Chapter 101
“...”
“...”
We stared at each other blankly for a moment. The first thought that crossed my mind was... is this for real?
Yoon Joong-hyun. This guy has a very aggressive style online. His tone is arrogant.
“...Have a seat.”
“Sure, whatever.”
I don’t know what Yoon Joong-hyun was thinking as he smacked his lips, but he offered me a seat. I didn’t decline.
“Your coffee is ready.”
As if it had been ordered in advance, two cups of coffee were placed on the table naturally.
Ah, I don’t drink coffee. I only drink sweet frappuccinos or ades.
Because of that, I didn’t even think about touching the coffee, but Yoon Joong-hyun’s expression hardened in real-time as if interpreting my reluctance.
“...”
“...”
It wasn’t loud, but the sound of quiet conversations filled the café. The two of us sat silently, staring at each other, while the coffee cooled with every passing second.
By the time the steam had completely disappeared from the coffee.
“First... Let me reintroduce myself.”
Yoon Joong-hyun finally broke the silence.
“I am a former National Intelligence Service (NIS) agent and will soon be the head of the ‘Player Management Department’ at the Korean branch of the Player Association.”
“...”
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NIS? The Korean branch of the Player Association? The names were more grandiose than I expected. Can a former NIS agent even reveal their affiliation like that? But I didn’t say anything.
Maybe it was because I was mentally exhausted that I was indifferent to such grand titles, or perhaps it was a bit of arrogance since I’m a regressor and thought, ‘What can you guys do?’
“Oh, by the way, the Player Association will be established starting with the U.S. branch in a month...”
“I know.”
The Player Association. In a month from now, the U.S. government will establish it. I just didn’t know there would be a Korean branch.
“...You know?”
“Yes. Isn’t Michael Jeter the head of the association?”
“...”
This time, it was Yoon Joong-hyun who fell silent. Ah, right. This information won’t be released until a month later.
“Was I not supposed to say that? Sorry, I’m a bit out of it right now.”
“...It’s fine. Anyway, let’s get straight to the point. Here is the information.”
He opened a black briefcase and took out a thick stack of papers. It was so thick that when he put the report on the table, it landed with a thud.
(Report on Survivors of the 4th Floor)
The title was straightforward. This must contain all the information I was looking for.
Swoosh.
Yoon Joong-hyun pushed the report towards me, as if inviting me to take it whenever I wanted.
“What’s the price?”
It’s information from a former NIS agent. It couldn’t have been easy to gather. There must be a price.
And, as if confirming my suspicion, Yoon Joong-hyun nodded slightly.
“The price is simple. I plan to persuade you to join the Player Association. Just listen to me for ten minutes. How about it?”
“...”
Without answering, I leaned back slightly, getting comfortable. It was a posture that signaled him to go ahead.
At first, I thought, “Huh? That’s it?” But... on second thought, I am incredibly strong. And also a regressor.
?
A chance to convince a regressor? That alone seems like a worthy price. My time is incredibly ‘valuable’, after all.
“Thank you. Let’s get started right away.”
Yoon Joong-hyun pulled out a laptop from his briefcase, positioning it so we could both see the screen.
Click. Click.
A PowerPoint presentation appeared on the laptop screen. Yoon Joong-hyun boldly skipped the title, contents, and the introduction.
“I’m sorry. I was expecting just a fearless unemployed guy, not someone of your caliber, Jun-ho.”
He explained that their original target was “an ambitious unemployed person.”
The beginning of the presentation detailed the economic benefits, the support one could receive, and how to quickly become stronger upon registering with the association.
It was clear they hadn’t expected someone like me.
“Actually, I’ve been observing you throughout your time on the 4th floor.”
Yoon Joong-hyun said, flipping through the slides.
“I sensed kindness, fatigue, and responsibility. With great power comes great responsibility, but great power also allows you to evade that responsibility. If you had chosen to survive alone, no one could have blamed you.”
He pointed at the laptop screen.
“Take a look.”
“...Excel?”
The screen displayed a densely packed Excel sheet. Thanks to my enhanced physical abilities, I could read it without issue, but its visibility was terrible.
“Initially, I made the text small to test the abilities of the player I would meet, but there’s no need for that with you, Jun-ho.”
Yoon Joong-hyun enlarged the screen for better visibility. The content of the Excel sheet was simple. It was a detailed record of the people who had entered the 4th floor.
“This is our association’s ultimate goal.”
He swept his fingers across the numbers.
“God controls the information, coercing people to enter the tower unprepared. But that doesn’t mean we should just stand by, does it?”
“...”
“By approaching it systematically, there is definitely a solution. Even if God controls all the information, it’s not entirely impossible to prepare in advance.”
Tap.
The ‘time’ section on the Excel screen was highlighted.
“Firstly, statistics. Statistics have immense value on their own.”
It’s impossible to share what happens within each floor. But knowing when someone entered and exited can be shared. This alone is valuable information.
How many people entered each floor? What’s the average time taken to clear it? How many survived? By compiling these statistics, one can create valuable information for others.
Based on these metrics, one can predict the danger level of each floor. It will help people prepare more thoroughly and positively impact survival rates.
“...I see.”
I remembered an article that claimed the survival rate of the 2nd floor was incredibly high when I had just cleared the tutorial and was waiting to enter the 2nd floor. The association must have had a hand in that.
“It’s a good idea.”
?
If almost every player in the world joins the association, the possibilities are endless.
Not only can player crimes be effectively prevented, but self-regulatory vigilante groups could also be formed. Instead of players scattered across the internet sharing opinions individually, a global community could emerge where players from all over the world gather to discuss.
Seeing that an NIS agent holds a position within the association, it’s clear they’ve secured cooperation from various nations. Yes, the possibilities are endless.
“But... there’s not enough incentive for people to join.”
Yoon Joong-hyun clenched his fist tightly.
Once the Player Association starts to gain momentum, it will spread rapidly. But as with any initiative, the beginning is the hardest part.
Even though they offer money and fame, players still don’t trust the government. Rumors about human experimentation on players are still widespread. Those rumors might even be true.
“That’s why the presence of a ‘hero’ is necessary.”
They desperately need someone like Michael Jeter, someone who can draw others in.
“And in my opinion...”
“Your 10 minutes are up.”
I picked up the thick report and stood up.
I understand what these people are trying to do and why they want me. But I’m not that kind of person. I’m not a shining hero... more like a beetle crawling through the dirt.
Moreover... I don’t think this organization will always shine. Large organizations rarely do.
“I have no intention of joining any organization. But if necessary, I will cooperate in the future.”
“...Understood.”
Yoon Joong-hyun seemed to understand what I meant. I tucked the report under my arm and headed out of the café...
“Oh, Mr. Joong-hyun. May I ask you one last question?”
“...Go ahead.”
“Did the actions you took on the 4th floor have anything to do with the association’s activities?”
“Haha.”
Yoon Joong-hyun burst into laughter, shaking his head.
“Do you remember the box on the 3rd floor, the one that was empty?”
“...The one in the hidden room?”
“Yes, inside that box was a ’single-use escape ticket.’”
“Ah.”
So, there was insurance in case things went wrong. Now it makes sense.
I always found it suspicious that Yoon Joong-hyun, who wasn’t entirely benevolent like William Smith and Baek Da-hye, followed my lead without questions. I always wondered if he had some ulterior motive.
So he secretly searched the 3rd floor without telling me? It’s a bit annoying, but since he did his part, I won’t blame him.
And someone who is a bit shrewd is usually the perfect partner.
After cramming the newly acquired information into my head, I left the café with a light step.?
?
***
?
Back at my apartment, I tossed the report onto the bed.
There was no surveillance. Given the suspicious behavior of the men in black suits, I had my doubts, but it seems they weren’t that dirty.
“There are three main things I need to do.”
First. Talk to Choi Ji-won when she returns.
Second. Train my mana.
Third. Read the report.
Right now, the only thing I can do without any preparation is the third, reading the report.
As I came and went, I started to get hungry (in the tower, there’s rarely a chance to eat, and even when there is, the food is tasteless, so I had a strong craving for delicious food).
I ordered two whole chickens and devoured them right where I sat.
“Phew.”
Finally, I picked up the report titled <4th Floor Survivors Report>.
It was time to analyze the information and start making some serious plans.
– – – End of Chapter – – -
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