Damned System

Chapter 67. To the New World (6)

First of all, while returning to Seoul, I had already contacted the homeroom teachers of the two kids.

I asked them to excuse them from the self-study sessions today because of family circumstances.

I had also texted the kids to head straight out after their classes were over.

Having somewhat steeled my mind to ignore whatever their objections might be, I let out a deep sigh.

But time was truly fair, in the sense that it did not slow down for lack of a proper method.

By the time I heard the unfamiliar sound of the school bell and checked the clock, regular lessons were already over.

Before getting out of the car, I checked my phone. Fortunately, the traces of divinity that had lingered for more than four hours had significantly softened.

It now appeared as nothing more than a light brown hue.

‘This should be okay.’

The twins might sense something odd, but it wouldn’t be so alien as to cause concern.

After getting out of the car, about 15 minutes had passed. Yeonwoo found me from the school gate and sprinted towards me.

As she rushed into my arms, I couldn’t see her expression. All I knew was that she had looked very serious when she was running towards me.

Jinwoo, who approached with quick steps, didn’t look pleased either. I decided to speak before they did.

“Let’s head home first and talk there.”

“… Okay.”

I managed to buy a little more time, but I already knew deep down that putting off the explanation wouldn’t change anything.

As such, I found it especially hard to hold back another sigh.

* * *

“So, are you saying we should stay at Uncle Jonghun’s place for the time being?”

In response to Yeonwoo’s question, I nodded calmly.

“Yes.”

The decision had been made that my siblings would stay at Jonghun’s house in my absence.

– If you must go, let’s organize things at home. I can’t leave the kids alone.

Leaving the kids alone made me anxious too, and I trusted Jonghun. The move was scheduled for tomorrow. I had only cleared some time today to explain the situation to my siblings.

‘Though it wasn’t much of an explanation.’

Of course, there was no way for them to know that I was involved in something dangerous. I simply told them I had to be away, and left it at that.

Afterward, I notified them to stay at Jonghun’s place. I knew perfectly well how awful this must look to the twins from their perspective.

Yet, even after giving it much thought, I didn’t feel like telling them the truth.

Once I finished notifying them, Yeonwoo silently bowed her head, her hands fidgeting. It was Jinwoo who broke the prolonged silence.

“Got it.”

He didn’t question why I had to leave or demand to know where I’d been. That was all he said, simply acknowledging my words.

‘… They’re not usually like this.’

When I got involved with Namkyu, they nagged endlessly over my one overnight absence.

The twins I knew wouldn’t let such things slide so easily. Narrowing my eyes as I scrutinized the two, Jinwoo and Yeonwoo exchanged a peculiar look.

‘What was that about?’

Something was off. Before I could point it out, Jinwoo took the lead.

“We’re not little kids who can’t manage without you anymore. Go without worrying.”

Jinwoo wore a face that closely resembled my own from the past. I was the only one left speechless by this unexpected turn of events.

Arguing further here would make me look like an unreasonable person leaving the kids behind. Either way, my departure had been confirmed.

Therefore, it was a relief that the kids were letting me go and accepting my decision.

‘So why does it feel so unsettling?’

I was convinced the twins had discussed something in my absence. Otherwise, this wouldn’t be passing over so quietly.

As I pondered how to uncover their plan, Yeonwoo, who had been silently hanging her head, straightened up and spoke.

“If Orabang finds it hard to explain, then I won’t ask for detailed answers.”

“……”

“In return, promise you’ll come back.”

This wasn’t just surprising—it was mildly shocking. What kind of conversation had passed between the two of them?

‘In the past, they would have certainly bawled their eyes out.’

The kids who were once small enough for me to hold in my arms were now saying such things.

I looked at the twins with complicated feelings and let out a sigh. Whatever they had discussed, I had no right to pry.

I couldn’t harass them asking why they weren’t trying to hold me back.

Regardless of what they said, I was going to leave. It was time to be grateful that the twins were seeing me off quietly and maintain silence.

‘What a strange feeling.’

I ruffled Yeonwoo’s hair and replied calmly.

“Alright, I promise.”

“Okay, then that’s enough.”

Only after hearing my answer did Yeonwoo sniffle as she hugged me tight.

“Orabang keeps promises well.”

With that interaction, which didn’t even feel like a proper conversation, I wrapped up the situation and began organizing for a move as soon as dawn broke the next day.

In the evening, Jaehyuk came over to help with the relocation.

‘I should pop by the realtor later.’

Looking over the list of things to do before leaving, I glanced downward.

「Progress: 12.71%」

Before that number reached completion, I had to be prepared for my journey to Bihar.

* * *

Li Pei was mopping gazing to the side, as always. But there was nothing there. At least to others.

Only Li Pei could see the chat window floating in that space.

– Diamond: Just think of it as screwed if you get caught.
– Lollipop: What exactly happened?

There were many people who answered Lollipop’s question, who had joined the chat room for the first time today.

– Worldstar: First, they lure you with money.
– Diamond: Then they use your family to blackmail you.
– Balloon: From then on, you’re basically a slave. You end up taking on all the illegal work.
– Balloon: I know a guy who’s running drugs because his kid is held hostage. They allow him to talk to the kid once a day; it’s heartbreaking.
– Lollipop: They’d really go after family? In this day and age?
– Balloon: It seems harder because some are already stuck on the government side. They’re in complete loyalty mode, even coercing other players’ families themselves.
– Worldstar: Just glance at the community posts, they’re nothing but praises.
– Lollipop: Is it really happening?
– Emperor: None of us have experienced it firsthand. If we had, we wouldn’t be gathered in this room. But seeing the posts K uploaded, it’s worth staying alert.
– Emperor: K concluded by telling Chinese players not to rely on the government, but to keep an eye on them. It’s likely because the information he received was so contradictory that he suggested prioritizing safety.
– Lollipop: Surely this can’t be true… Could it all be just rumors?

Li Pei frowned at Lollipop’s repeated reaction.

‘What’s up with that guy?’

Something felt off. He kept on repeating he couldn’t believe it, that it couldn’t be true. Surely, he hadn’t experienced it himself.

‘Am I just being too sensitive?’

No, absolutely not. It wouldn’t be strange to react excessively given these circumstances. Li Pei bit his lips, furrowing his brows.

‘It’s been two weeks already.’

There was a post titled ‘Must-Read for Chinese Players’ on the player community. It was an accusation claiming that government officials were hiring players as private soldiers, and then leashing them using their families as hostages.

To verify facts, Li Pei had sent a friend request to the player with that codename.

‘Deceased.’

The player who posted the article had died. Similar claims were then reiterated a couple more times.

After that, posts began appearing, asserting that the accusations were mere rumors. But even those quickly got buried under the increasing number of posts by other players.

The problem was that Li Pei knew what the truth was between the two. As a cleaner at the People’s Hall, there were plenty of chances he overheard things.

– These can blow up location trackers if orders aren’t followed. Here, right at the connection to the spine, pow!
– No creature, no matter how monstrous, can deal with something stuck to their brain.
– Exactly. We must keep these bugs, possessing absurd powers, from running amok.
– Location tracking is essential. Once that’s feasible, they can be used even more effectively.
– Hahaha, we’re giving them a chance to devote themselves to the great People’s Republic of China?

The heightened sensitivity of Li Pei’s hearing was enough to eavesdrop on distant conversations.

It was a whispered conversation between high-ranking officials visiting the assembly hall.

She vividly remembered the expressions of those exchanging these words.

– Rabbit Foot: If it’s just a rumor, go ahead and try reaching the government.

In the end, his inability to dismiss it as just a passing matter made him particularly sensitive to it.

– Rabbit Foot: Let’s all be cautious of this guy. Seems like a slave trying to fish us out.
– Lollipop: What? I’m not! Don’t twist it like that!
– Worldstar: How about expelling him from the room?
– Balloon: Agreed, boot him out, and let’s monitor him on the community. If he’s indeed one of those slaves, he’ll soon act up.

Due to heightened safety concerns, everyone remaining in the group chat agreed to expel Lollipop.

Soon after, lollipop disappeared from the chat room. However, the anxiety lingered, growing stronger.

– Balloon: If he’s truly a slave, our codenames are likely compromised.
– Emperor: Let’s reject all friend requests and minimize community activity for a while. It’s time to stay low.
– Rabbit Foot: Listen to the Emperor. The bureaucrats are caught up in a race now.

Who acquires more players. Who possesses stronger players. To the elite of China, players were merely useful game pieces, disposable private soldiers.

Hence, they scramble to find and claim as many players as possible.

‘There’s no recourse if the government frames you as a criminal.’

A man in his late thirties was recently arrested for attempting to assassinate a member of the Communist Party’s Political Bureau.

Just how many are aware that he was a player who declined recruitment offers from officials?

That his elderly parents and two young sons went missing overnight?

If Li Pei hadn’t been working here overhearing snippets from higher-ups, he wouldn’t have known either.

‘The news reported him as an orphan, so who knows who he really is.’

Getting caught means you can’t escape. Hence, more than anyone, one must hide skillfully.

Li Pei was somewhat fortunate in having nothing to protect. But those who weren’t would all inevitably bend to the power.

Even if players possessed powers beyond human limits, as long as they had things built up from their human lives, complete freedom would remain elusive.

A sliver of hope existed, though. Players had a place to escape to.

‘Bihar.’

According to K’s post, a formal gate would soon open. Entry to a world inhabited by other sentient beings was about to become possible.

‘I don’t have children, never even had parents to begin with.’

Once he herself escaped, he could find safety from the clutches of power. Until then, he just needed to quietly endure without causing any issues.

While checking the progress meter, which had already exceeded 90%, Li Pei made up his mind.

‘Just a few more days.’

Resolving so while quietly pushing the mop in the shadowy corner—

An icy sensation traced his nape. Li Pei was an experienced player, having cleared Level 2 once before servers connected.

Thus, he could make optimal choices to protect himself. His body moved instinctively even before the thought fully registered.

Damned System

TL’s Corner:
I like that there are other side characters with interesting background and circumstances, they also don’t feel like throw away characters.