Finally! I leave the Time Dilation Chamber carrying my laptop. I then rush for the Control Room. When I arrive there, I see a glum and fuming Kim Housp, my round cute friend.
"Yo, Hosup, what’s up?" I inquire.
"Ah, Hyon, you just came back?" Hosup looks at me with a mix of frustration and exhaustion. "I just lost the last of my drones." He sighs deeply. "The Hero Association has increased their security greatly. I won’t be able to infiltrate them with just drones. This is beyond me." He starts tapping on his smartwatch.
This revelation sinks in. "This means that the Hero Association has something to hide… and they are paranoid enough that even with the weight of Under Cube’s resources, we cannot get past their securities." I contemplate the situation. "Thanks, Hosup. Take a break, and… what are you doing?"
Hosup continues tapping on his smartwatch, "Telling Tomer that you are here. She asked me to inform her if you are back."
“No, no…" I exclaim, using my ability to teleport to Hosup's side, grabbing his smartwatch. "Please don’t tell her!"
Hosup blinks innocently and admits, "I already did."
I pale. "I have to go now…" It hits me that it's been a month, and I seem to have forgotten to inform Tomer about my prolonged absence.
From the other end of the room, Tomer's voice echoes with anger, "HYON HYUNG!"
I look at her, attempting to lighten the mood, "Hey there, Tomer… Good work! How much bonus do you want?"
She's furious, shouting, "I WILL KILL YOU!" and then jumps, throwing a flying kick at me.
I quickly tell her in a single breath, "I missed you too, Tomer. Please continue working hard; the research site has to be found. You and Hosup can do it." Tomer's kick nearly lands on me, but I teleport just in time, my ability sending me to another place.
I find myself amidst the leafy camouflage of a tree, swiftly moving away to find myself in a park here in Seoul. This place is one of the few where I can truly relax.
"Phew, that was close," I mutter, breathing a sigh of relief as I mentally connect to Cube AI. "Hey there, Cube. What are Nayun and Rachel up to? Any news of Suho?"
Seated on a bench, I watch people pass by as I listen to Cube's response. "There is no news about Kim Suho, unfortunately. Rachel returned just a week ago, with her identity as the Queen of England. She plans to leverage her country’s influence to put pressure on the Hero Association. Meanwhile, Chae Nayun returned about three weeks ago. With her grandfather’s help, she has begun attacking the Association passively. Chae Joochul is working to uncover the conspiracy the Association is hiding."
I find myself surrounded by the serenity of the park. People of all ages stroll by, enjoying the natural beauty and the calm atmosphere.
A group of children laughs loudly as they play near the fountain, their voices echoing joy throughout the park. The sound of birds chirping overhead adds a melodic touch to the scene.
Seated on a bench, I take in the vibrant colors of the flowers that decorate the landscape. The gentle breeze carries the sweet scent of blossoms, creating a tranquil ambiance. I feel calm for a moment.
As I absorb the peaceful surroundings, snippets of conversations from passersby reach my ears.
A couple walks hand in hand, the woman saying, "I heard the cherry blossoms will bloom early this year."
A pair of friends sit on a blanket, chatting and enjoying a picnic. One of them exclaims, "Hey, did you hear? The Hero Association is sponsoring a new corporation!" The friend replies, “Really? But isn’t that like… good? Or is it bad? Hmmm… Should we buy government stocks?” Then the other friend replies, “It is called government bonds, doofus, and we don’t buy them. We invest in them.”
I ignore the pair of friends and just relax around.
An elderly couple strolls by, the man remarking, "We used to come here every weekend when we were younger." The woman naughtily remarks, “Yeah, at night… and then we do that collars and leashes… You feeling naughty yet, old man?”
“…” I fake a cough. That sounds like a dangerously weird conversation.
Via my AI system, I begin checking the news. A lot has transpired in the past month, and there are still no signs of Suho returning since he and his team fell into a trap. "Anything else I need to know, Cube?"
Cube responds, "MI6 Agent Sven has brought his team during their reconnaissance of the abandoned factory. It appears that in addition to Sven, his other personnel have also been caught in the trap. The people that vanished that day total ten: Kim Suho, Yi Yeonghan, Yun Seung-Ah, Sven, and the six other MI6 Agents."
"That’s good news… That way, they have more people on their side. It is too soon to give up hope now…" I mull over my thoughts, rubbing my chin as I consider my next move. "Cube, check my prototype for a Transdimensional Walkie-talkie… Sadly, I cannot think of a better name for this thing." I fiddle with my laptop and swiftly send the data to Cube.
Cube analyzes the information. "It is feasible technology, but it will take time."
I inquire, "Approximately how long?"
"At least a month," Cube responds.
"Approximately how long for the first prototype?" I press for more details.
"About 72 hours," Cube informs me.
"Three days, huh?" I mutter to myself as I stuff my laptop into Witch King, my magical hat, utilizing its storage ability.
"Cube, where are Nayun and Rachel right now? I need to talk with them," I inquire urgently.
"In the Chae Hospital. Chae Jinyoon has awakened," Cube responds matter-of-factly.
"What!? Really?" I can't help but feel a rush of excitement, disbelief, and surprise. The Devil Possessed Chae Jinyoon waking up can only mean one thing—Kim Hajin has succeeded! I immediately rein in my emotions. "It is good to be optimistic, but we always must be vigilant."
Cube continues, "Indeed, the subject Chae Jinyoon woke up seven hours ago. They are only waiting for the results of the assessment, ensuring that the Devil’s Seed is no longer inside Chae Jinyoon."
"This… This is good," I manage to say, a grin spreading across my face like that of a child. "This is good news." The hope and relief are palpable in my voice.
The Devil's Seed, a malevolent entity of parasitic nature, exists as a sinister force with the capability to devour a person's very existence. It thrives on the vulnerability of its host, insidiously weaving itself into the fabric of its being.
As the parasitic entity grows stronger, it offers a malevolent bargain—a sinister swap. In exchange for the stolen essence, a Devil emerges, intricately linked to the Devil's Seed. This diabolic manifestation is an embodiment of darkness, inheriting the memories, desires, and consciousness of the once vibrant individual.
The transformation is gradual, insidious, and irreversible. The Devil's Seed, having devoured the host's existence, now orchestrates the puppetry of the Devil it birthed. The host, reduced to a mere shell, becomes a vessel for the malevolent force that has taken residence within.
But with Kim Hajin’s selfless quest to kill the Devils themselves in the Transcendental Plane, there is yet hope for us to cling to. By killing the devils directly themselves, we hope to save those who are afflicted with the Devil’s Seed.
In an instant, I use my ability, teleporting to the Chae Hospital with a burst of speed that blurs the surroundings. As I materialize in the hospital courtyard, I'm met with the attentive gaze of a security guard, sternly blocking my path.
The guard immediately noticing me, gives me a hostile look. "Hold it right there. This area is restricted. No unauthorized personnel allowed."
I quickly assess the situation, realizing that pushing through without explanation would only escalate matters. Taking a calming breath, I address the guard.
"I understand the security protocols, but I'm here on urgent business. I'm Hyon, from Cube. It's imperative that I speak with Chae Nayun and Rachel."
The guard squints, assessing me, "Cube, huh? I need verification."
I swiftly pull out my identification card, handing it over for inspection. The guard scrutinizes it, taking a moment to validate my credentials.
The guard nodding, replies. "Alright, you check out. But I'll be keeping an eye on you."
I nod in acknowledgment, grateful for the guard's adherence to protocol. However, my relief is short-lived as the tension ratchets up when Rachel strides into view, her determined expression literally emanating a kind of aura.
Rachel noticing the confrontation, asks. "What's going on here?"
"This person claims to be from Cube. I verified the ID, but stay alert." The guard replies, duty-bound, and strict.
Rachel shoots me a quick glance, and with a sly grin, she steps forward, throwing a casual arm around my shoulder. "Oh, him? He's with me. We've got some important business to attend to inside. You understand, right?"
The guard hesitates, caught between duty and Rachel's confident demeanor.
"Alright, but keep it quick." The guard reluctantly lets go of the matter.
Rachel smirks, "You bet."
As the guard reluctantly steps aside, Rachel and I share a knowing look before heading into the hospital.
“Is that really necessary?” I whisper.
“Shut up, troublemaker.” She replies exasperatedly.
“It is not like I am going to throw hands with him…” I defensively tell her. “Uuummm... just a quick question... Is old man Joochul still angry with me?”
Rachel drags me by my arm, "See for yourself."
Finally! I leave the Time Dilation Chamber carrying my laptop. I then rush for the Control Room. When I arrive there, I see a glum and fuming Kim Housp, my round cute friend.
"Yo, Hosup, what’s up?" I inquire.
"Ah, Hyon, you just came back?" Hosup looks at me with a mix of frustration and exhaustion. "I just lost the last of my drones." He sighs deeply. "The Hero Association has increased their security greatly. I won’t be able to infiltrate them with just drones. This is beyond me." He starts tapping on his smartwatch.
This revelation sinks in. "This means that the Hero Association has something to hide… and they are paranoid enough that even with the weight of Under Cube’s resources, we cannot get past their securities." I contemplate the situation. "Thanks, Hosup. Take a break, and… what are you doing?"
Hosup continues tapping on his smartwatch, "Telling Tomer that you are here. She asked me to inform her if you are back."
“No, no…" I exclaim, using my ability to teleport to Hosup's side, grabbing his smartwatch. "Please don’t tell her!"
Hosup blinks innocently and admits, "I already did."
I pale. "I have to go now…" It hits me that it's been a month, and I seem to have forgotten to inform Tomer about my prolonged absence.
From the other end of the room, Tomer's voice echoes with anger, "HYON HYUNG!"
I look at her, attempting to lighten the mood, "Hey there, Tomer… Good work! How much bonus do you want?"
She's furious, shouting, "I WILL KILL YOU!" and then jumps, throwing a flying kick at me.
I quickly tell her in a single breath, "I missed you too, Tomer. Please continue working hard; the research site has to be found. You and Hosup can do it." Tomer's kick nearly lands on me, but I teleport just in time, my ability sending me to another place.
I find myself amidst the leafy camouflage of a tree, swiftly moving away to find myself in a park here in Seoul. This place is one of the few where I can truly relax.
"Phew, that was close," I mutter, breathing a sigh of relief as I mentally connect to Cube AI. "Hey there, Cube. What are Nayun and Rachel up to? Any news of Suho?"
Seated on a bench, I watch people pass by as I listen to Cube's response. "There is no news about Kim Suho, unfortunately. Rachel returned just a week ago, with her identity as the Queen of England. She plans to leverage her country’s influence to put pressure on the Hero Association. Meanwhile, Chae Nayun returned about three weeks ago. With her grandfather’s help, she has begun attacking the Association passively. Chae Joochul is working to uncover the conspiracy the Association is hiding."
I find myself surrounded by the serenity of the park. People of all ages stroll by, enjoying the natural beauty and the calm atmosphere.
A group of children laughs loudly as they play near the fountain, their voices echoing joy throughout the park. The sound of birds chirping overhead adds a melodic touch to the scene.
Seated on a bench, I take in the vibrant colors of the flowers that decorate the landscape. The gentle breeze carries the sweet scent of blossoms, creating a tranquil ambiance. I feel calm for a moment.
As I absorb the peaceful surroundings, snippets of conversations from passersby reach my ears.
A couple walks hand in hand, the woman saying, "I heard the cherry blossoms will bloom early this year."
A pair of friends sit on a blanket, chatting and enjoying a picnic. One of them exclaims, "Hey, did you hear? The Hero Association is sponsoring a new corporation!" The friend replies, “Really? But isn’t that like… good? Or is it bad? Hmmm… Should we buy government stocks?” Then the other friend replies, “It is called government bonds, doofus, and we don’t buy them. We invest in them.”
I ignore the pair of friends and just relax around.
An elderly couple strolls by, the man remarking, "We used to come here every weekend when we were younger." The woman naughtily remarks, “Yeah, at night… and then we do that collars and leashes… You feeling naughty yet, old man?”
“…” I fake a cough. That sounds like a dangerously weird conversation.
Via my AI system, I begin checking the news. A lot has transpired in the past month, and there are still no signs of Suho returning since he and his team fell into a trap. "Anything else I need to know, Cube?"
Cube responds, "MI6 Agent Sven has brought his team during their reconnaissance of the abandoned factory. It appears that in addition to Sven, his other personnel have also been caught in the trap. The people that vanished that day total ten: Kim Suho, Yi Yeonghan, Yun Seung-Ah, Sven, and the six other MI6 Agents."
"That’s good news… That way, they have more people on their side. It is too soon to give up hope now…" I mull over my thoughts, rubbing my chin as I consider my next move. "Cube, check my prototype for a Transdimensional Walkie-talkie… Sadly, I cannot think of a better name for this thing." I fiddle with my laptop and swiftly send the data to Cube.
Cube analyzes the information. "It is feasible technology, but it will take time."
I inquire, "Approximately how long?"
"At least a month," Cube responds.
"Approximately how long for the first prototype?" I press for more details.
"About 72 hours," Cube informs me.
"Three days, huh?" I mutter to myself as I stuff my laptop into Witch King, my magical hat, utilizing its storage ability.
"Cube, where are Nayun and Rachel right now? I need to talk with them," I inquire urgently.
"In the Chae Hospital. Chae Jinyoon has awakened," Cube responds matter-of-factly.
"What!? Really?" I can't help but feel a rush of excitement, disbelief, and surprise. The Devil Possessed Chae Jinyoon waking up can only mean one thing—Kim Hajin has succeeded! I immediately rein in my emotions. "It is good to be optimistic, but we always must be vigilant."
Cube continues, "Indeed, the subject Chae Jinyoon woke up seven hours ago. They are only waiting for the results of the assessment, ensuring that the Devil’s Seed is no longer inside Chae Jinyoon."
"This… This is good," I manage to say, a grin spreading across my face like that of a child. "This is good news." The hope and relief are palpable in my voice.
The Devil's Seed, a malevolent entity of parasitic nature, exists as a sinister force with the capability to devour a person's very existence. It thrives on the vulnerability of its host, insidiously weaving itself into the fabric of its being.
As the parasitic entity grows stronger, it offers a malevolent bargain—a sinister swap. In exchange for the stolen essence, a Devil emerges, intricately linked to the Devil's Seed. This diabolic manifestation is an embodiment of darkness, inheriting the memories, desires, and consciousness of the once vibrant individual.
The transformation is gradual, insidious, and irreversible. The Devil's Seed, having devoured the host's existence, now orchestrates the puppetry of the Devil it birthed. The host, reduced to a mere shell, becomes a vessel for the malevolent force that has taken residence within.
But with Kim Hajin’s selfless quest to kill the Devils themselves in the Transcendental Plane, there is yet hope for us to cling to. By killing the devils directly themselves, we hope to save those who are afflicted with the Devil’s Seed.
In an instant, I use my ability, teleporting to the Chae Hospital with a burst of speed that blurs the surroundings. As I materialize in the hospital courtyard, I'm met with the attentive gaze of a security guard, sternly blocking my path.
The guard immediately noticing me, gives me a hostile look. "Hold it right there. This area is restricted. No unauthorized personnel allowed."
I quickly assess the situation, realizing that pushing through without explanation would only escalate matters. Taking a calming breath, I address the guard.
"I understand the security protocols, but I'm here on urgent business. I'm Hyon, from Cube. It's imperative that I speak with Chae Nayun and Rachel."
The guard squints, assessing me, "Cube, huh? I need verification."
I swiftly pull out my identification card, handing it over for inspection. The guard scrutinizes it, taking a moment to validate my credentials.
The guard nodding, replies. "Alright, you check out. But I'll be keeping an eye on you."
I nod in acknowledgment, grateful for the guard's adherence to protocol. However, my relief is short-lived as the tension ratchets up when Rachel strides into view, her determined expression literally emanating a kind of aura.
Rachel noticing the confrontation, asks. "What's going on here?"
"This person claims to be from Cube. I verified the ID, but stay alert." The guard replies, duty-bound, and strict.
Rachel shoots me a quick glance, and with a sly grin, she steps forward, throwing a casual arm around my shoulder. "Oh, him? He's with me. We've got some important business to attend to inside. You understand, right?"
The guard hesitates, caught between duty and Rachel's confident demeanor.
"Alright, but keep it quick." The guard reluctantly lets go of the matter.
Rachel smirks, "You bet."
As the guard reluctantly steps aside, Rachel and I share a knowing look before heading into the hospital.
“Is that really necessary?” I whisper.
“Shut up, troublemaker.” She replies exasperatedly.
“It is not like I am going to throw hands with him…” I defensively tell her. “Uuummm... just a quick question... Is old man Joochul still angry with me?”
Rachel drags me by my arm, "See for yourself."
