Hiding a House in the Apocalypse - Chapter 304



Only Krnovel

122. The Fairy Kingdom

Red Archive Bulletin Board.

As always, it’s full of energy.

This liveliness is due in large part to the youth of the friends who are active on this bulletin board, but the biggest reason is probably that the game that formed the basis of this bulletin board is still being serviced in Jeju Island.

Actually, based on my observations of this bulletin board for a long time, it has always been the game companies that lead the bulletin board discussions.

You can tell just by looking at the recent notices.

(Patch Notice) The Great Battle! White Tiger is held!

When new competitive content is updated in the game, a lot of bait and switch gears are created around this competitive content, and a natural cycle of stories occurs.

Meanwhile, the individual skills of some users create synergy with the story cycle, creating more active and lively content and making it last forever.

It’s a completely different direction from our bulletin board, where the game was played solely based on the individual skills of users in stagnant water.

Well, there is a game being serviced on our bulletin board as well.

But that’s the end of it.

Foxgames: Everyone. Sorry! As you know, the North American data center has been occupied, so the traffic necessary for game operation is not available, and the service is being delayed indefinitely. The operator said that they will expand the new data server soon, so please wait patiently until then. I will also fix the known bugs in the meantime!

Fox Games has finally ended its game service.

Despite the excuse of a North American data center, Fox Gaming’s downfall was already showing strong signs of development.

From the beginning, it was a Frankenstein-like thing that looked good on the outside, but was assembled by stealing other companies’ ideas, source codes, and everything else related to copyright without permission. Even then, he was barely able to run it with the help of capable subordinates, not himself, but he fired those subordinates.

So there’s no way the game will work properly.

I still have a shiny little armband next to my Foxgame nickname, but I’m not really jealous of it.

He is a one-time user.

What’s been catching my eye lately is the shiny thing next to Emgu’s nickname.

What? TM?

Is that a trademark?

It’s true that Mgu is a unique person, but is it really right for him to be evaluated so highly?

Well, there’s nothing I can do.

The creator of our world is Melon Mask and he loves Emgu.

mmmmmmmmm™ : (Emgu on the cliff) Ohhhh. It’s shaking again~ Ohhhhh~~

Even at this very moment, Emgu is burning his last flame.

Emgu’s posts, which even trivialize his own death, are gaining a cult following.

What are you going to do if it really collapses like this?

Are you saying you’re going to say goodbye to everyone?

Well, I guess you’ll figure it out.

What’s important now isn’t something like Mgoo.

There’s a minor problem with the Red Archive bulletin board.

That minor issue is my fan, as I mentioned before.

I’m talking about that friend who would just reply with “ㅋ” to my high-level jokes.

Are you happy: Where do you live?

That user is trying to approach me aggressively.

*

Viva! Apocalypse!, PaleNet, Red Archives bulletin boards.

Having held the title of Named in three communities, Skeleton believes that being a Named is not something you just earn.

I think that named users are recognized as special among the numerous users and have their own responsibilities.

Managing the support base, so-called fandom, can also be seen as one of Named’s main tasks.

It’s along the same lines that I took care of my extreme fan “Yangjahambok” on the Red Archive bulletin board in the past.

One fan is worth more than ten haters.

This is a quote I just came up with.

Therefore, you must show sincerity to your fans.

The problem is the content of the demand.

My new fan, Happy, has been making demands that are not easily accepted.

Where do you live?

This is not an easy question to answer.

If I tell the truth, my grand plans might fall apart, but if I lie, I feel like I’ll be found out right away.

Although Jeju Island itself is large, the human settlements on the island are limited and thoroughly compartmentalized.

It’s a structure that makes it easier to find people than before the war.

It means that even if you tell a clumsy lie, it will be found out right away.

But that doesn’t mean I can let people know that I’m outside of Jeju.

It’s a secret from those around him, but this Park Gyu is registered as a Jeju citizen.

In fact, I have a house in my name on Jeju Island, I have equipment, and I also have my own mission assigned to me by the Jeju government.

Within the Jeju government, this Park Gyu’s position is that of a local informant, or so-called HUMINT.

Chijijik-

Chijijijik–

“This is Park Gyu. There is no unusual activity. There are no signs of erosion here either.”

Once a month, I communicate with Jeju through a dedicated walkie-talkie I brought from Jeju Island.

It seems like I’m the one doing the talking and the other person doesn’t respond, but I’m saying that I’m properly performing my role as a humanist.

This fact is confidential both inside and outside Jeju.

It’s a story that even fans can’t easily tell.

I had no choice but to ignore the fan’s request.

Instead, the frequency and quality of gags were doubled.

Non-paying newbie: What if Anna, the new character, gets hurt?

Non-paying newbie: Pina

“······.”

Wait quietly.

Until my fans commented.

Maybe my fans have added me to their favorites.

Be happy :haha

It’s clear from the way people comment as soon as I post a gag.

However, just because I post a lot of gags doesn’t mean the problem will be solved.

Are you happy? Where do you live? Huh? Why don’t you answer?

My fans are becoming more and more bold in their search for this Park Gyu.

What on earth would we have to talk about if we met?

I tried to have a conversation by using old articles as a chat room.

Non-paying newbie: Why do you keep looking for me?

In this bulletin board, this Park Gyu is set to be in his early 20s.

Artificially added a moderate amount of lightness.

As someone with such a youthful sensibility, it is not difficult to see that my rejuvenation cosplay does not feel awkward, just by looking at the past case of Woo Min-hee.

In any case, the answer is “no.”

In any case, there is no meeting between us.

They won’t even tell you the location.

It’s true that a fan is precious, but if that fan crosses the line, it’s his fault.

But this guy.

Know how to negotiate.

Be happy: I’m going to the Big Hole next week.

Big hole.

It is a word meaning a rift among the young people of Jeju Island.

That means next week my fans will be going into the cracks.

I heard that the survival rate inside the cracks isn’t high.

As miserable as our hunters in the past.

They say that if three people go, only two will return.

That means my only fan is going to hell.

Even if he can’t do it, he’s at least ten years younger than me.

A young friend of mine, my nephew, is in the line of fire.

It’s just a short statement, but it’s enough to strike a chord in my heart because I’ve had similar experiences.

Be happy: Besides, I don’t have any friends. Wherever I go, there are always kids who hang out. That’s me.

Be happy: Like other kids, I left my family behind in Seoul and came here alone. I had no one to talk to and no one to meet, so I noticed you. ㅇㅇ

“······.”

I thought about it for a moment.

What to do about this problem.

If we approach it professionally, we will ignore it.

No, if it were me when I was a professor, I wouldn’t have even come to this bulletin board.

I have similar memories.

Before heading to the first battlefield, the country gave him a week’s vacation along with a generous allowance.

It was the government’s consideration to encourage people to spend quality time with their family, friends, or lovers.

At that time, I had no family, no friends, no lover, nothing.

I was just alone in the room.

I had to spend a long week in the darkened quarters, imagining only killing my enemies, the monsters, without saying a word.

It may have been the best at the time, but if you ask me if it was a good memory, I would say no.

While I was fighting the enemy I had created in my room alone, my phone was always on and I checked it often.

So that I can answer the call if my colleagues come looking for me.

No one came looking for me.

That was something I really remember.

In an area that will probably never be erased.

A junior of mine is about to have a similar experience.

I could tell what kind of personality he had just from a short conversation.

You must be an introvert, reserved, and someone who hates getting hurt.

It may seem difficult to others.

Are you happy? How old are you? How old are you to be so good at dad jokes?

Non-paying newbie: 13th generation.

Are you happy? 13th generation? My distant junior? A baby? Haha

Be happy: I had a younger brother too.

Be happy: We weren’t on good terms. But I miss you so much these days.

I asked him.

Non-paying newbie: When are you going?

Be happy: It’s next Monday, so there are only two days left. I’ve already prepared everything. I’ve even written the memorandum. If you want, I’ll give you all the inheritance. It’s not much, but I don’t have a family anyway. Wouldn’t it be better to give it to the person who made me laugh than to give it all to the country?

I think I know why this guy is looking for me.

It’s about finding someone who will remember you.

Even if I die, I will prove that I was alive in this world.

Inheritance money and all that stuff is probably just bait to fulfill his own small wishes.

Why don’t you know?

Because I had a similar experience.

At the time, I didn’t have the internet so I couldn’t put it into practice, but if I had the internet, wouldn’t I have tried something similar to this guy?

A person can live alone, but there comes a time when he wants to communicate.

The greater the longing, the lonelier the person’s soul will become.

“······.”

A multitude of choices and dangers flash before our eyes.

Things I shouldn’t do and things I wanted to do clashed in my head.

After a while, the commotion of the fight died down and a vague outline of the outcome began to emerge.

I sighed and moved my hands to the keyboard.

Non-paying newbie: Do you want to see me?

*

As children, storybooks often take us on adventures to dreamy places called fairy kingdoms.

A world filled with new and wonderful things that do not exist in this world, a world where everything sparkles like a starry sky.

I can’t create such a paradise.

That’s beyond my talents.

But to some people, being a different world is relative.

I threw a link to my fans.

Non-paying newbie: Don’t tell anyone. Come in secretly.

The link heads to Jeju Island, a narrow island, and penetrates the clouds, hitting the antennas of artificial satellites densely located in the stratosphere where stars reside, reflecting and falling back to the ground.

You might see a data center in the US, whether it’s Florida or Arizona, but realistically, we don’t have eyes for the radio waves themselves, so let’s leave that to the realm of imagination.

Anyway, the Korean bulletin board for “Be Happy in a Huge, Actively Operating Data Center” is placed in a separate category.

Inside, like in any fairy tale, a guide is waiting to show you around the fairy kingdom.

SKELTON: Nice to meet you.

That mysterious guide is none other than Skeleton.

be happy : ??????

Our adventurer looks quite surprised.

Of course.

For him, who was confined to the narrow world of Jeju Intranet, the idea that there was a new world called Viva! Apocalypse! was unimaginable.

SKELTON: (Skeleton Serious) I’m a newbie who doesn’t pay any money.

Are you happy? : S, Skeleton? Are you the weird kid who just uses that emoticon and gets blocked?!

SKELTON: ?

Be happy: What the. Anyway, where the hell am I?

SKELTON: It’s called Viva! Apocalypse!

Are you happy: Viva Apocalypse······? What is that?

SKELTON: Just think of it as another site. Anyway, you said you wanted to meet me, right?

Be happy: Oh, yeah!

SKELTON: As you can see, I am outside of Jeju Island. I am operating by invading the intranet from outside of Jeju Island. That is why I cannot meet you.

Are you happy? Really? Are you lying?

SKELTON: (Skeleton’s deep gaze)

Are you happy? :······What is it?

SKELTON : ······.

Are you happy: Really······? No, this bulletin board. It’s real. They’re all people.

Be happy: Ugh, what is that disgusting picture? Why are you posting a picture of a naked woman hanging herself······.

SKELTON: Hey! Wait a minute!

In the meantime, one of the psychopaths has been unblocked.

I immediately deleted the post and blocked the psychopath.

SKELTON: As you can see, this is a different world from Jeju. Yes. This is a site used by people from all over the world, including the Korean Peninsula, which you call the mainland.

Are you happy? That, that seems true. But Skeleton. How old are you······? (Note)

SKELTON: Age doesn’t matter.

Are you happy? : Are you an old man······?

SKELTON: Let me show you my performance.

I threw a link to Happy.

Link’s destination was the legendary hero born from Viva! Apocalypse! – Twelve Square.

Are you happy?: What, what is this?

SKELTON: (Skeleton smiles) Just catch it.

After the short video, which contained my life and death in its entirety, ended, I asked him what he thought.

SKELTON: How is it? What do you think of my performance?

Are you happy?: What is this? Is this you······?

Be happy : (happiness is shocking)

SKELTON: (Skeleton positive)

Be happy: A lie.

SKELTON: You’re free to believe it or not. But you know, at least you know what to do to check the facts, right?

There is one reason why I brought my fans to this bizarre fairyland.

I wanted to convey one message.

SKELTON: Hang in there.

Life and death on the battlefield depend on luck.

But whether you survive long or walk to your own death depends on your will.

We ordinary people cannot change reality.

So, we must persevere.

To be indifferent even after seeing hell.

Getting used to the same horrible routine every day.

And not falling asleep from the drowsiness that will soon come.

SKELTON: If you want to see something more fun next time.

I waited for an answer.

Are you happy: Are you pretty funny?

SKELTON: What’s the answer?

Be happy: Yeah. I’ll try!

Sent a signal to Valentine.

The moment Valentine typed on the keyboard, a single phrase appeared palely on the sub-monitor, along with a black screen.

[ Disconnected – disconnected ]

Perhaps the fairy kingdom that unfolded before Happy’s eyes has disappeared without a trace.

I looked at the dark screen with a half-smile that was bittersweet but also satisfying.

“Will this help him survive?”

This time too, Valentine, who had listened to my stubbornness, wiped away the beads of sweat and spoke to me.

“well.”

Still with a half smile on her face, she turned her gaze to another screen.

What unfolds there is Viva! Apocalypse!

At least for my fans, it’s a fairyland.

Today, I spoke while looking at the eventful fairy kingdom.

“At least when I die, won’t I have any regrets?”

“Isn’t that more cruel?”

I looked at Valentine.

He shook his head.