Eleuthernemis System

Chapter Three

The 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”.