DB Vol 1 Part 8

The manager looked at him with incredulous eyes and left, clicking his tongue. Only after the manager disappeared from the corridor did Won-woo open the door and quietly step inside. A dark interior greeted him, but he deliberately didn’t turn on the lights. He stepped inside without even taking off his shoes.

In his hand was a small flashlight he had purchased before coming here. Even in the chaotic situation, he had somehow managed to buy necessary items. The flashlight’s light-emitting opening was covered with tape, so even when the switch was turned on, the light was dim.

But this was enough for Won-woo. The house wasn’t large, about 18 pyeong, and he carefully examined the inside by slightly pushing the closed doors with his hand. Everything was done quietly so that not even footsteps could be heard.

A moment later, after confirming that there was no one else inside, Won-woo approached the front window covered with blackout curtains. He stopped one step behind the curtain and slightly parted it, just enough for one or two finger joints to fit. With even the flashlight turned off, making it dark, he carefully looked outside through the gap in the curtain.

[Why are you examining your own house like a thief?]

It was still a voice mixed with static noise as if the communication wasn’t good. Still, it was clear that the tone was monotonous without highs and lows. Perhaps that’s why it also felt cynical.

Such a cold AI. He found it interesting, but he couldn’t reveal his true thoughts even to a machine. The data would surely be transmitted to Sang-cheon, so he had to be careful. So instead of saying that it was a habit to thoroughly examine the interior when entering an unfamiliar place, he asked a question.

“How did you know I was examining like a thief?”

[I can’t hear the sound of lights being turned on, and you’re walking around the interior with your shoes on. You’re even suppressing your breathing.]

Won-woo was momentarily impressed. No, is the microphone performance of this communicator ultra-super-excellent? Of course, if it was Sang-cheon’s item, that was highly likely.

As someone who dabbled in all sorts of miscellaneous skills and collected gadgets as a hobby, it would be believable even if he had a spaceship carrying aliens. But no matter how ultra-high the performance was, being able to draw such conclusions meant the AI was exceptional.

“Nani, you have good observation skills.”

He complimented, but there was no response. He had spoken to it several times since the center entrance, but strangely, when called by name, it wouldn’t answer for a while like this.

Won-woo didn’t pay attention to it and looked outside a bit more. When he deemed it safe, he belatedly turned on the lights and looked around the interior. The living room, with only minimal furniture and not even a TV, was empty. That’s why an even more absurd laugh came out. Just like my house. He used to live like this in his original world too.

During the war, not knowing when he might die, he got into the habit of living with minimal possessions. This habit continued even after the war ended. While he had done so due to the war’s influence, it was strange that the Ji Won-woo here lived similarly. Was he always thinking of leaving? He recalled the serenity that spread across Ji Won-woo’s face at the moment of his death.

He had reached the death he wanted, but the current Won-woo was different. Now that he was here, he had no intention of leaving this world. Even if it was a society ruled by Espers he had fought to the death against, if the colleagues he considered family were alive, he was determined to survive until the end.

That was enough. It didn’t matter if espers treated him like a slave. He had already received his reward by meeting Sang-cheon. And in the future, he might meet other living colleagues. At that thought, Won-woo’s heart swelled.

“Where should I search to find people?”

[Who are you looking for?]

“Espers. There’s also one Guide. …And another Esper.”

[Since Mr. Ji Won-woo is a center-affiliated Guide, it shouldn’t be difficult to find Espers. Of course, you’d need permission, but you can search when there’s no supervisor around.]

“Isn’t that illegal? You give such advice too?”

[Yes.]

The answer sounded somewhat annoyed. As expected from an AI made by Sang-cheon, it’s different in every way. As he was freshly impressed, the explanation continued.

[The problem is the Guide. Since Guides mostly manifest randomly, one place monopolizes the information by surveying Guide manifestation among all ordinary people every year. Even the Center needs permission from that place to obtain necessary Guides, that’s how powerful they are.]

“Where is that place?”

A brief silence passed, and it strangely felt like disbelief. But an AI wouldn’t feel that way.

[The Ji family.]

“…Ah.”

Won-woo let out a short exclamation and then gave a dejected laugh.

“Well, they’ve always clung to Espers and served as their lapdogs.”

[…..]

“But how did the lapdogs manage to seize that much power? Espers wouldn’t have just let it happen.”

It was more of a question he posed to himself, yet the AI replied with a slow explanation.

[The Ji family was the first to discover the Alpha Seeds long ago. Even now, most Alpha Seeds come from them.]

Wasn’t the probability of Alpha seeds in nature one in a million? A Guide, not even an Esper, discovered that? Moreover, considering the Ji family people who do all sorts of bad things, there was a high possibility that they stole it from the first discoverer. Or… Won-woo thought of another possibility but shook his head.

“The Ji family people don’t have the ability to create Alpha seeds.”

[Alpha seeds are not something that can be created.]

Won-woo chuckled at those words.

“Well, that’s how it is here.”

[Are you saying there are places where they can be created?]

“There must be somewhere.”

Was there interference in the communicator? He thought he heard something about dogs amidst the static. Won-woo took the communicator out of his ear, tapped it on his palm a couple of times, and put it back in.

“So you’re saying I need to go to the Ji family to know the Guide’s information?”

[To the Guide One foundation of the Ji family. Since Mr. Ji Won-woo is a direct descendant, you should be able to pass security.]

“…..”

[Who’s the Guide you’re looking for?]

Won-woo stared into space for a moment before blurting out.

“Someone I want to see.”

[Even if it’s someone you want to see, they must have a name, right?]

“The name I know wasn’t their real name. I’m not sure if they use that name here too.”

[You keep saying ‘here’?]

Well, because this is here.

“You ask a lot of questions, don’t you?”

[Is it not allowed to ask many?]

This time, it was clearly a sarcastic tone. Won-woo silently curved his lips. Was being cheeky the concept?

“No, it’s because you’re cute.”

[…Sh1t.]

Won-woo’s eyebrows raised as he heard what sounded very faintly like a curse.

“You didn’t just curse, did you?”

[I could have.]

“That can’t be. The prime directive of AI is that they can’t harm humans. That includes cursing. Unless you’re a fake AI.”

[…..]

“But you didn’t know you can’t curse? You’re really cute. Is it because you’re a beta version?”

Suddenly, the communication seemed to cut off, and even the static noise disappeared.

“Nani? Hwang Nani?”

A moment later, along with static, a low voice that seemed to be suppressing something was heard.

[Why am I Hwang Nani?]

“The person who made you is Mr. Hwang, right?”

He thought he heard a sound with a double consonant, but the static was louder, so Won-woo didn’t pay much attention to it.

“Nani.”

[What?]

“I’ll be counting on you from now on.”

There was no answer, but Won-woo clenched and unclenched his fist, speaking as if making a resolution.

“I have a lot to do here, you know.”

The biggest topic at the Center that day was Ji Won-woo, who had returned alive from the monster farm. It was not only a mystery how he had survived unscathed, but his escape from the hospital was also a hot topic. They said he had memory problems due to a head injury. Yet he showed up at the Center in that state. Everyone thought he had come to say his final goodbyes. Of course, no one was in the mood to welcome him.

“Wow, that troublemaker. He crawled out unharmed after supposedly being attacked by monsters.”

“Maybe the monster knew he was a nuisance and spat him out after biting him.”

“Shit, then shouldn’t that bastard be in charge of monster extermination from now on?”

In the large office labeled “Head Team 3,” there were six people, three of whom openly cursed and sneered as soon as they saw Won-woo. However, despite their mockery, Won-woo was busy looking around the interior with curious eyes.

The two people sitting side by side at the end of the office just looked at him with frowning eyes, and when their gazes met, they frowned even more. They didn’t show any more hostility than that, but their disgust seemed even stronger than the three Espers who were cursing. Neither of them was an Esper… Ah, they must be Guides. That’s probably why their faces were unfamiliar.

They seemed to dislike Ji Won-woo, who was also a Guide, quite a bit. But the sharp gazes of his colleagues weren’t important. Since coming to this East Center, Won-woo had witnessed many people who had died in his world walking around alive. It gave Won-woo hope. In this world, everyone Won-woo held dear might still be alive.

“What’s that idiot grinning about?”

One Esper let out an incredulous voice, but Won-woo ignored them and looked at the last person. Sitting at a desk apart from the other Espers was Il-hae, who had come to the hospital. He looked at Won-woo with disapproval, and when their eyes met, he turned away first. It was obvious that he didn’t want to join the cursing group, nor did he want to get involved with Won-woo. But as soon as Won-woo saw him, he walked straight over.

“What do you want?”

He asked in a startled voice.

“Where’s my seat?”

“What? Haa…”

Il-hae sighed and vaguely pointed to a seat with his finger. It was near where the two Guides were sitting. Then he reluctantly asked a question.

“Why on earth did you come here?”

“This is where I work, isn’t it?”

Laughter erupted among the Espers at Won-woo’s answer. Il-hae sighed again and put his hand to his forehead as if he had a headache.

“You didn’t do any work anyway. And you’re not in a state to work now, are you?”

“That’s for the higher-ups to decide.”

“Didn’t you come to sign a long-term leave form?”

“No, I didn’t.”

Leaving Il-hae with his mouth half-open in disbelief, Won-woo went to his seat. As he sat down, he asked the two Guides who were staring at him:

“Do you have something to say to me?”

The two looked at Won-woo as if they had heard the most terrible sound in the world.

“Is he not just having memory loss but actually gone crazy?”

“Yes, he certainly seems that way.”

Judging by their reactions, it was clear that Ji Won-woo had never spoken to them before. Regardless of how they viewed him, Won-woo had other important purposes and didn’t pay any more attention to them. If only it weren’t for the muttering he heard in his ear.

[The atmosphere is f***ing terrible.]

Won-woo was examining the computer while moving the mouse when he paused. Did he just hear a curse word that sounded like ‘f’?

“What did you say it was like?”

[I said the atmosphere is good.]

The usual indifferent reply was heard. Of course, there’s no way it could have cursed. But saying it was good was strange too.

“What looks good to you?”

[Everyone is acknowledging that their colleague has gone crazy.]

Wow, that’s a novel perspective, isn’t it? As expected of an AI, finding advantages anywhere? But Nani’s words seemed correct. He had initially wondered if he should imitate Ji Won-woo, but if they acknowledged he was crazy, there was no need to act like Ji Won-woo. Hwang Nani is impressive.

Won-woo admired this while diligently examining Ji Won-woo’s computer. The Center’s logo appeared, and he accessed the internal intranet. He searched everywhere to see if he could find Center staff, but he didn’t have access to the areas he really needed. Who would have the authority? Won-woo’s eyes wandered and stopped on the ‘Team Leader’s Office’ set up on one side of the office. Now that he thought about it, who was the team leader here?

Just as he was wondering, his eyes met with someone who was just entering the office. The people inside stood up from their seats and greeted him with “Team Leader.” But recognizing Won-woo, he ignored the greetings of his team members and approached menacingly.

“Ji Won-woo. Where do you think you’re crawling out to?”

“Doesn’t that bastard seem a bit strange?”

Although Espers mainly worked in the field, they had to work at the Center for a certain amount of time. However, hardly any Espers properly did the tedious paperwork. So they all wasted time lounging around in the many training rooms within the Center, using training as an excuse. The Espers of Head Team 3 were no exception.

They briefly stopped by the office in the morning, and after finishing their individual training, they gathered one by one in the lounge. When a young Esper in his early twenties first spoke up, the other two Espers opposite him looked at him with a “what?” expression.

“Ji Won-woo. Doesn’t he seem a bit different from before?”

“He’s walking around with his head held high. His speech has become arrogant too. But it doesn’t change the fact that he has zero ability. So there’s no need to pay attention to him.”

Another Esper nodded.

“I’d only be concerned if Ji Won-woo stripped naked, spread his legs, and begged to be fvcked.”

There were other Espers in the spacious lounge, but they snickered without paying attention to them. Il-hae, who was with them, didn’t laugh at the vulgar joke, but he agreed on one point. The second time he saw Ji Won-woo, he did seem different from before the accident. Today too, he looked straight into his eyes while talking. He didn’t avoid the gazes of others, not just his own. Instead, he even carefully scanned everyone’s faces as if observing.

“I thought he might be lying about losing his memory, but it seems to be true. He looked straight into my eyes. In the past, he would have walked around with his head bowed.”

One Esper expressed the same opinion as Il-hae’s thoughts.

“Yeah, he was quite arrogant. A mere D-rank Guide daring to act like that.”

The Esper who looked to be in his mid-30s, seemingly the oldest, added lightly while deeply burying himself in the sofa.

“The team leader is going to prevent that bastard from coming out from now on. It’s probably his last day at the Center… Should we give him a farewell beating?”