
I had a radical notion in mind.
My convention of thought had been trapped by my understanding of the world as a game. But, this was also reality- as paradoxical as it seemed.
If this was true. Then, what if there were certain loopholes? The game was coded to almost perfection, but reality intrinsically held some flaws. I could exploit the human aspect of the word. And if I was right, then the path towards victory would be easy.
“He should be here any moment,” I muttered to myself as I watched the few late-night gym-goers work out to the beat of a trendy pop song.
“Why am I here with you, just to meet someone?” Kim Si-woo grumbled lightly as he leaned against a nearby wall with an instant coffee can in hand.
“Convenience. Also, you shouldn't drink caffeine at night.” I replied as I checked the clock, which was inching closer to 9 PM.
"Whatever," Kim Si-woo sighed and took a sip of his drink.
Sure enough, at precisely 9 PM on the dot, a familiar man boasting highly impressive muscles walked through the automatic, glass double doors of the gym.
I began to move, with Kim Si-woo in tow.
“Excuse me!” As I reached my hand out to the man- the NPC responsible for giving out the ingredient, I felt the world tremble for the moment.
Kim Si-woo's hand suddenly extended onto my shoulder.
“Do you need something?” The man asked.
“I met you a few days ago at the tracks. I wanted to ask you about the ingredients list you showed me last time,” I ignored Kim Si-woo’s hand on my shoulder as I focused more towards the man.
“Oh, Charlotte? Was there something wrong with it?”
“Can you provide me with another list? The previous one was… lost in an incident.” I stated matter of factly as I felt Kim Si-woo’s hand retreat from my shoulder.
“Oh, sure-”
A heavy pressure momentarily descended and faded, almost like a fleeting spark.
“I’m sorry, I don’t have it. Maybe I can help you with something else?”
“...No, it’s fine. Have a good day.” With disappointment, I dismissed the strange phenomena. It confirmed one thing- the law of the game permeated this world, to an extent.
[This world isn't so easy]
For once, I agreed with the voice. This world was a masochistic game, so it was no surprise.
I’ve always followed the belief that it was no use to challenge authority beyond one’s own calibre. It was better to obey the laws of the world whilst I could.
As I turned around to leave, Kim Si-woo gave me a strange look before he followed suit towards the exit.
“I suppose that was my night wasted for nothing. Goodnight.” As we both stepped out of the gym, Kim Si-woo bitterly waved goodbye and headed towards the male dorms positioned in the opposite direction of the female ones.
With a prompt nod, I watched as Kim Si-woo’s figure disappeared into the night.
[Are you not going to follow him?]
“Why would I?” I muttered in reply to the voice’s sudden appearance.
[What if he encounters some danger? You never know~ the butterfly effect can be scary…]
I paused for a moment to contemplate.
What if, just as Kim Si-woo was about to enter his dorm room, a truck collided with him from above? Or worse, he opened the doors of a truck by accident and it ate him?
I frowned slightly at the implication. Although the voice’s intentions were definitely sinister, it was nonetheless correct. Kim Si-woo was instrumental for my plans.
[Yes, yes!]
Although my position was more of a frontline offensive specialist, I never doubted my stealth. With an eagle-eyed focus on Kim Si-woo’s figure, I began to follow him.
No trucks shall pass-!
“Why are you following me?” Kim Si-woo immediately turned around and stared me- no, a pole in the eyes.
[Gasp… hiding behind a pole wasn’t a good hiding spot!?]
Don’t worry, it’s a bluff. If I don’t move, he won’t notice…
[He… didn’t notice?]
The voice gasped as I watched Kim Si-woo turn back around and continue towards the dorm-
[Wa!]
- Until he suddenly spun around again!
Luckily I managed to hide behind a nearby bin. I watched as Kim Si-woo stared in my direction for a moment.
And then another moment.
And then another moment.
And then, he slowly walked back towards where I was.
Did he forget something?
[He forgot his wife!]
Useless.
“Why are you following me?” Kim Si-woo squatted next to me with narrowed eyes and a wide smile.
I was found out.
“Safety. I need to ensure it.” I bluntly replied, staring straight into his unimpressed dark eyes.
“What are you? My mom?” Kim Si-woo spat back with a raised eyebrow.
I silently stared at him as he sighed, stood up and continued to move on. Naturally, I followed, walking an appropriate distance from behind him, where I could intervene and save him from any danger.
[You should also hold hands, just in case, you never know!]
I paused for a moment to consider the voice’s proposal. It was theoretically granted greater coverage for protection, however, it diminished my ability to maintain a platonic relationship.
Wait, why would I ever consider that in the first place? Not to mention how it occupies one hand, I wasn’t comfortable enough with the protagonist to hold hands yet.
[Yet? There is hope after all…]
I ignored the voice and moved slightly closer to Kim Si-woo.
Just in case.
However, as I inched closer, Kim Si-woo suddenly stopped in his tracks with a frown.
“Something wrong?” I asked, standing next to Kim Si-woo.
“Do you not sense it?” Kim Si-woo muttered, hands gripped tightly in a fist.
I focused my senses, which were likely diminished by the voice, when sudden total darkness enveloped the walk paths previously lit by street lights.
"Lotte!" I could hear the faded voice of Liu Qiufeng and Mikhail in the background before everything shifted.
Drip.
The fresh spring air had been replaced by unparalleled dampness, with the support of flat concrete now destabilised into wet chunks of different elevations.
I looked at Kim Si-woo, who seemed strangely prepared for this. Were Kim Si-woo's senses this sharp in the original, or were my senses simply that dulled?
Either way, we were no longer on Earth.
Why are you following me?”
see that's your problem should have gotten 100 sneak first
Mindbreak!
Is the mc's mind being messed with by any chance?
I wonder...
What if, just as Kim Si-woo was about to enter his dorm room, a truck collided with him from above? Or worse, he opened the doors of a truck by accident and it ate him?
This is a good chapter
I love it
similar hidden in pole :D
Thank you for the story!