Fuck. Monsters. Now they were calling them monsters.
[“They are ancient beings of unknown origin.”]
[“They resent their inability to belong anywhere, and are constantly consumed by rage and a thirst for destruction.”]
The system’s voice grew somber.
[“Originally, they feared the administrators of worlds—systems like me—and wouldn’t dare attack a world outright.”]
[“But during the fusion of the two worlds, the system that served as the core of Lee Eun-soo’s world disappeared—”]
Disappeared?
That system had once been just as omnipotent as the one speaking before him now. It was hard to believe such a being could simply vanish into nothingness. If anything, that system had likely been more stable than the one he was dealing with now, the one that had repeatedly violated taboos.
So then how…?
…Oh.
He suddenly remembered something the other system had said:
“If we take him by force, there will be risks on our end as well… but it can’t be helped.”
He didn’t know the exact nature of those “risks,” but perhaps that was what had led to the system’s disappearance. That system probably hadn’t wanted the fusion at all. Whether it clashed with this one in a direct confrontation or was taken by surprise without the chance to respond…
In the end, it had lost.
His gaze was drawn once more to the eerie stains in the background. The black splotches looked disturbingly like blood splatter.
[“Sensing my weakened state, some of the monsters have been launching attacks from time to time.”]
Even though the system could likely read his thoughts, it didn’t deny his suspicions. It merely watched him warily, then continued its explanation.
[“As I mentioned earlier, the fusion destabilized space and time, causing fractures throughout the world… So to them, this world must look like a prime feeding ground.”]
[“Espers across the globe are currently dealing with the threat.”]
Beep. A video projection flickered into view mid-air. Footage of Espers clashing with monsters played before his eyes.
He froze, transfixed by the screen.
Monsters emerged from the spatial rifts in the sky—creatures so grotesque and unreal they defied description. Just looking at them made his stomach turn. They looked like something ripped straight from an ultra-detailed game engine, too intricately rendered to be real.
The Espers charged at the monsters. Dozens fought to bring down a single creature, and more often than not… they died.
When someone lost control from using too much power, it disrupted the battle so severely that, at times, they were killed by their own teammates—a tragic outcome.
The screen continued flicking through various scenes… Then it settled on four individuals, each facing a monster alone.
They were familiar faces.
“..!”
His fist clenched instinctively. A storm of conflicting emotions surged through him.
What shocked him the most was seeing Jang Hee-gang and Joo Cheong-gyeong actively hunting monsters. Terrorists who had once belonged to their own organizations were now considered heroes in this fused world.
The world, once torn apart by Espers fighting each other, had transformed into one where they now stood united against a common enemy.
Even as he watched them doing the same job, it still felt unbelievable. And yet…
Every one of them fought with hollow expressions, as if it wouldn’t matter if they dropped dead in battle right then and there.
His mood sank.
[“The footage you just saw is from the past—according to the timeline of this fused world.”]
[“From a current standpoint, the day Jang Hee-gang came looking for you, Cha Eun-soo-nim, was the exact day the fusion took place.”]
[“And the moment the fusion happened, the Cores’ memories came flooding back.”]
[“The passage I created… the moment I first met you through the game—that’s when it all began. Every memory from then on came back.”]
The system shrank back a little as it added:
[“It was an outcome even I hadn’t anticipated…”]
So that’s how Jang Hee-gang had found him. He still didn’t know how he’d managed to track him down so fast the moment his memories returned, but…
…what about the other three?
[“Of course, they also began searching for you immediately—though they weren’t quite in their right minds at the time. They each made it to where you were being held.”]
[“But while you were unconscious, they apparently reached… some kind of agreement.”]
……
[“It seemed like they planned to take turns spending time with you, in the order they found you. I’m not sure how it will go in the end.”]
[“But in a world where monsters can attack without warning, it looks like they decided it was better to join forces—whether they liked it or not—in order to protect you perfectly from such threats.”]
Kind of funny, really. They were talking like he was the only human on Earth in danger from these monsters.
[“To the Cores, you are everything, Cha Eun-soo-nim.”]
The system looked up at him with big, pleading eyes, as if begging him to understand.
[“Their feelings for you are genuine.”]
He knew that better than anyone.
[“It’s just… they all seem to believe that you ran away from them. That’s why their emotional states are… a little more…”]
The system trailed off, unable to finish the sentence clearly, its words growing murkier.
That obsessive emotion, already intense to begin with, had now grown into something beyond description.
From their perspective, he’d run away not once, but twice. So their reaction made sense.
It wasn’t fear he felt—more like a growing urge to see for himself just how far things had gone. He was already experiencing Jang Hee-gang’s feelings firsthand, every single day.
……
The fact that the four of them—who constantly competed with one another—had formed an alliance was downright shocking. Especially considering how his hyung had once seen Jang Hee-gang as a sworn enemy.
“So.”
He stood up straight.
“So what, I’m just supposed to keep letting myself get dragged around and play the docile little Guide?”
He looked down at the system with an expression that said, I knew it.
“That’s what this is really about, isn’t it?”
[C-Cha Eun-soo-nim…]
The system flinched.
[“…That’s not it.”]
Its cracked, fragile face twisted into something sad.
[“The current world would fall apart without the Cores, yes—but caring for them is entirely your choice, Cha Eun-soo-nim.”]
So it was only now realizing that.
[“Like I said before… I only wanted to apologize.”]
[“No system has the right to treat a living being however they please.”]
It bowed its head deeply, as if consumed with guilt.
[“I’m truly sorry for manipulating your fate and violating both your mind and body.”]
Silence fell between them.
He quietly stared at the back of the system’s round little head.
“That’s it?”
[“Huh?”]
“That’s it?”
Anyone could say sorry. Humans, in some cases, even offered material compensation alongside their apologies.
But if this was the system’s idea of repaying him for soul abduction and deceit—just a few hollow words—then that was unacceptable.
Seriously.
Fucking disappointing.
The system suddenly jerked its head up and began glancing around nervously.
[“I-I could give you something if you want…?”]
“The best thing you can offer.”
The system’s eyes went wide.
He crossed his arms and said nothing more. It was his way of telling it to really think about it.
Yeah, fuck it. This was way better than just yelling profanities in a fit of rage, like he’d originally planned. This way, he could actually get something out of it.
[“…If it’s the best thing…”]
The system’s eyes twitched, as if something had instantly come to mind.
[“It’s my Authority…”]
[“B-but I don’t have much left, Cha Eun-soo-nim. Like I said before, I’m going to disappear soon.”]
“And even if you disappear, the world itself won’t fall apart?”
[“No…”]
“Good. So what can I do with this Authority of yours?”
[“Well…”]
The system replied in a tearful voice.
[“If I give you everything I have left right now, first of all—the monsters won’t be able to approach you.”]
Difficult to believe, but…
So the monsters really were afraid of the system. Just having that power inside him would be enough to keep them at bay.
[“You’d also be able to use the Third Eye again—the one you used before.”]
[“You could heal the diseases and wounds of any living creature other than yourself…”]
Was it insane?
It said it only had a bit left, but that sounded pretty damn useful.
“Give it.”
He gave a short nod, blunt and final.
“Give it to me, and then disappear.”
From the way the system had talked earlier, it seemed like it had already come to terms with dying—and had summoned him here to make peace before it went. Might as well pay its dues before it passed on.
In a world where monsters could break in at any time, this power was perfect. It was, after all, the power of a high-level entity that governed the world. Of course it would be potent.
The system seemed to think the same, but didn’t dare say something stupid like “Do you really need it?”
It had already said this was a moment of atonement. After a moment of fidgeting and hesitation, the system finally moved its lips again.
[“If that’s what you want, Cha Eun-soo-nim…”]
He nodded once more.
Seeing his unwavering expression, the system looked resigned.
[“…Alright, Cha Eun-soo-nim. I’ll give you everything.”]
Then it slowly reached out its hand.
[“Please, take this.”]
He extended his arm as well, about to clasp its hand—when the system, seemingly wanting to speak its last words before transferring its Authority and vanishing completely, began to speak again.
[“Also… The current Cha Eun-soo-nim is no longer the same as the Cha Eun-soo of the past.”]
[“Your life as Lee Eun-soo has merged with your former self, and you’ve unconsciously adapted to the conditions of this fused world…”]
[“You’ve changed, haven’t you?”]
In the space where the video had played earlier, a status window appeared—his current information screen. It was neatly summarized for easier viewing.
He scrolled through it with indifference… until his eyes stopped on the empty family section.
“…”
A subtle ache stirred in his chest.
Sensing it, the system hesitated.
[“Your family members—those who were once part of Cha Eun-soo’s life—are still alive and well in this world.”]
Without a word, he reached out and firmly grabbed the hand the system had been offering. Its large, round eyes swirled as it opened its mouth again.
[“If you’d rather not see them—”]
“No need.”
The system went quiet for a moment. But soon, it squeezed his hand gently in return.
[“Then…”]
[“…Thank you, Cha Eun-soo-nim.”]
A strange glimmer flickered in its blue eyes as it looked up at him.
[“And… I’m sorry.”]
[I hope the rest of your life is filled with happiness—untainted by my selfish interference.]
The childlike voice whispered softly. And then, through the point where their hands touched, something foreign began to flow into him. A sensation both hot and cold at once—strangely indescribable.
That undefinable presence spread throughout him entirely.
And then—His vision went black, as if a curtain had dropped.
…In the distance, he could faintly hear the sound of something solid shattering.
