Chapter 251

What is language?

Of course. I’m not here to engage in a pedantic discussion about the dictionary definition of language as a means of communication through voice or text. I wanted to take a moment to praise the value that language holds as a bridge connecting people.

As soon as I moved to this neighborhood, when I got shredded by the damn automated turret, I don’t even know how much physical brain damage I had, but during my recovery, my self-awareness had already become a blend of “me” and “I.”

That said, it wasn’t entirely devoid of dissonance, but I think I adapted very smoothly, considering the overwhelming level of change that would hardly be considered anything less than a cataclysm.

…To slightly steer away from the topic, that’s what I wanted to say anyway.

Before I even realized I had gaming traits or special abilities, I was already thinking and conversing in English.

Well, it’s not like I forgot Hangul or Korean, right?

But when I submerged myself in thought, English naturally became my first choice, followed by what was surely my fundamental Korean. …And then there were just a few random Cyrillic letters and Russian, which popped up like an afterthought.

At that time, I was just too preoccupied with surviving, shooting and blowing up everything I could grab, and I didn’t think much of it. But as time passed, I felt quite uneasy.

Words carry power.

Even in a world where puns and deceit are commonplace, and con artists run rampant.

In a world where everything doesn’t just disappear but is crowded with records that can tighten the noose around you someday, language, which only becomes real the moment it is spoken, may carry a noble weight.

It has been over a hundred years since the concept of nationhood perished, and even though this land, once dubbed a melting pot of races, has mixed for generations, the concept still serves as a window revealing individual identities.

In the end, whenever I had the chance, I embarked on a quest to find spicy Korean food, which is hard to even eat, and I ended up forming precious bonds that were almost too much to hold with both hands.

Why was it that just hearing someone fluently speak the lost mother tongue felt like an agonizing nostalgia?

– …Ahsa, are you okay? –

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Shh. Don’t talk to me for a moment… No, actually, amplify the sounds coming from that person over there.”

Just a little earlier, everyone else was caught up in the chaos they created and focused on Martina, so it felt comfortable— “That culture of meddling in others’ affairs needs to disappear,” despite passionately chewing over the topic.

I didn’t feel the slightest bit of shame as I stiffened my body, perked my ears, and even mobilized Zero for surveillance.

It’s not like I’m harming anyone; what’s wrong with just eavesdropping a bit!

Consider it saving one person; please let it slide. I beg you…!

“Ugh, I’m screwed. The internal structure seems quite different….”

“……Wow.”

A man. In fact, it’s a place where ambiguously hormone-affected transgender individuals or cross-dressers might casually come and go, so it’s a bit early to make a snap judgment, but I guessed the voice belonged to a biological male.

Aaron’s slick tone, Show’s gentle speech. Despite being filled with a clumsy and hesitant tone distinctly different from either, it sounded sweeter to my ears than most music.

I didn’t dare wish for a native Korean to observe either. I do have a sense of propriety.

Even if he is mixed race, if he could speak Korean that fluently, perhaps some eastern features remain… I stole a glance at him with that modest expectation, but to my dismay, there was too little information to gather.

What kind of personality makes someone feel compelled to bundle up like that? Moreover, where did that post-apocalyptic vibe come from?

His head and hair were covered by a tattered coat with a hood hanging loosely.

His face was hidden behind a battered, old gas mask that looked like it had been broken, its lower jaw jutting out awkwardly, covered beneath a mess of dust-coated, ill-fitting slack shirts and cargo pants, making it hard to guess his race or even his age.

Overall, evaluating his fashion style….

…In my bold opinion, that’s the kind of attire tourists and outlaws wore when staying in frontier towns, so seriously, what the heck is this guy doing?

I imagined in a whimsical way that perhaps he had just rummaged through clothes thrown away in recycling bins or trash cans.

Anyway, he emanated a vibe that would have him refused passage in a more decent establishment or area.

Rather than a dangerous atmosphere, it was more like he boasted of a degree of hardship that was indescribable. He appeared not to feel the need to scrutinize the interior closely.

Or perhaps there was another reason, as he dawdled in looking around, he eventually wandered in, aimlessly heading straight to the main counter where Hemet sat.

“…Are you here for consultation too? If you have something to buy, you must remove the tag, so bring it here first. Let’s settle up before you leave, and don’t set off the alarm for no reason.”

Hot…! Even before you have Zero give you a massage, just offer that much service.

Hadn’t he just had a rough experience with some previous customer? Or perhaps he had just struck a contract he was satisfied with?

Though he still retained a bit of bluntness, his demeanor had softened significantly compared to earlier, and it was as if he approached with a slightly brighter countenance, knowing he was running a business.

“Oh, indeed… so this is how it feels now. Um… Excuse me? I’m looking for… a translation tool? …Ah, Korean and English. Both ways!? (Ok!?)”

“…What the fuck? If you’re looking for something specific or want something, search for it first! If you still can’t find it, I’ll customize or find whatever suits your taste!”

“Pfft…?!”

Caught off guard by an unexpected quip, I covered my mouth and buried my face in Zero’s side.

Yeah, English isn’t that hard. I’m grateful for what’s installed in my brain without studying separately.

But who would have thought there would be someone trying to fill in the gaps with a translator after having learned only that poorly?

At least, wouldn’t they have an integrated language package chip in their head? The absolute stinginess of looking for a cheap product that only contained exactly two languages was remarkable.

In fact, the inaccuracy of what he was asking for could have led to Hemet’s customer-facing mask flying off in one shot.

Unlike the vague presence that was maintained during lunchtime, the busy guy was furiously typing away on the computer… instructing staff on tasks… and frantically making telephone appointments, so such an ambiguous request from a customer could understandably tick him off a bit.

Especially since if he rattled off that quickly, it was a given that the person wouldn’t understand.

“Huh? Excuse me?? Search the network first…. Ah! Shi—what do you call this again? Sorry, my cyberware is… dead. Can’t use it, right now!”

“Seriously? We got a real piece of work here. Can’t even keep your head together; well done!”

Ugh, it’s driving me crazy.

“Uh, cough. Hah!”

– …Even for someone dull like me, it feels like you’re happy. Are you really okay? –

I nodded.

With great difficulty, I turned my head a little, hidden within Zero’s embrace, shielding me from unwanted attention.

One hand steadfastly covered my mouth.

The other was trembling as it gripped my now painfully tightened stomach.

How should I express this joy so he could understand? I wanted to share it, but I couldn’t think of a proper way. It was too regrettable.

The sight of a poor Korean who, under no circumstances, wanted to chatter in English, desperately putting in every effort including body language when facing foreigners was something I thought I’d only see if I succeeded in going back in the distant future when all circumstances and coincidences aligned perfectly.

The sheer satisfaction of catching a glimpse of that longed-for scenery.

When I get home today, I decided to tell Zero about some amusing stories from a gaming nerd. That’s what I just decided.

Once, I worried the mysterious ‘power’ I experienced in my dreams would cause harm, so I tried to conceal parts that were unimportant to this fool, but anything related to my source – me, Anastasia – I felt he would want to know. I must be mindful of how I reveal it.

“Huhahaha…! Hah… so fun. Is this why community hacker kids get bored and engage in eavesdropping and things?”

– Isn’t that just a pathetic little betrayal of clumsy individuals? –

If there’s no practical purpose and your hobby is eavesdropping, the conversation might differ, but… anyhow.

Well, I’ll endure it even if I get scolded for laughing to the point of tears while others suffer.

Because I was genuinely comforted by their chaotic and non-cohesive conversation.

“Are you asking for a chip? Are you trying to receive a program? I have a meeting later, and suddenly this primitive being shows up… Huh? You want it put in here??”

“No! Damn it! I said I wanted the absolute cheapest because I have nothing! Why does this guy keep… Ah! Touchpad! PDA! Very good!!”

While throwing up double thumbs up in excitement, I couldn’t help but feel fondness for the guy who screamed in horror upon seeing the expected amount displayed on the counter screen.

“No, this won’t do.”

…Haha, I just can’t hold back anymore.

Originally, I was planning to eavesdrop on what kind of person was using Korean here and whether there might be a Korean town or hidden Korean meeting nearby. But my mind has changed.

I can’t just keep watching from behind anymore.

I want to talk. Even trivial chit-chat, or a random comment from a hacker with nothing better to do as they pass by would be good. I wanted to exchange words with someone who understands Korean.

Moreover, it seemed Hemet didn’t feel it was necessary to attempt voice translation for a customer with a thin wallet.

Wouldn’t it be a pretty picture if, as an unintended Korean major, I helped out with the partner’s headache? …I won’t accept any opposition.

As long as our esteemed customer doesn’t feel awkward or uncomfortable.

Perhaps if I interfere with the sense of being a stakeholder here, it might be fine, right?

Some rich people spend absurd amounts of money just to feel their homeland, so surely in exchange for receiving mental therapy in my native (?), I could buy a piece or two of electronics. Right?