Chapter 45
Chapter 45:
Digitization.
That was the name of the one and only cyber-based special ability among countless traits in existence, which transferred the user’s mind into cyberspace.
That was the sole effect of Digitization, and it was such an ultra-rare trait that only two people in the entire world had ever manifested it.
At first, no one knew just how incredible Digitization truly was.
No one even knew it existed.
“Until Overlord appeared, that is.”
Overlord.
He was, along with Seo Giwon, one of the only two cyber-based ability users in the world and a possessor of Digitization.
He was an elite graduate of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, and perhaps because of that—
He quickly realized just how incredible Digitization was, using his keen intellect.
And after a decade of preparation, he utilized Digitization to orchestrate an unprecedented event, taking control of every network system on Earth.
Suho shook his head, recalling those memories.
“Even thinking about it now, it was truly absurd.”
It was indeed an unprecedented crisis.
After all, Overlord had taken control of every electronic system on Earth—no, the entire world itself.
Initially, everyone thought it was impossible.
But then, he proved them wrong, seizing control over all the world’s network systems, even going so far as to hold the world’s nuclear weapons hostage.
At that time, people feared that the world would end, not because of the Gates, but because of Overlord.
Despite the upheaval and the rise of the Player System, the modern world still heavily relied on internet networks.
Arrogantly, he declared himself to be both Overlord and the embodiment of Earth itself, or even the ruler of the planet.
And that was when Seo Giwon appeared.
Seo Giwon spoke.
“Why… why me?”
“Because with you, we can prevent future catastrophes.”
“Catastrophes?”
Hearing the word “catastrophe,” Seo Giwon’s eyes widened in shock.
If someone else had said it, he would have laughed it off as a joke.
But the man in front of him was none other than Ahn Suho, the talk of the town and a major figure in current affairs.
And besides, hadn’t Suho found him and rescued him, despite the police and the Korean Hunter Association failing to do so?
Suho continued to speak.
“Yes, in the near future, a disaster caused by human hands will threaten the world. Another person with the same ability as you will appear in a foreign country.”
“…Ah!”
Seo Giwon understood instantly.
He was fully aware of just how powerful his own ability was.
“In fact, Seo Giwon even used his ability to escape on his own.”
How did he escape?
It was simple.
Having the same ability as Overlord, he experienced a mental awakening due to excessive stress during his year of captivity, and using Digitization, he summoned the police and managed to escape.
Of course, he later escaped from the police investigation as well.
By that point, he was utterly disgusted with the thought of interacting with people again.
After that, he vanished.
With Digitization, erasing his own traces from the world was no big deal.
But even he, who had seemingly disappeared forever, couldn’t avoid resurfacing when Overlord emerged.
Watching Overlord, Seo Giwon realized something.
No one but him could stop Overlord.
So he uploaded his story to the internet, like a memoir or last testament, and chose to perish together with Overlord.
He had concluded that destroying Overlord, who had grown far too powerful in contrast to his quiet life, required nothing less.
That was how Seo Giwon came to be known as Meteor.
He had sacrificed himself to end Overlord, who had claimed to be a god and a planet.
“But this time, neither Overlord’s rise nor Seo Giwon’s death will happen.”
Suho intended to make sure of that through Seo Giwon.
Suho continued speaking.
“Mr. Seo Giwon, I have the ability to foresee future events. That’s how I knew how to tackle the Tower of Trials as well as the Sealed Gate. And that’s why I need you. This world is destined to be destroyed someday by the Gates and the System, and preventing that tragedy is beyond my power alone. So, Mr. Seo Giwon, would you join me?”
Hearing Suho’s words, Seo Giwon’s gaze began to tremble as though shaken by an earthquake.
It was already shocking enough to be rescued by someone he’d never imagined would find him, and now he was being invited to become his companion.
On top of that, the reason sounded monumental.
The world was going to be destroyed?
Was that why?
Seo Giwon felt like his head was about to explode.
The rational side of him struggled to accept this utterly unbelievable situation.
But.
[The Ring of Emotion responds to the subject’s strongest emotion.]
[The absorbable emotion is ‘Black.’]
[Absorbing emotion from the subject.]
As soon as Seo Giwon’s emotions destabilized, Suho used the Ring of Emotion.
Suddenly, Seo Giwon’s mind cleared up as if by magic, allowing him to consider the situation calmly once more.
“What should I do?”
Seo Giwon struggled to reach an answer.
But his hesitation didn’t last long.
There were three reasons why.
The first reason was that, during his captivity, he had once resolved to sell his soul to the devil if it meant escaping.
The second reason was that rejecting Suho outright would make him feel too guilty.
After all, Suho was his benefactor who had saved him.
And the third and final reason was…
“To think there’s someone else like me…”
Gulp—
Seo Giwon swallowed dryly.
He knew very well.
The nature of his own ability.
For that reason, he could vaguely predict the kind of catastrophe Suho was talking about.
Therefore, he couldn’t refuse.
Seo Giwon, by nature, was a kind and altruistic person.
After a long moment of contemplation, Seo Giwon had no choice but to respond.
“Al…right.”
A slow answer.
But he agreed.
And so, Suho was able to smile.
“Thank you for accepting.”
“Oh, no… rather, I’m the one who should be grateful.”
Seo Giwon’s acceptance.
In truth, Suho had anticipated that he would accept the proposal.
Based on what he’d read in Seo Giwon’s memoirs… well, anyone who would give up their life for humanity must be altruistic.
Suho smiled and spoke.
“Then, before we get into the details, how about we go out and have a meal?”
“A meal?”
“Yes.”
With that, Suho looked around.
Around the laptop were empty convenience store lunch boxes, bread wrappers, and milk cartons.
Seo Giwon had survived here on this kind of food, trapped like a prisoner.
In the corner was an old blanket, possibly unwashed for who knows how long, which had served as Seo Giwon’s bed.
Suho shifted his gaze back to Seo Giwon.
Then Seo Giwon, swallowing hard at the thought of real food, spoke up.
“But I don’t have any money…”
“Of course, it’s on me. Don’t worry about the cost.”
“Then, just for this time, I’ll gratefully accept.”
Seo Giwon bowed his head, smiling awkwardly as if embarrassed.
Suho was slightly surprised at Seo Giwon’s reaction.
He hadn’t expected him to say something like that under these circumstances.
That made Suho even more determined to severely punish the group who had kidnapped Seo Giwon.
“To think they imprisoned such a good person for half a year…”
What made it more outrageous was that the four who had imprisoned him were like brothers to him, having lived together in the same orphanage as Seo Giwon.
Suho shook his head, pulling a pair of slippers out from his inventory, which he had prepared in advance, and handed them to Seo Giwon.
Seeing this, Seo Giwon’s eyes widened again.
“H-how did you…?”
“You know how, so just wear them comfortably.”
“…Thank you.”
Suho had deliberately prepared slippers for Seo Giwon.
According to his memoirs from the previous life, Seo Giwon had written that, while imprisoned here, he’d been kept without shoes to prevent him from escaping.
At last, the two of them left the basement room and climbed the stairs.
When they finally stepped outside, Seo Giwon saw the clear blue sky, devoid of a single cloud, and the bright, shining sun.
Seeing sunlight, Seo Giwon was astonished.
He hadn’t realized so much time had passed, but more than that, it had been so long since he’d seen a bright sky and sunlight.
“Ah…”
To Seo Giwon, it was like finding hope again.
***
Suho took Seo Giwon to a quiet, nearby traditional soup restaurant.
Luckily, as it was an old establishment, no one recognized Suho, and the two were able to eat in a comfortable atmosphere.
When the soup arrived, Seo Giwon eagerly dug in.
It had been so long since he’d had a proper meal.
Watching him eat with such speed, Suho ordered another bowl of soup and a side of boiled meat, which Seo Giwon accepted, albeit a little embarrassed.
And once his hunger was mostly satisfied, Seo Giwon finally relaxed.
He chuckled awkwardly and said,
“Ha ha… I’m sorry. It’s been so long since I’ve had real food that I couldn’t help myself…”
“It’s fine. Watching you enjoy it is nice.”
“Thank you. Um… there’s something I’m curious about; may I ask?”
“Of course. We’re a team now, right?”
“Thank you. Then… what should I call you?”
Seo Giwon asked cautiously.
Suho smiled and said,
“Just feel free to call me whatever. We’re only a year apart, so you can just use my name.”
“Oh, no! Even if it’s just a year, older is older. I’ll call you ‘hyungnim’ (older brother). And please feel free to speak comfortably with me.”
“Alright, then.”
‘Hyungnim.’
Perhaps because he’d spent so long in the orphanage, he was more accustomed to calling others “hyung” or “hyungnim.”
Seo Giwon spoke.
“Um… hyungnim, why the Korean Hunter Association, of all places?”
“‘Why the Korean Hunter Association?'”
“Isn’t it? With your foresight abilities, you could easily start your own guild or join a large one. Actually, wouldn’t joining a place like the Korean Hunter Association limit your activities?”
Suho chuckled at this.
He’d been asked the same question before.
But he couldn’t answer the same way for Seo Giwon, especially after the “prophet” story he’d spun for him.
Suho answered.
“Because it’s a government agency.”
“Huh?”
“No matter how big a guild gets, it can never surpass official authority. And while my goal is to prevent the end of the world in the future, I also want to reduce other damages along the way. For that, no place is better than the Korean Hunter Association.”
“I see…”
Seo Giwon nodded in understanding.
All his questions were answered in one go.
Suho continued.
“Of course, I’m not saying you have to join the Korean Hunter Association too. I’m me, and you’re you. Plus, our work together is separate from that. But there’s one thing I promise you—while we work together, I’ll make sure that something like this never happens to you again.”
Suho’s assurance made Seo Giwon smile.
Even hearing it was reassuring.
“Yes, thank you. Then I’ll trust you, hyungnim.”
“On that note—”
“Yes?”
“For now, there’s one task I want you to help me with.”
“A task? What kind of task…?”
“The guys who locked you up.”
“Oh, right.”
“First, let’s go take care of them.”
“…What?”
“Follow me.”
Suho grinned as he and Seo Giwon stepped out of the restaurant together.
