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I’m a Young God, Won’t You Raise Me? — Chapter 8

Chapter 8

I narrowed my eyes‌‌ as I looked⁠ at the system‌​ window, wondering what‍⁠ the hell that⁠ ending was.

Of‌ course, the miracle‌ of the ■ symbols suddenly turning⁠⁠ into understandable letters⁠⁠⁠ did not happen.​​‌

The⁠‌ other system windows‌ that appeared afterward‍​‍ did not make‍ much more sense‍‌ either.

‘Han​ Goyo’ has revealed‍‌​ his name to‍ Akasha!

Current⁠ Popularity: 0.02%

Popularity?⁠​⁠

I had no idea​ who had learned​‍ my name for​‌​ me to gain⁠⁠​ such a tiny‍‌ amount as 0.01%‌​ popularity.

I was examining the​ system windows from​ every angle when‌⁠ something sudden happened.​

Smiley‍ began to melt.‌‍

His​‍ body turned into‍⁠ a mass of‌⁠‌ rainbow-colored liquid.

I didn’t even have​‌⁠ time to react.‌​

He‌ completely melted within‌​ seconds.

At‌ the same time,​‌ multiple rays of‍​ light flew from​ the remains of​​⁠ the collapsed factory.‍⁠

Like‍⁠ a meteor shower,‍ those lights merged‌‍ into the rainbow-colored​ liquid.

And‍‍‍ then.

Smiley‌⁠ disappeared.

He⁠ left behind only‌⁠ an unfamiliar candy.​‍

I slowly crouched down‌‌ and picked it‍ up.

Happy‌‍⁠ Smile Candy: Upon​ consuming it, a feeling of happiness‌‍​ accompanied by a smile washes over‍ you.

The⁠‌‌ rainbow-colored candy was​‍ shaped like Smiley’s⁠ face.

I stood still staring‍ at it when‌‌⁠ another system window⁠‍ appeared.

You​‍⁠ think you must‌⁠ consume this no‍ matter what.

When⁠ I had forcibly‌ accepted the system‌​‍ window’s request, I had expected something.​

I thought perhaps Smiley‍‌‍ and the toys⁠ would become items‍⁠​ that I could⁠‌ take outside.

But⁠​ I never imagined‍‍ it would happen‍ like this.

I stared at the​ candy for several​​ seconds.

Then‍‍ I carefully stored​ it in my‍​​ inventory.

The​‍ Trial has ended.‌‍

The‌‍ Trial will be⁠‌⁠ permanently closed in‌ 80 seconds.

“I-is​‌​ this… the True‍​ Ending?”

I turned toward Mo‌ Haein.

She⁠​⁠ had also read⁠‍‌ the system window.⁠

She​‌⁠ was looking at‌‍ me with trembling‍​ eyes.

“It’s‌ the True Ending,​⁠⁠ right…? I’m not⁠⁠ seeing things… right…?‌​ Permanent closure…”

True⁠​ Endings carried a special meaning.

They​‍ meant the permanent​‍‍ closure of the​​ Trial.

And‍ the return of​ all survivors.

A Trial completed through‍‌‌ the True Ending​ would never be‍ generated again.

Furthermore,‌ it expelled every‌​​ person trapped inside⁠​ it.

Every‍‍⁠ single one.

Even⁠ those who had‍​​ been trapped for⁠‌​ years.

Even‌‌ those who had‍⁠‍ undergone mutations would⁠ completely regain their‍ original bodies.

In‌‌ the case of‌‍‌ Happy Smile Factory,‍⁠⁠ all the factory⁠ employees would be‌‍​ rescued.

The⁠ True Ending was​‍‌ the only way‍ to save survivors‌⁠⁠ trapped inside a Trial.

However,‍⁠‌ the difficulty was‌⁠‍ practically impossible.

Successful​‍​ cases were extremely‍⁠ rare.

When​ I first started‌ playing Archive World,‍‌ an NPC had​ told me that⁠​​ there were only⁠ nine confirmed cases⁠⁠‌ in the entire‌ world.

“Yes.‌‌⁠ It’s the True‍‍​ Ending.”

I gave Mo Haein‍ a slight smile.‍​​

“Good‌‍⁠ work, Captain.”

“……”​​​

Mo‍ Haein stared at⁠⁠ me without saying⁠‍‍ anything.

Suddenly,⁠ her face twisted.‌⁠⁠

She​ abruptly turned her‌‌‌ head away.

I could see her⁠⁠​ neck reddening with​​⁠ emotion.

Normally,⁠‌ she wasn’t the‌ type of person‍ who expressed her​‍‍ feelings so openly.⁠‍

So‌ I looked away⁠⁠​ and gave her​​‌ time to calm​​​ herself.

Fortunately,​ it didn’t take⁠⁠ long for her‍​​ to regain her​ composure.

When⁠ she was back​‍⁠ to her usual‌​​ self, she spoke⁠​ quietly.

“…Thank⁠ you.”

There⁠⁠ would probably be​ a lot of​‌‌ problems explaining my‍‌⁠ existence once we‌ got out of‍⁠ there.

But⁠⁠ at least it​‌ seemed she no⁠​‌ longer intended to​ treat me like⁠‍‌ a suspicious smuggler.‍​

At‌‍‌ that moment, another‍‍​ system window appeared.‌

You⁠ are the top‌​ contributor of .

You‌‌​ may take 1 item with you.⁠‌

By‌‌⁠ completing the True‍⁠ Ending or certain‍ special endings, the​‍​ players with the‍⁠‍ highest contribution could​​‌ take items out​​ of the Trial.⁠⁠

In‌ Happy Smile Factory,​‌ only the top‍‍‌ contributor received that‌⁠‌ privilege.

I chose the Happy​‍‍ Smile Candy without​ hesitation.

Mo‍‍‍ Haein seemed curious⁠‌‍ about what I had chosen.

But‌‌⁠ she didn’t ask.⁠​

She​ probably thought she⁠​‍ would have plenty‌‍ of time to⁠​‌ interrogate me later.‍‍

Eighty​‌ seconds later, the⁠⁠⁠ system window announced‌​​ the end.

The⁠‌‌ scenery before my‍ eyes folded in‍ on itself and‌⁠ became stained with‌ multiple fluorescent colors.‍

I had returned to​​⁠ the outside of⁠‍⁠ the Trial.

The‌ place where Happy‌‌ Smile Factory had⁠‍ appeared was an‍‌​ abandoned industrial complex.‍​

Inside⁠ the area cordoned‌‍‍ off with police​‌‌ tape, unconscious people⁠⁠ were scattered everywhere.‍⁠‌

The‌⁠ wind was cold.‍‍

I was wearing only‍‌ a white short-sleeved⁠⁠​ T-shirt and gray‌‍‍ sweatpants.

I tried rubbing my​‍ arms to warm⁠‍‌ myself.

“Ugh…”⁠⁠⁠

But‍​‌ I ended up‌⁠‍ suppressing a groan.‍

In​‍ addition to the‌‌⁠ wound on my‌⁠⁠ thigh, I had⁠‍ multiple minor injuries​‍‌ scattered across my‌‍⁠ body.

‘If‌⁠⁠ this had just‍ been the game,‍⁠ I would have‍⁠ cleared it without⁠ taking a single⁠​ hit.’

There​ was definitely a huge difference between‍⁠ pressing keys and‍​ moving a mouse.‌‌⁠

And⁠​⁠ actually moving your‌ body.

Even‌ though I trained‍ every single day⁠‌​ without fail, I could clearly feel⁠ my physical limitations.‌

With‍‍‌ only the basic​‍ physical abilities granted​‌ by the game,⁠ a no-damage run⁠‍ was impossible.

‘I‌ suppose the Agency⁠‍⁠ will give me‌ medical treatment when‌​ they take me​​ in, right?’

Since⁠‍​ things had ended‍‍⁠ up this way,‍‌ I planned to​⁠ take advantage of⁠‍ the opportunity and‌‌ have the Agency​‌ investigate my current​ situation more thoroughly.​‌⁠

And⁠⁠ while I was‌​‍ at it, temporarily‌‍‌ rely on them⁠⁠ for food, lodging,⁠‌ and everything else.​

I looked around.

In​ the distance, I could see Mo‌​​ Haein waking up.‌⁠​

Dressed​‍‌ in her Agency⁠ uniform, she stood⁠ out easily among⁠‌‌ the civilians.

I was about to‌ limp over toward⁠‍ her when—

“Don’t⁠ move.”

I felt something cold‌‍‌ against my neck.​

I shifted my eyes.​​

It​ was a fixed-blade‍‍ military knife.

‘Ah.⁠ Park Seonggyeon.’

I had completely forgotten​‍ about him.

I couldn’t help letting⁠ out a short‍‍‍ laugh.

“You’re​⁠​ laughing? Damn it,‌​‍ Goyo. Do you​ really think this‌​ is funny?”

“Then‌​​ should I be‌‍ crying?”

“…What?”⁠‌

When‌ I answered him⁠ casually, Park Seonggyeon​ looked bewildered for⁠⁠⁠ a moment.

I looked down at​​​ him.

He⁠ still seemed to‌ think I was​ that meek and⁠⁠ friendly university student.‌​‌

“Park‍​ Seonggyeon!”

At‍‌‌ that moment, Mo‌‌‍ Haein fully regained‌‌ consciousness.

She⁠⁠ pointed a pistol‍⁠⁠ at him.

“I’ll‌⁠ give you one‍⁠⁠ last chance. Step‌ away.”

However,​ the hand holding​⁠ the gun trembled‍⁠​ slightly.

She⁠​‍ had been the‍‍‌ one carrying almost‌‌ the entire boss‍​​ fight in HasFac.‍

Her​⁠⁠ physical condition was⁠ so bad that‌ she should have‍ been on her⁠‍​ way to a hospital.

Meanwhile,‌⁠‌ Park Seonggyeon was‌​‍ perfectly fine.

While​⁠​ Mo Haein and​​ I had been‍ fighting to our‍​​ limits, he had​ been hiding and‍‌ calmly waiting for‍​ the end.

“Captain‍‍​ Mo Haein!”

Knowing‍ that perfectly well,‍‌ Park Seonggyeon grinned‌ shamelessly.

“I’ll‌‌​ give you a chance too. Hand⁠​ over the Black​​‌ Moon Blade.”

“Aren’t‍⁠ you afraid of⁠ the Agency?”

“Yeeees,‍⁠‍ not at all.”‍

“If‍ it’s money you⁠⁠⁠ want, I can⁠ give you more…”‍‌

“Ha.‍‌ Mo Haein. Mo‍ Haein.”

“……”‍⁠

“Don’t​​ you understand what​‌‍ I’m saying? Hand⁠⁠ over the Black⁠ Moon Blade!”

Shiiing.‍‍

The​‌ blade slid across⁠⁠ my neck.

A thin red line‌​ appeared.

And​ while Mo Haein‍ and Park Seonggyeon​ argued.

I was reading the​​ system windows that‍‍​ kept appearing nonstop.​‌

You​​ know that ‘Park‍ Seonggyeon (Sample)’ will‌ not leave any‍‌⁠ hostage alive.

You⁠‍ feel anger at‌‌⁠ his insolent behavior.‌​

You‌‌ think about how⁠‍ to discipline a dog that dares⁠ to try biting‍‍ its owner without‌‌​ recognizing who he‌ is.

Fortunately,‍​ an appropriate method​‍‍ comes to mind!​‌

You​ wish to review⁠ the ‘Execution’ option.​​

I had no idea‌⁠ what exactly “Execution”‌ was, but the​‌ system windows were‍‍ obsessively insisting that⁠‍ I use it.‌

‘From‌ the sound of⁠‌ it, it doesn’t​‍‍ seem like it’ll⁠⁠ be pleasant.’

But​ at this rate,⁠‍‍ they were about​⁠⁠ to take the​⁠ Black Moon Blade,‍‌‍ and I was‍⁠ about to bleed‍‌ to death.

Blood​ was still flowing‍‍ from my thigh.‌‍

‘Execute⁠ Park Seonggyeon.’

You‍ are about to⁠ execute ‘Park Seonggyeon⁠‌‍ (Sample).’ This decision‍ is irreversible and‍⁠ will cause a permanent change in‍​ Akasha.

Do‌ you wish to⁠ execute ‘Park Seonggyeon‌‌ (Sample)’?

The⁠‍⁠ options appeared before‌‌​ me.

— Yes.

— I want to‍​ execute him.

— Dooo it!

Even‍⁠ though my vision‌ was blurring, the⁠‌⁠ system window was​‍ so absurd that‌‌‍ it made me​‌ laugh.

“Park‍‍‍ Seonggyeon.”

Park⁠​ Seonggyeon, who had‍‌​ been facing off‌‌‍ against Mo Haein,‍‌ flinched and looked⁠​​ at me.

I smiled weakly and‍‍​ said,

“I’ll⁠ give you one​ last chance. Let‌ her go.”

“Has​ this bastard gone⁠‌ crazy…?”

For⁠‌ some reason, Park⁠ Seonggyeon’s voice trembled⁠​ slightly.

As‌⁠​ if he were‍ afraid.

I chose “Dooo it!”​⁠⁠

Executing‍ ‘Park Seonggyeon (Sample)’!‌⁠

A fanfare played.

It⁠‌ was such a cheerful sound that‌‍ it felt as⁠​ though confetti should‌ have been raining‌ everywhere.

And​‍ then came the⁠ sound of fireworks‍ exploding.

No.‌‍

They‌​ weren’t fireworks.

It‍ was the sound⁠ of Park Seonggyeon’s‌‍ head exploding.

His​​⁠ shattered head transformed​⁠ into golden light.‌‌

It‍ shone brilliantly, as‍ if stars had‌⁠‍ been scattered everywhere.‌

The‌‌ headless body also​⁠⁠ began crumbling apart‍⁠ and turning into‌ golden particles.

Beyond‍ that radiance, I saw Mo Haein.⁠⁠

She‍ was standing motionless,‌⁠ aiming her gun⁠ at me.

And​ she remained there‍ watching me.

Until‍‍ the very last‌‍⁠ particle of light‍ disappeared.

Without​ lowering her gun⁠ even once.

‘This‌ is a problem.’‌

I had thought Park​‍​ Seonggyeon might die.​‍

But⁠ I had never⁠ imagined he would‌ be eliminated in⁠ such a spectacular⁠ fashion.

And‍⁠ outside a Trial,‌​ no less.

‘This‍‌​ is way too‍‍ suspicious.’

Cold‌⁠ sweat ran down‍ my back, but⁠ the system window‌ simply displayed another​ carefree message.

You‌‌ currently have ‘0​‍ registered characters.’

You‍​​ wish to register​​⁠ ‘Mo Haein’ as​ a new character.⁠

Ignoring‍⁠ the system window‍‌ floating in front‍‌ of me, I opened my mouth.​

“Uh…‌‍⁠ Captain?”

Just‍⁠​ as I cautiously⁠⁠ called out to⁠​ her.

“Captain​​ Mo Haein, what‍‌‌ the hell is‌​‌ going on? Did⁠ you get the‌ shit beaten out⁠ of you inside⁠⁠‌ the Trial?”

I turned around.

Space​​ tore open in​ midair, and a man in a Trial Response Agency⁠‍‍ uniform stepped out​​​ through it.

He‍‌‍ was a tall​‍ man with an‌​⁠ athletic build.

His⁠‌ red-dyed hair fluttered⁠⁠ messily in the⁠‌​ wind.

Planting‍‍ a military boot‌ on the ground,‌⁠ he stood with​‌ a relaxed posture⁠⁠⁠ and a mocking‍‌⁠ smile.

“What‍‍ were you doing⁠ to come out‍‍‍ only now, Captain​​ Mo?”

The‍​‌ smile disappeared from‌ his face.

His⁠‌ eyes hardened as⁠‌ he looked over‍ the abandoned industrial‍‍⁠ complex.

Hundreds⁠ of people lay​ unconscious everywhere.

He‌⁠ immediately understood what‍ that meant.

In⁠​ a low voice,​‌ he asked,

“Haein.⁠⁠ Is it a True Ending?”

I didn’t see it⁠‌ because I was‍ looking at him,‍​ but it seemed⁠‍‍ Mo Haein answered​‌ with a nod‍‍ from behind me.‌⁠‍

The⁠​ man stood motionless‍ for several moments,‌ unable to speak.​‌⁠

I knew who he‌ was.

Captain‌ Kwak Hanmuk.

Leader‌ of Field Team⁠ 3 of the​ Trial Response Agency.‍

Along‍​‌ with Mo Haein,​​⁠ he was considered‌⁠‌ one of the‌⁠ Agency’s greatest talents.⁠‍

‘As‍⁠ expected, Captain Kwak‌ is really tall.’⁠​‌

I wasn’t short either,‌‌‍ but he still‍‌‌ had a full‍‌ head of height​‌ on me.

While‌‍‌ I was observing‌⁠ him curiously, he‍‍⁠ finally noticed me​​ as well.

Seeing​ the state of⁠ my injuries, he​⁠ seemed to immediately‌ realize that I had contributed to⁠ the Trial’s success.‌

Kwak​ Hanmuk’s eyes sharpened.​‌

Just​​⁠ then, Mo Haein​‌ muttered,

“Who‌ would’ve thought the‍‍‍ day would come‍ when I’d be‌​‍ glad to see‌ you, Hanmuk.”

When‍ I heard her,‌‍‍ I tried to‍‌⁠ turn around.

But‌ I stopped.

Suddenly.⁠

Mo‍‌​ Haein wrapped her⁠ arms around my​​⁠ waist from behind.​

For‌ an emotional embrace‍ celebrating our escape⁠⁠⁠ from HasFac.

It‌‌​ seemed a bit​ excessive.

“Hanmuk.”‌​​

Ah.​⁠

“Restrain‍ him.”

The​ instant she gave‌ that brief order,‍‌ a metallic sound⁠ rang out.

A long rosary shot​‌‍ toward me.

Before‍‌ I could react,‍⁠ the rosary beads​​ completely wrapped around‍ me.

With‌​‌ incredible precision, he​ avoided trapping Mo⁠‍ Haein and immobilized‍⁠​ only me.

And‍⁠ as if that⁠⁠ weren’t enough, they‍​ put a new​‍‌ pair of handcuffs​ on me.

Having​ been turned into‍ an extremely dangerous⁠⁠‌ criminal, I looked​⁠⁠ at Mo Haein​ with a stunned‍‍​ expression.

“Mr.​‌‍ Han Goyo, you‍ are under emergency⁠⁠‍ arrest on suspicion⁠⁠‌ of constituting a national disaster.”

She⁠ continued rapidly.

“You⁠ do not have​‌ the right to‍‍ remain silent, you​⁠⁠ do not have⁠‌ the right to⁠‌⁠ an attorney, and⁠⁠⁠ anything you say‌ or do from‌‌ this moment onward‍⁠ may be used⁠‍‍ against you in⁠ court.”

It‍‍ was the Trial​ Response Agency’s version​​‌ of the Miranda‍⁠‍ warning.

I never imagined I would hear such​‍⁠ words directed at⁠ me.

And⁠‍‌ then she concluded‌‍ coldly.

“Knock‌ him out.”

The‌​ rosary beads emitted‌⁠‌ a flash.

And⁠ I lost consciousness.‌‌⁠

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