Chapter 6

“What? You found a survivor of Walpurgis?”

Detective Ma Bum-il of the Seoul Serious Crimes Investigation Division 2 was taken aback by his junior’s sudden news. It was obvious that they were busy with a case, so he couldn’t believe they were joking… He was about to smack his forehead in frustration.

“They just caught the illegal usage device name from the National Intelligence Service. What was it again? Mei Mei 2X?”

As soon as the name of the capsule device came out of his junior’s mouth, Detective Ma’s expression suddenly turned grim.

“Are you sure about that?”

“Yes, I’m sure. It’s officially provided data from Riote, so it’s reliable. They’re sending the serial number and ICEI number soon, so tracking the location should be possible.”

“Riote? Isn’t that a gaming company? Myung-seok… If you have a brain, think a little.”

In the end, Detective Ma rolled up a magazine and tapped it sharply on his junior’s head.

“That’s probably just a credit delinquent who picked up an illegal capsule and got caught playing games with it. Even if he’s lucky, he’d be a junior member of Walpurgis.”

“Then aren’t you going? The car is waiting outside.”

“You guys go. I’m busy enough with this.”

“But, sir, there could be a real victim! According to the informant, someone trapped in the capsule hasn’t been able to speak and has been sending SOS signals for years…”

“What? Why are you telling me this now?”

The inability to speak was the crucial point.

The capsule had intentionally damaged the language module.

Detective Ma Bum-il had long harbored the grudge of being unable to rescue even a single survivor during the counter-terrorism operation against the Walpurgis Korean branch led by the UN seven years ago.

There must have been many hostages.

But the people he found were either dead or still trapped somewhere. Until they became skeletons.

He suspected that the increasing number of missing persons in a country like Korea, where safety was taken very seriously, was due to Walpurgis.

As soon as Walpurgis was eradicated in Korea, the annual count of missing children was recorded as zero the following year, so that said it all.

The idea that someone had survived trapped in a capsule for seven years seemed far-fetched, though.

“We need to hurry.”

“If we push any harder, we’ll get a ticket. Just let the autopilot take care of it. You’re so impatient.”

An ambulance had arrived almost simultaneously at the scene.

“It’s really remote.”

Unlike before, there was no need to deploy a counter-terrorism unit. It was a reasonable conclusion that there wouldn’t be any members of the organization in such a secluded area.

They thought it might be too difficult to find a capsule thrown in a place like this.

It was now an area that had been designated for redevelopment but had suddenly been canceled, and there wasn’t a single sign of human presence.

A shabby old rural house, over 100 years old, stood vacantly.

“Is this really the right place?”

“This is strange… My navigation says it’s here…”

The paramedics were just waiting for their orders.

“Why bother talking? Let’s just go. Everyone, let’s go together since we’ve come this far. We might as well not get delayed. Myung-seok, turn on the flashlight.”

“Ugh, it’s ridiculous that we can’t even use light magic with taxes being this high and we’re still carrying flashlights around…”

“Just hurry and lead the way!”

“Okay, okay.”

Two detectives in front, six paramedics in the back entered the cramped house.

At 1 a.m., perhaps because the house was small, the sound of an owl echoed down the hallway.

“The house is small; why is the structure so complicated?”

“It really feels like something might jump out at you.”

“Isn’t it about time you got over that kind of fear?”

“These days, people are scarier than ghosts.”

They searched the living room, kitchen, and bedroom in order.

In such a small house, they discovered two enormous capsules filling the innermost small room.

“Oh my… They really exist… It seems like there’s a person inside? Damn it, I just had jjajangmyeon and now I feel nauseous.”

“Stop babbling and help me. This won’t open by hand. It’s been smashed up pretty badly.”

They brought a large crowbar just in case. With the strength of three adult men, it pried open the gap between the capsules.

There were creaking and breakage sounds. Due to the pressure difference inside and outside, air rushed through the gap with a hiss.

“This won’t do. [1st Circle Emergency Spell: Light].”

“Brother, emergency spells are expensive.”

“Either way, it’s my money.”

The room lit up brightly. The haggard faces of the paramedics, along with the slightly dazed expression on Myung-seok’s face, became clear.

Clang.

The door of the capsule finally gave way under the force of the crowbar.

Faster than that, Myung-seok’s reflexes kicked in.

“Ahhhh! A-ghost!”

“Will you calm down? What’s going to happen if you get all worked up?”

Detective Ma Bum-il grabbed the back of his neck and slammed him to the floor. Meanwhile, the paramedics professionally assessed the condition of the woman inside the capsule.

“She’s completely deceased. Estimated time of death is seven years ago.”

“But sir, this body shows no signs of decay at all?”

“Well, we’re not sure about the details…”

“Ahhhhhhh!”

“What now, Myung-seok!”

“Over here… There’s a sound coming from the capsule!”

With his heart racing, Myung-seok managed to calm down, but was startled again by the sounds coming from the opposite capsule. Perhaps after being a detective for so long, Bum-il quickly directed the paramedics.

“Leave the woman for now and let’s get this one open quickly.”

Without any further disagreement, the paramedics again grabbed the crowbar.

The difference this time was that Detective Ma took the lead in wielding the crowbar.

With slightly less force, the capsule opened forcibly.

The duration of the light spell was about to end, but everyone’s attention was focused on the girl inside the second capsule.

“This is insane.”

Inside was a girl whose body size was completely incompatible with the intended form of the capsule.

With a pallid complexion, she was barely clinging to life.

—

Her eyes opened.

Seven years.

It took me as long as seven years to see this damned world again.

Many people are urging me to hurry up.

But I don’t care.

I have to look.

Mom.

I tried to lift my body but the world spun around me. No, is it my head that’s spinning?

Two kind men helped me up by holding me under my arms. Thank you.

Mom, are you alive?

The image of Seol-a, hidden by the capsule, reflected in my eyes.

She looked truly peaceful.

After all, Seol-a died six years ago.

But because of a glimmer of hope, I forcibly administered half of the mana potion I was supposed to take to Seol-a.

Maybe that’s why she appeared so lively that it was hard to believe she was someone who had passed away six years ago. Though she would never wake up again.

Seol-a had been so thin.

So different from her virtual reality avatar.

I wondered how much she must have suffered all this time.

I’m alive like this.

Thanks to Mom.

—

“What happened? Did you find her?”

“It’s no longer your concern. I have nothing more to say.”

“But!”

“And Semin, I heard from your mom that you’ve been into gaming lately? I don’t plan on interfering as an adult, but you should do everything in moderation.”

“…Yes.”

“I hear the exams are coming up soon, but unlike the other kids, you’ve already served in the military, so you’ll have to work hard to catch up.”

“Yes.”

That’s why it was hard to ask for help. Semin stuck out his tongue at his father, Chief Prosecutor Cheon Jeong-ho.

“Do you think I went to the military to take it easy? They told me to go, so I did. You should know what it’s like being a veteran.”

He thought his home was suffocating. Until he could be independent, he had no choice but to endure in silence.

[Kim Yeo-eun: Any news?]

[Cheon Semin: Not at all. She has no intention of telling me anything.]

Semin was sure something had happened. The fact that Noname had switched to offline mode a few hours ago was solid evidence.

“Aish, what am I doing? I should just study.”

Even though he muttered that to himself, all of Semin’s attention was on Noname.

In the end, Semin pulled out his last resort.

[Detective Ma Bum-il – Connecting]

The person his father had been talking on the phone with outside a while ago. Semin had memorized the number and called.

[Hello?]

[Ah, hello! Is this Detective Ma Bum-il?]

[Yes, that’s me. Who are you…?]

[Oh… I’m the son of Chief Prosecutor Cheon Jeong-ho. I’m also the original informant for this case.]

[Please hold on.]

An unnatural pause ended, and a voice came back.

[So what’s the Chief Prosecutor’s son calling me about?]

[I wanted to ask if the rescue was completed successfully… ]

[It’s complicated. Hmm… Since it’s classified information that shouldn’t be discussed over the phone, if you’re really curious, come to Asan OO Hospital.]

[Alright! Can I head over right now?]

[As you prefer.]