2025-12-28 22:54:03The PC Bang hit me with the smell of ramyeon and the sounds of gunfire, though underneath it all the sour smell of too many people in one space.
I scanned the rows, most monitors were taken, blue monitor light painting the faces of people. A kid no more than fifteen was screaming into his headset, typing furiously at his keyboard. Two men at the back were sharing a smoke despite the no – smoking sign. I walked up to the attendant and gave him the cash. “Station 34. Back corner” he said after counting the cash. I moved through the maze of chairs and tables. Station 34 was in the darkest corner. The perfect place to spend the night. The chair still felt warm from the last person that used it. I logged in. The system screen appeared immediately, overlapping the monitor’s. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – [QUEST COMPLETE: Survive the Night] [REWARD: Processing…] [NEW SKILL UNLOCKED: Observation] – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – A skill? Like in a game? My heart hammered across my ribs. This couldn't be real. And yet … I looked at the attendant and a text appeared above his head, floating like a holographic display. [NAME: Kim Sung min] [AGE: 25] [RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Unavailable] [OCCUPATION: PC Bang Attendant] [STRENGTHS: Unavailable] [WEAKNESSES: Unavailable] [SECRETS: Unavailable] [THREAT LEVEL: Unavailable] [STRESS LEVEL: Unavailable] I blinked. “What the …” My breath caught. I blinked once, twice. The text remained. The attendant looked at me sharply. “Got a problem?” “N … no” I dropped my gaze immediately. I must have stared at him for too long. This was insane. My hands were shaking, I pressed them on the desk to steady them. People didn't just see information about people floating above their heads. That's not how the world works. Apparently now it was. For me. So I could see the name and age but the rest is unavailable? Why? [They can be unlocked depending on the way a person trusts you or understands you] I shivered. It could hear my thoughts? I needed to test this. Carefully, I glanced around the PC bang at the other patrons, trying not to look suspicious. [NAME: Unavailable] [AGE: Unavailable] RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Unavailable] [OCCUPATION: Unavailable] [STRENGTHS: Unavailable] [WEAKNESSES: Unavailable] [SECRETS: Unavailable] [THREAT LEVEL: Unavailable] [STRESS LEVEL: Unavailable] That's odd. Everything here is unavailable. I guess complete strangers showed nothing. That made sense I suppose. I’d never spoken to any of them. My eyes drifted to a man I've had some light conversation with. [NAME: Lee Minjun] [AGE: 38] [RELATIONSHIPS STATUS: Married] [OCCUPATION: None] [STRENGTHS: Strong willed, Good at twisting words] [WEAKNESSES: Alcoholic] [SECRETS: Unavailable] [THREAT LEVEL: Unavailable] [STRESS LEVEL: High] More information. Significantly more. Just as the system explained, the more I knew someone, the more I could see about them. Even brief interactions mattered. The secrets and threat level sections … These seemed incredibly useful. Potentially life saving even. If I could unlock these, I could navigate this world differently. I could anticipate danger. I could know who to trust and who I should avoid. For the first time since reading that text message, I felt something stir in me. Hope. I stared absentmindedly at the games thinking about the system. I still couldn't help but think this was all a dream and I'll wake up the next morning. No. I shook my head. I need to stop these dreadful thoughts. I knew I had to get a job if I wanted to survive. I yawned. I stretched my arms out hoping to ease the growing tension in them. I needed to rest, at least, for the stressful day I'll have ahead of me. I put my head on the table and slept off. I woke up to the sound of people clicking away on keyboards and the smell of coffee mixed with the permanent smell of instant noodles. My neck screamed in protest as I lifted my head from the desk. A dull ache had settled in my spine from the awkward position I'd slept in. I flexed my fingers, wincing as the pins and needles sensation crept up my shoulder. I glanced at the PC and looked at the time, 6:00 am. I sighed, only four hours of sleep. Standing up made my head spin for a moment. I gripped the head of the desk until my dizziness passed and stretched out my shoulders. My clothes felt grimy against my skin. I needed a shower. But first I needed money. But to get money I needed a job. I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to make myself look somewhat presentable, and walked towards the counter. “Hey”. I said after I got to the counter. “You know anyone hiring?” The attendant looked me up and down. “How desperate are you?” “Very”. “Well I know a place but it isn't worth it” he said. “I don't care,” I said. “It's a convenience store,” he said, leaning back and crossing his arms over his chest. “The pay isn't great and the owner’s an asshole. Plus, they get robbed frequently”. I pulled out my phone, 2% battery now. “Address?” “You sure?” He said, raising an eyebrow. “Extremely” I said looking him straight in the eyes. He sighed and scribbled something on a napkin. “Tell him Sung min sent you. Maybe he'll be less of an asshole. Maybe”. “Thanks”. “Whatever”. He turned back to his phone then paused. “Got somewhere to sleep?” The question caught me off guard. “Why?” “You’ve got the look on your face”. He said, looking at me. “Huh?” “I'm used to it y’know, we get a lot of those looks here”. He shrugged. Lucky for you, he might let you spend the night” “I’ll keep that in mind” I said and walked away. Oddly enough, the convenience store I was heading to was a familiar one. It was quite popular due to its low prices. It was a place perfect for someone like me. The only problem was that I've always heard rumors of the place getting robbed and apparently they were true. It didn't take long for me to get there, I stood outside, took in a deep breath and entered. The place was quite empty. I mean, what did I expect? It was about fifteen minutes after six. I looked around wondering where I could find the owner. “You looking for anything in particular?” I turned towards the direction of the voice and saw a boy, probably 18, smiling at me. “Um, not really. I want to apply for a job” I said, scratching the back of my neck. “Oh really?” He said, staring at me with sparkling eyes. “Y … yeah”. “I'm so glad,” he said, clasping my hands. “It's been so tough being the only employee here. I mean the store is always so busy and there's only so much I can do”. “What in the world are you doing, Woo rim?” We both turned out heads towards the direction of the voice. “Morning Manager!” The boy, who is apparently Woo rim, said cheerfully. “Like I said, what are you doing? And who in the world is this?” He said looking irritated. “This is err …” “Seo Ireum” I said. “Right! Manager, this is Seo Ireum and he's here to apply for a job” Woo rim said gesturing towards me. “I see,” he said, scrutinizing me. “Come with me”.
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Chapter Forty Six
I woke to the sound of my ringtone, groggily, I stared at my phone and saw the name ‘IJ’ on the screen. My eyes shot open, I glanced at Dahyun and saw he was still sleeping soundly then I hurried to the bathroom, I called her back. “Hello? Good morning, Ms. Jiyeon,” I said. “Good morning Seo Ireum,” Jiyeon said. “Well, you were right, at this point, I almost wish you weren't.” I waited for her to continue, wondering why she said that. “Seung Woo is a horrible person, I've seen a lot of cases but this is absolutely terrible, the poor boy,” Jiyeon said. “I have all the evidence needed to expose him and the Choi family.” My eyes widened. “When do you plan to release it?” “I’m giving you the leverage for that,” Jiyeon said. “What? Why?” “I just feel like it, so when do you think it should be published?” “I…I don't know, can you give me some time to think?” I asked. “Of course, just call whenever you’ve decided,” Jiyeon said and ended the call. I took in a deep breath and sig
Chapter Forty Five
Dahyun's room was small but neat and organized with a small computer in the corner and a reading table near the bed. The extra futon had been laid out carefully next to his bed with fresh sheets and a pillow. “Your sister is sweet,” I said, seething my bag down. “She's the best,” Dahyun said simply. “Even when she's sick she's always cheerful and is constantly thinking about others, when I told her you were coming, she had a random boost of energy too.” “How serious is it?” I asked quietly. Dahyun sat on his bed, his shoulders sagging slightly. “She has leukaemia and needs chemotherapy but the treatment is so expensive, we could never dream of covering the bills on our own no matter how hard we try.” “Is that why you joined ORIONX?” I said. “For the prize money?” He hesitated, looking at me intensely, then he sighed. “Yes.” “I'm sorry,” I said. “Don't be,” he said firmly. “Really, we’re managing and So ah’s such a strong girl. Plus, we happen to have someone that's helping us
Chapter Forty Four
Meanwhile…“Bye guys, bring back lots of home made meals!” Dongpyo said as he waved at us.“You guys are so lucky,” Jaemin said.“We wish we could eat our mum’s cooking too,” Jaein said.“We’ve got to go Ireum, the cars are here,” Peniel said.“Bye guys,” I said and Peniel and I left.We headed downstairs where I met Dahyun, Lien, Hongaem and Hangyul.“Hey guys,” Hangyul said.“Morning,” Peniel said.“Well, see you guys later,” Hongaem said as he and Lien stepped into a car.“Oh, do they live in the same place?” I asked.“I think so,” Hangyul said.“Anyway, I think it's time we go our separate ways,” Peniel said and waved us goodbye.Hangyul entered a car then Dahyun and I entered ours.“You look pretty tensed,” Dahyun noted.“Well, I’m pretty nervous,” I said.“You don't need to be, my family will love you,” Dahyun said.“Okay,” I said, though it didn't make the nerves go away.The drive was pretty long but eventually, we pulled up at a small modest house.Dahyun's family was waiting
Chapter Forty Three
One week later… Jungeon Dae-jung’s apartment smelled of cold soba and unwashed laundry. The man who answered the door looked ten years older than his actual age. His hair was graying and unkept, clothes wrinkled, eyes bloodshot. “Mr. Jungeon?” She said gently. “I'm Im Jiyeon, we spoke on the phone.” He stared at her for a long moment, swaying slightly. “You're the journalist,” his words slurred. “The one asking about my son.” “Yes. May I come in?” He stepped aside wordlessly. The living room was a complete mess. On the wall, was two framed photos. One was a young boy in a school uniform smiling at the camera and the other was one of him, his wife and son. Jiyeon felt her chest tighten. “I told you on the phone,” Jungeon Dae-jung said, slumping on the couch. “I signed an NDA and can't talk. If I break it, they take everything. The money's already gone anyway, hospitals, debts, my wife's care but they can still use me for breach of contract.” “Mr. Jungeon,” Jiyeon said carefu
Chapter Forty Two
“Team 7,” Chef Moon Jungsoo said as he approached our station. “Your ingredients were considered one of the most challenging baskets, let's see what you've done.”He tasted the salad first, his eyebrows rose.“The balance here is excellent,” he said. It's the perfect balance of sweetness, acidity and brightness. Well done.”Next was the octopus, he cut a piece and examined it then tasted it. His expression changed completely.“This is…remarkable,” he said. “The octopus is perfectly tender, not rubbery at all, not to mention the glaze. Who made this?”“Peniel and I worked on it together,” I said.“Exceptional work, both of you,” Chef Moon said. “This could be served in a high end restaurant.”Finally the Panna Cotta, Park Mina tasted it, paused then tasted again.“Creative use of Thai basil,” Park Mina said. “It's unexpected but it works beautifully with the dragon fruit and the texture of the Panna Cotta is incredible.”After some time, we all stood in front of our stations as Hyunwoo
Chapter Forty One
“Team 7,” Chef Moon Jungsoo said as he approached our station. “Your ingredients were considered one of the most challenging baskets, let's see what you've done.” He tasted the salad first, his eyebrows rose. “The balance here is excellent,” he said. It's the perfect balance of sweetness, acidity and brightness. Well done.” Next was the octopus, he cut a piece and examined it then tasted it. His expression changed completely. “This is…remarkable,” he said. “The octopus is perfectly tender, not rubbery at all, not to mention the glaze. Who made this?” “Peniel and I worked on it together,” I said. “Exceptional work, both of you,” Chef Moon said. “This could be served in a high end restaurant.” Finally the Panna Cotta, Park Mina tasted it, paused then tasted again. “Creative use of Thai basil,” Park Mina said. “It's unexpected but it works beautifully with the dragon fruit and the texture of the Panna Cotta is incredible.” After some time, we all stood in front of our stations a
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