Chapter Text
The Streets of Seoul were bustling. Students and workers going in and out of buildings and crossing the open roads. The same road filled with numerous vehicles as one of which drives through a green, suddenly startled to a stop as a hooded man slides on its front.
“HEY! STOP RIGHT THERE!”
A group of officers were in pursuit of the man, dashing through pedestrians and maneuvering through multiple alleyways. The chase went on for quite some time until the officers eventually reached a subway station.
“Where the hell did that guy go? Excuse me, have you seen a hooded man pass by here?”
One of the Officers asked a passerby and was pointed to a certain direction. After thanking him, they continued their pursuit for the hooded man on the pointed direction.
As the Officers left, the passerby started walking near the tracks as he took out a stack of money from his reversible jacket, currently adorned in black to match his same colored pants and cyan shirt, and started counting. His curly hair swayed as from the wind caused by a subway’s arrival. Finishing his count, he shoved the money back to his pocket as his black eyes looked at the subway doors opening before adjusting the monocle hanging on his right eye as he entered the train.
“How Foolish”
‘Amon’
Amon was a rich man, living a stable life like any fortunate person would. But it was a life lacking satisfaction. He was a thrill seeker, a troublemaker, mischievous who loves to test his limits, from harmless pranks to punishable crimes, Amon likes to experiment just how for he could get away with anything.
The world is a boring place, that’s what the sight outside tells him. If only it was a little more interesting, maybe a simple change in the rules could create such a difference. But alas, it was a world than only he would desire. Nothing more but a wish.
Amon sighed as he looked back to his phone, searching through a variety of contents to pass the time. It was then that the time struck 7:00.
The train’s tracks screeched as it came to an abrupt stop. Passengers were flung from their seats, desperately holding on from the sudden stop as their screams echoed throughout the cart.
Amon too was caught off guard by this incident, his hand quickly gripped a nearby bar, preventing his own fall as the screeching slowly stopped.
“What the hell?”
“What happened?”
The screams quickly settled as panicked questions started pouring out from the passengers. Fixing his monocle, Amon stood straight and scrutinized his surroundings. His face was calm yet active, waiting and preparing for the worst.
He leaned to reach for his phone, unfortunately the screen broke and was stuck. Looking into it, Amon noticed the time displayed. “7:00”
It was then that an announcement was produced.
-Telling all passengers on the train. Telling all passengers on the train.
At the sound of the announcer, the noise calmed down almost immediately, but it was short-lived.
-E-Everyone run away! Ru-
The broadcast ended with a beep and panic returned into the train cart.
Amon was taken aback but still kept calm and planned ahead.
‘What’s happening? A natural calamity? Terrorist attack?’
He may be a thrill seeker but he values his life allot more than people might think, it’s an ironic aspect of his personality that he never wants anyone to see.
It wasn’t long before his question was answered. A holographic template suddenly appeared in front of him with words written on it. The template reminded him of the tutorial sections of virtual reality games but why would one appear here now? Either way, Amon leaned a little closer and started reading the contents.
[The free service of planetary system 8612 has been terminated]
[The main scenario has started]
“Huh?”
“What is this?”
It seems he wasn’t the only one who received such a message. The lights in the subway suddenly dimmed and yet a bright flash appeared from outside the cart. Drumming sounds were produced along with a pop as something emerged from the light. The lights went back immediately as the subway door opened with something entering.
‘Dokkaebi?’
Amon was confused now. He expected many situations but didn’t consider it to be something straight out of a fictional tale. A small cartoonish looking creature was floating in the air with two small horns and a straw mat covering its fluffy figure.
[@%^%%$$&^*…]
[@&^&*&*^#*&...]
“Huh? What is this?”
“A prank show?”
People started gossiping about their current situation. Amon stayed silent, it was better for him to wait for what unfolds before acting.
[Ah. Ah. Testing. Can you understand me now? Some should really fix the Korean patch]
‘So it can speak Korean’
[I don’t want to keep repeating what I’ve been telling everyone else but
This isn’t a movie shoot. It isn’t a dream. It isn’t a novel either. This isn’t the reality that you know. Do you understa-]
“Can we just wrap this up? I’m already late for work”
The Dokkaebi was suddenly interrupted by a business man. The creature slowly approached the man and looked straight at his eye.
[Didn’t you hear a single word I said? I guess it can’t be helped]
Its eyes suddenly turned red and the next second, a hole appeared through the man’s forehead as blood gushed out before his lifeless body fell to the ground.
The sudden sight caused everyone in the cart to panic.
[No! This isn’t what I- Ah! Be quiet!]
Amon looked at the lifeless corpse with shocked eyes. And yet, he felt no fear at all. Eventually, more corpses started piling up within the subway until nearly half of the passengers were left, finally silencing the noise.
[Why do you people always like to waste your life rather than following simple orders]
[Now that everyone has calmed down. Let me brief you in with the details]
The Dokkaebi then started spouting things about ‘us living too long for free’ and how ‘it’s about time for us to start paying a price’. No one interrupted the speech in fear of their lives while some even listened attentively, like Amon.
[Well then, rather than explaining it a hundred times, wouldn’t it be quicker to make the money yourself?]
Moments later, a message rang out
[#BI-7623 channel is open]
[Constellations have entered]
And later, a small holographic window appeared on everyone’s sights.
[The main scenario has arrived!]
[Main Scenario #1 – Proof of Value]
Category: Main
Difficulty: F
Clear Condition: Kill one or more living creature
Time Limit: 30 minutes
Compensation: 300 coins
The Dokkaebi smiled as sweat dripped from the faces of the people. Amon too saw the message window, his eyes locked. A certain feeling surged into his veins as he mimicked the same grin as that the Dokkaebi produced. Slowly, he looked up to the creature as it spoke words that made him realize the kind of emotion he’s currently feeling.
Thrill, Excitement, Elation.
[Then, good luck everyone. Please show me an interesting story]
The World has changed.