I’m a Young God, Won’t You Raise Me? — Chapter 33

Chapter 33

I stared at the⁠‌ system window announcing‍⁠ the Trial’s completion.⁠⁠

Then⁠‌ I slowly raised‌ my head and‍‍ looked around.

There‍‌ was no one.‌

Lee Seon, who had‌⁠ been crying black⁠‌ tears of blood,‍‌‍ and Tak Jucheol‍‌‌ and Paeng Sangdo,⁠⁠ who had kept‍ screaming like a chorus.

All‌ of them had disappeared without a trace.

‘I⁠⁠ didn’t even get‍‌ to say goodbye⁠‍ to them.’

I remembered Smiley, who‍‍ had turned into‍ an item right‍‌ before my eyes.‌‌

Seeing‍⁠ something similar happen⁠‌‍ for the second‌⁠‌ time left me‌ with a strange‍⁠⁠ sense of emptiness.‌

Even‌ though I knew‌ they were only‌ NPCs, while I was inside the‍ Trial I almost‍⁠ never thought of⁠ them that way.‌

They⁠ had been alive right in front‍ of me.

And‌ because of that,‍ I constantly forgot‍ that they were‌‍ beings destined to‌‍‍ disappear, unconsciously convincing‌⁠‌ myself that I would always be‍‌ able to see them again.

Without‍‍ caring how I felt, the system‍‌ continued displaying one‌⁠ notification after another.⁠‍⁠

◆ Epic Quest (Han‌‌⁠ Goyo): Close 3 Trials within one‌ month.Trials Closed: (1/3)⁠⁠⁠
(Warning!⁠ If you fail‌‌ the mission, you‌ will lose all‍ four limbs. If‌‍ you succeed, you‍⁠ will keep all four limbs.)
‘Han‌ Goyo’ has made‍ his name known to Akasha!
■■‌‍⁠ ■■■ has turned⁠ its attention toward⁠ you.
Current⁠ Fame: 0.05%

I pushed aside that‍‍⁠ feeling of emptiness‍⁠ and continued reading.⁠⁠

‘Wow,‌⁠‌ the Fame.’

Last⁠⁠⁠ time it had only increased by⁠‍‌ 0.01%.

But⁠‌ now it had⁠⁠ gone up by a full 0.03%.‍

They‍‌ had been quite⁠ generous.

Although I still had‍⁠‌ no idea what‍ increasing that number‍‌ was actually for.‍

‘And⁠ I also don’t‌‌⁠ know what it‍ means that those⁠ black blocks have‌ turned their attention‍⁠ toward me.’

I lowered my gaze‌ to the portable⁠‌ cassette player in⁠ my hand.

At‍ that moment, another‌‌ system window appeared.‌

You‍‌⁠ believe you should‌ listen to this⁠‍ music no matter⁠ what.

It‍‌ was very similar to the message‍‍ that had appeared‌⁠ when I obtained‌‍ the Happy Smile⁠ Candy.

In⁠⁠ any case, I had already planned⁠‍⁠ to check it.‌‍‍

I wanted to know‍ why its contents‌‍‍ had changed and⁠‍ listen to the songs.

‘I’ll⁠ have Samra listen⁠ to it.’

Since‌‌ it might be‍ dangerous, I planned‍⁠ to have Samra,‌‍⁠ who probably wouldn’t‌‍ have any problems‌ with it, listen⁠ to it instead‍ of me.

The‌ Trial (Dead Zone‍‌ Delivery) has ended.⁠‍
The Trial will be⁠ permanently closed in‍‍‌ 80 seconds.
You‍‌‍ are the greatest⁠‍ contributor to the‍ Trial (Dead Zone⁠ Delivery).
You⁠ may take ‘2’‍ items.

Just‍⁠ as I had‍⁠ expected, the greatest‍ contributor notification appeared.‌‍

I had already decided‍ what one of‍ the items would‌‍‍ be.

The⁠‌ portable cassette player.‌

The⁠ difficult part was⁠ choosing the second⁠‍ one.

I wanted to ask⁠ Captain Kwak and‍‍⁠ Captain Mo whether‌ there was an‌ item that could‌ be useful to‌⁠ the Trial Response⁠ Agency, but since‍⁠ they weren’t there,⁠‍ I would have‌ to decide on‌⁠ my own.

However,‍ in the end‍ I didn’t even‌ get the chance to think about‍‍ it.

“…Huh?”‍

Item‌ selection has been‍‍ completed.

I could no longer‌ choose another item.‍⁠‍

Apparently, the player and‍‌‌ the cassette inside‍‍ it had been recognized as two‍ separate items.

‘I‌ can’t change it?’‍

I immediately regretted it.‌

I was going to‍‍ leave the Trial‌ with nothing but‍⁠ a cassette player.

But⁠⁠⁠ there wasn’t any‍ button to cancel⁠‌‌ the selection.

“Cancel.‍ Change. Undo…”

Swallowing‍‍ my embarrassment, I tried every command‌ I could think⁠ of.

The‍ system window didn’t‌ respond.

It⁠ seemed I had no choice but‍ to become someone‌ passionate about music.

‘I‌⁠⁠ found it inside‌ the Trial. Maybe‍ it contains music‌‍ that doesn’t exist‍⁠⁠ anywhere in human⁠ history.’

Who knows.

Maybe‍‌ it would become‌ a revolutionary breakthrough‌‍‍ for the world‍ of music.

Hoping‌‍ that would be‌ the case, I carefully put away‍ the cassette player.

Eighty‍‌ seconds later.

The⁠‌⁠ entire world crumpled‌⁠ into a swirl‌‍ of colors.

And‌‌ I returned outside‌ the Trial.

It⁠ had been a very long time since I had‌ experienced something like⁠ this.

In‍⁠‌ the real world,⁠ probably only five or six days‍‌‌ had passed.

Before⁠⁠ I even opened‌‌ my eyes on‌ the laboratory’s cold‌⁠‍ floor, intense pain‌ shot through my⁠‌ entire body.

“Ugh…”‌⁠

A groan escaped on⁠ its own.

I remained lying face‌ down as I endured the pain.⁠

The‍ bandages and stitches that had treated⁠‍ my wounds inside‌ Dead Zone Delivery‌⁠ had completely disappeared.

As‌ the price for becoming the greatest‌ contributor, I stayed⁠‍ curled up motionless for quite a while.

‘I‍ don’t remember it‍‌ hurting this much‍ inside Dead Zone⁠‍ Delivery.’

It⁠ seemed even the‍ painkillers’ effects had‌ vanished.

After⁠‌ groaning for a while, I finally‍‍⁠ managed to lift‍‍ my head and‌‍ look around.

The‍‍ first people I saw were Captain⁠‍ Kwak and Captain‍ Mo.

It seemed they still‌ hadn’t regained consciousness.‍‍

Since⁠ I had ended‌ up alone inside‌‍ the Trial, I had been a little worried that⁠‍ something might have‌ gone wrong.

Fortunately,‍ they were fine.‌

‘What‌ about Lieutenant Colonel Je?’

Even‍ though he was‌‍ the one I needed to worry‌‌ about the least,‌‍‌ I looked for‌‌ him while checking⁠ on everyone else.⁠‌‍

Je‌ Hyuno was sitting‌ in the farthest‌ corner.

His⁠⁠ back was resting‌‌ against the wall.

From‌‌ his posture, it‍‍ looked as though‍‍ he had already⁠ awakened.

He⁠⁠ was wearing exactly‌ the same clothes⁠ he had worn‌ inside the Trial.‍‌‌

The⁠⁠‍ protective goggles, the‌ gas mask, the⁠ hooded sweatshirt, and the combat uniform.‌

With‌ his metallic arm hanging limply at‍‍ his side, he⁠ looked like a giant toy robot‍‌ whose batteries had⁠ run out.

Although,‌ of course.

He‌ was the last‍ person in the⁠⁠ world who could‌ be described with‍‌ such an endearing⁠ comparison.

It⁠⁠ gave me a strange feeling.

I had witnessed with⁠‍ my own eyes‍⁠‌ how Je Hyuno‍ had torn through‍ the Trial.

The⁠‌‌ image of him‍‍ enjoying himself while massacring zombies was‍ still etched vividly‍ into my memory.⁠

And⁠‌ yet.

Now‌‍⁠ that we had‍⁠ returned to reality,⁠‌‌ he seemed completely hollow.

As‌ though he had‌‌ lost all will.

I cautiously called out⁠⁠‍ to him while⁠‌ remaining still.

“Lieutenant‌⁠ Colonel Je.”

Then.‍‍

The‍ face that had‍‌ been lowered toward⁠‌ the floor slowly began to rise.⁠‌

My‍‍ reflection appeared on‌‌ his goggles.

“Uh…”‍

I had called him.‍

But‌ now that he‍⁠ was standing before‌ me, I didn’t‍‌ know what to‌‌ say.

So⁠⁠ I settled on‌ a harmless topic.⁠

“Did‍ something happen? I wasn’t there when⁠ we completed the‍ Trial, so…”

I continued speaking while‍‍ lying face down‌⁠ with my head‍ barely raised.

Then I flinched.

Je‌‍ Hyuno had suddenly‌‌ stood up.

A gleam flashed across‍⁠ his goggles.

*^⁠ ^*

On‌ either side of‌‌ the smiling emoticon‍ on his goggles,‍ a new symbol⁠‍⁠ appeared.

Lieutenant‌ Colonel Je transformed‌‍ both of his⁠ metallic hands into⁠‌ crow gauntlets and⁠‍ walked toward me.‍‌⁠

He crouched right in⁠ front of me‌ and began lightly⁠ tapping me with‌ his hand.

As‍ if he were checking whether I was really still‍‌‌ alive.

In‌‌‍ an almost inaudible‍ voice, I replied.⁠‌

“…I’m⁠⁠ still alive.”

After‍ all, corpses don’t⁠‍ talk.

Lieutenant‌‍ Colonel Je withdrew‌‌‌ his hand.

“Lieutenant⁠ Colonel Je.”

? ?

“Are⁠⁠ you satisfied now?”⁠

I didn’t know exactly‍ what he wanted⁠⁠ from me, but‍⁠⁠ he had told me not to‍‌ die, so even‍⁠‍ after ending up inside the Boss⁠⁠‍ Monster’s guts, I had managed to⁠ make it back‍‌‍ alive.

‘That‍⁠‍ should be enough,‍‍ right?’

From‌‍ now on, I just wanted to⁠⁠ focus on clearing‌‌⁠ Trials in a peaceful team environment.‌‌

‘Please.’⁠

I looked at him‌‍ with all the sincerity I could⁠ muster.

“Yes.”⁠‌

He‌ answered quietly while‌ moving the fingers‌ inside his leather‍‌ gloves as if‌ he were playing‍‌ a piano.

Since they were no⁠ longer metallic hands,⁠ there was no longer that characteristic⁠⁠‌ clack.

As⁠⁠ he looked at‌ me, he said,⁠

“Goyo.”‌‍‌

“…”

“Live‌‌ a long time.”⁠

‘After‌ throwing me into the mouth of‍‍ a Boss Monster,‌ now you’re telling me to live‍‌‍ a long time?’⁠

But‍ I quickly remembered‌‍ I was dealing⁠ with Lieutenant Colonel‌⁠ Je and gave‍ up trying to‌‌ understand him.

‘As‌‍ long as he⁠‌ isn’t telling me‍ to die, I guess that’s good⁠‌ enough.’

In‍‌ any case, if⁠ he was telling⁠⁠‍ me to live a long time‍⁠ now, maybe I no longer had‍ to worry about‍ my life.

It⁠ felt as though‌‌ I had finally‍ passed the true⁠‍‌ initiation rite.

Lieutenant Colonel Je pressed‌ the earpiece in⁠ his ear.

Immediately,⁠‌ I heard Samra’s‌‍ voice.

— Mr. Han Goyo.⁠

I reported the situation.⁠⁠⁠

“(Dead⁠⁠ Zone Delivery) has‍‌ been closed. The‌⁠ entire Special Missions‌‍ Team will be‌⁠ returning to the‌‍‍ Trial Response Agency.”‌

Nothing‍‍ was heard for⁠‍ a few moments.‍⁠⁠

Just⁠‌ as I thought‌ the connection had‍‌‍ been cut, the‌⁠ reply came.

— Understood, Mr. Goyo.⁠‍‌ We’ll be waiting‍ for you.

Perhaps‍ it wasn’t an‌⁠⁠ appropriate way to‌ describe an android.‍

But‍ I had the‍ impression that he⁠⁠⁠ was happy.

In‌‌ that calm voice,⁠ Samra announced the‍‍ result.

— The Special Missions‍‌ Team’s first mission⁠‌‍ has been completed.‍

As‍ soon as we‍‍ returned to the‌‌ Trial Response Agency,‍ we immediately received‌‍ medical treatment.

The‌‍‌ wounds that had‌‍‌ been stitched up inside Dead Zone Delivery reopened and‍ began bleeding again.⁠⁠

Since‌ I had already‍‍ lost too much‍ blood, I came⁠⁠ close to entering‌ a critical condition.⁠‌

Captain‍‍⁠ Mo and Captain Kwak also remained‌ unconscious for quite‍ a while.

It‌ was a side effect of the zombification process.

Captain⁠ Mo in particular,‌⁠ who had completely‌‍ turned into a zombie for a time, took even‌⁠ longer to wake⁠⁠‌ up.

Fortunately,‌ aside from that,‍ there were no‍⁠‍ major complications.

As‍⁠ soon as Lieutenant⁠‌ Colonel Je returned‍ to the Trial‍ Response Agency, he⁠ was sent into⁠ another short Trial⁠ that could be‌ completed before the‌‌‍ Special Missions Team’s‍ next mission.

It⁠‌ was the official⁠‌ punishment for attacking⁠‌ a fellow team‍ member.

Although, to be honest,⁠⁠⁠ he probably wanted⁠ to enter another‌ Trial himself.

Besides,‍‌ he would be‍ back in time⁠‌ for the next‌ mission, so I wasn’t too worried.⁠‌

After‌‌ the treatment.

I was the one‌ who remained unconscious even longer than the two Captains.⁠

“…?”

And‍ the moment I opened my eyes.‍‌

I had a rather⁠ strange experience.

Snip.‍

Snip, snip.

Someone‌ was trimming my fingernails with a small pair of scissors.

I was so startled‍‍ that I didn’t even show any⁠⁠ sign that I had woken up.‍‌

I simply watched the⁠ scene unfold.

The⁠‍ person who was‍⁠⁠ completely focused on‌‍‌ clipping my nails‍ noticed my gaze‌‍ a few seconds‌ later and looked⁠‌‍ up.

“Ahhh!”‍

She⁠‍ was the one‍‌ who screamed.

Although‌ I felt that‌ I should have‌‍‍ been the one‌‍ screaming, I decided‌⁠ to stay calm‍ and find out‌ who she was⁠‍ first.

“Who⁠ are you?”

She⁠⁠‌ was a woman⁠⁠ with round cheeks.‌

She‌ wore oversized round‍ glasses and a white lab coat.‌⁠

Rather‍‌ than a doctor,‌‌ she looked like‌ a researcher.

Especially‍‍ because of the‍‍ way she was‍ looking at me.‌‌

It⁠ was exactly the same expression Lee‌‍⁠ Gaon had worn⁠⁠ when she discovered‍ that I was‍ the cure.

“H-Hello…⁠ I… uh… I’m‍ from the Second‍‌‌ Department…”

“You‍‍⁠ mean the Analysis‍‌ and Research Division?”‌‍

“Y-Yes…”‌‍‌

The⁠‍ woman repeatedly bowed‌ her head in‍ greeting.

Meanwhile,‌ she continued holding‍‍ the sample tube⁠‌‌ containing my fingernails‌‍ with extreme care.

In⁠⁠ an almost inaudible‍ voice, she introduced‍‌ herself.

“My‌‍ name is Han⁠‌ Jiwol… and… I’m⁠‌ the Director of the Division.”

The‍‍ moment I heard‍ her name, I clenched my fist⁠‌ to protect the fingernails I still‌ had left.

“Ah…‌‌ ah…”

Han‍ Jiwol’s eyes and‍‌ mouth widened.

It seemed she still‍⁠ hadn’t collected as‍⁠ many fingernails as‌ she wanted.

‘Thank goodness… although, now‌⁠‌ that I think‌ about it, maybe‍‍ that’s not such‍‍ good news.’

Han‌⁠‍ Jiwol.

Director‌⁠ of the Analysis‌‍ and Research Division.‍

She⁠‍‍ wasn’t a character‌ who appeared very‌ often while playing⁠ Archive World.

And⁠ there was a very simple reason‌ for that.

Encountering‍ Han Jiwol meant,‍‌‍ with one hundred‍⁠ percent certainty.

‘A⁠‍ Bad Ending.’

She‌‍ only appeared in⁠⁠ the ending where‍ the player was⁠ taken to the‌‌ laboratory to become‌ a test subject‍ and suffer all kinds of horrors.

I knew perfectly well‌ how far her experiments on human‌ beings could go.‍‍‍

It‍ was impossible not to be afraid.‍

As‌ I trembled inwardly,‍‍ my salvation appeared.

“Mr.‍⁠‌ Han Goyo. You’re awake.”

The one who had⁠⁠ just entered the‌‍‌ room was Samra.‌

I had never been‌ so happy to⁠ see him.

“Yes!‍ I’m perfectly fine.‍‌⁠ I can be discharged right away.”⁠⁠‍

“Ah…⁠ ah…”

Han‍‌⁠ Jiwol looked uneasy‌ in front of⁠‍ me.

I pretended not to‍ notice.

At⁠ the same time, I shot Samra⁠ a pleading look.⁠‌

Only‍‍ after gathering enough⁠ data about my⁠ physical reactions did‍ he decide to‌ rescue me.

“Director‍‍ Han Jiwol. Would⁠ you mind leaving‍ us alone? I need to discuss the next mission⁠ with Mr. Han‌ Goyo.”

“Ah… Samra… I still…‌⁠ I’ve only collected⁠ 0.06 grams of⁠⁠ fingernails… I wanted⁠ to obtain more⁠‍ samples…”

“You⁠⁠⁠ have already gathered‍‌ sufficient data for⁠ analysis. Anything you⁠⁠ wish to obtain‌⁠ from this point⁠ onward is solely‍‍ for your personal‌ interests.”

“That…”⁠⁠

Han‍⁠ Jiwol could no‍⁠ longer reply.

She‌ simply closed her⁠⁠ mouth.

And‍ Samra escorted her‍‌‌ out of the‌⁠ room with complete‍ naturalness.

“Thank‍ you.”

“So‍‍ you know Director⁠‌ Han Jiwol as‌‌ well.”

“Not⁠ very well.”

Samra⁠‍ remained standing beside⁠ the bed.

Since‌⁠ he was so⁠ tall, it was‍⁠ difficult to look⁠‍ at him from‌ below.

Seeing⁠⁠⁠ me strain my‍ neck to look⁠‌ up at him,‌‌‍ he took a seat of his‌‍‍ own accord.

“How⁠ are the Captains?”‌‍

“Captain‍‍ Kwak Hanmuk and‌ Captain Mo Haein‌ have already returned⁠ to their respective⁠‍‍ teams to resume‌‌‍ their duties.”

It⁠‍ was a relief⁠‍ to know they‌⁠ were both all⁠ right.

Samra then moved on⁠ to discuss the⁠‌ next mission.

“It‌ is still under‌‌ discussion, but all⁠ indications suggest that⁠ the Special Missions⁠‌ Team’s second mission⁠ will be (Clean!⁠‍ Clean! Clean!).”

We were scheduled to‌⁠ enter in one‍‌ week.

He‌ also added that‍ if I wished‌⁠ to change the⁠‌ entry date, I could let him‌‍ know.

But⁠ the one who‍‍‌ truly didn’t have‍‌‌ any time was‌‍ me.

‘My⁠⁠ four limbs…’

I replied that there⁠‍ was no need to change the‍‌ date.

Honestly,⁠ one week was⁠ enough for Clean!‌ Clean! Clean!

Compared⁠‍⁠ to Dead Zone⁠‍‍ Delivery, it was‌ a much simpler‌⁠ Trial.

Instead,‌ I made another⁠‍‌ request.

“There’s⁠⁠ an item I’d‍ like to obtain‌ before we begin the mission.”

“I’ll⁠⁠⁠ submit a request‌⁠ to the Asset‌ Management Division.”

“Well…‌ the Trial Response‍⁠ Agency doesn’t have‌ it. As far⁠ as I know,‌ there’s only one⁠⁠⁠ in all of‍ Korea, and it⁠ belongs to the‌‍ Chairman of the‌‍ Cheongang Group.”

The‍‍‌ moment he heard‍‌ that, Samra immediately understood which item I meant.

“Proper⁠ Appearance?”

“Yes.‌ That item will‌‌‌ be a great⁠ help in clearing⁠ the Trial. Do‍ you think it⁠ would be possible‌ to request the‍‌ Chairman’s cooperation?”

“It‍ is possible.”

“…!”‌

Judging by the certainty⁠ in his reply,⁠ it really seemed‍ possible.

But‍‌⁠ before I could⁠ feel relieved, Samra⁠ added something completely unexpected.

“However, you will have⁠⁠ to meet the‍‌ Chairman of the⁠ Cheongang Group personally⁠⁠‍ and convince him.”‌

“Excuse‌ me?”

“The⁠⁠ Chairman of the Cheongang Group will‌‍ never hand that‍‌‌ item over to⁠⁠ anyone except you.”‍‍

I didn’t understand.

If⁠‌ it came down‍ to persuading him,‍‍‌ someone of high‍‍ rank from the‌ Trial Response Agency‌ would have a much better chance‍ than I would.‍‌‍