In one corner of the abandoned factory, I sit hunched over my desktop computer, closely monitoring the rough setup. Dressed in my Cube Cadet uniform, I've just dispatched a crucial message. "I hope Suho receives it from the other end of time," I mutter to myself, tension lining my face.
Rachel approaches, her low-key disguise consisting of a bean cap and a comfy vest paired with trousers. There's an air of the stereotypical journalist about her. "What’s the range of this new tech of yours, does it have a name?" she inquires, glancing at the makeshift setup.
I turn my attention to the Interdimensional Router, my fingers dancing over its buttons. "I'll just call it the Interdimensional Router... I can't think of a better name. The name is pretty accurate though. With this tech, we can hopefully contact Suho," I explain, a touch of uncertainty in my voice. I fiddle with the router, installed hastily into the PC. "The range is small, roughly a whole basketball court and maybe more. Honestly, I'd prefer doing this back in the base rather than here."
Rachel nods, absorbing the information. "This is where Suho’s team slipped into another time, and that’s why we are camping here, huh?"
I correct her with a hint of precision, "To be more accurate, they slipped into another dimension."
Rachel's eyes scan the bustling activity in the factory, her gaze lingering on the people coming and going. "What’s up with them, Hyon? Did you buy the factory? Won’t the Association be suspicious of your connection with Suho?" she questions, a furrow forming on her brow.
I lean back, glancing at the surroundings. "We will be fine. The Association already knows it to some degree," I reply, a sly smile playing on my lips. "It's a subtle manipulation on my part. I had Suho save my number in his register. By establishing this link, I made the Association aware that I have a friendly relationship with Suho."
Rachel nods approvingly. "Smart," she says, acknowledging the strategic move. "If Suho is compromised in his espionage, this will deter the Association from doing too underhanded tricks like targeting his family."
"That’s why the Association has to resort to banishing Suho to another dimension instead," I explain, a note of resignation in my voice. "It is underhanded, but not as extreme as other more violent methods. They're playing a different kind of game, and we have to stay one step ahead."
Rachel's curiosity deepens as she probes, "So, what are your plans with the factory?"
"Condoms," I deadpan, watching her reaction.
"Huh?" Rachel tilts her head, clearly caught off guard by my unexpected response.
"And sex toys," I continue, maintaining my stoic expression. The silence that follows is awkward, and Rachel appears speechless, struggling to process the unexpected turn in the conversation.
"They pay good money," I finally offer, breaking the silence with a matter-of-fact tone. "A tenth of my business involves the sex industries."
Rachel winces at my blunt revelation. "A little bit of filter, please? That sounds so wrong..." she requests, her discomfort evident in her awkward posture.
"It is legal, I swear— aphrodisiacs, lubes, medicines…" I quickly interject, attempting to clarify the nature of my business. "They are not extremely technologically advanced and actually require fewer resources, so it is efficient and effective."
Rachel, clearly taken aback, responds cautiously, "I am not one to delve into my friends’ businesses, but I'll check back home on these businesses of yours. I cannot have England supporting these degenerate products." She fiddles with her smartwatch, contacting her people to make a quick check.
"You are going to ban them? Please don’t! I will lose a lot of money! Your Majesty, the Queen, don’t ban my products!" I plead dramatically, realizing the potential consequences of her investigation.
Rachel, however, pales at the revelation. "7% of England’s tax income actually comes from your sex… toys," she confesses, projecting a hologram of a pie chart. "19% are Sin Taxes, and under them, at 7%, is sex toys. 7% is alcohol, and 5% is cigarettes."
"Well, the sex robots sell like pancakes," I add, trying to lighten the mood.
Rachel, now fuming, can't hide her shock. "You have a sex robot!?" she exclaims, her face turning a shade of red. "Oh god, you degenerate…" She facepalms in embarrassment, the unexpected revelations pushing the boundaries of our conversation into uncharted and uncomfortable territory.
Well, it is just business, so it really is not uncomfortable for me.
"There is a reply!" I announce excitedly, leaning in closer to my PC and reading the message silently.
"Let me see too," Rachel says, coming to my side and leaning forward. I can't help but notice her scent – she smells good.
As we both peer at the screen, the message from Kim Suho unfolds.
"Hey, nice to hear from you, Hyon! It has been hectic here. Me and the others are sent here at roughly the beginning of Outcall... It has been a week since we arrived here, and we are doing quite well, though the danger keeps on exponentially multiplying every day. I’ve tried reaching the wall of this mirrored reality, but so far, no luck. I think this is different from the things we know… This place might be a whole complete reality."
There is more.
"The magic power is so dense here we are lucky none of the team is yet to suffer from magic power poisoning. I request you send us blueprints for some tech that can alleviate the stress of magic poisoning. The problems we encounter here are manageable, but I don't think it will be the same for a long time. We are accumulating injuries from atmospheric magic power alone, not to mention the occasional monster attacks. There is no use worrying for fellow humans trying to rob us, but the monsters are a big deal. Their are a lot of unreasonable monsters here capable of so many abilities it truly feels like an apocalypse. Send help, ASAP. Or do better, please get us out of here."
Me and Rachel share a look, our silent communication conveying a mix of concern and determination. I quickly send a reply to Kim Suho, urging him to provide more information about their current circumstances or if they've discovered any 'crystal.' From what we understand, time slips like this occur when magic power agglomerates, reaches a certain threshold and then resonates with the past. It's a scientific observation I've made, combining our knowledge with insights gleaned from manuscripts.
While sending my inquiries, I also send Suho blueprints of easy-to-make technology that should be of help to them like a formula for medicine to alleviate magic poisoning, or a schematics of a basic AI to make their lives easier.
As Rachel expresses her concern over Suho's delayed response, I contemplate the perplexing situation we find ourselves in. "It has been a month in this reality, yet they've only experienced a week… This is the opposite of what we know," I explain, the anomaly nagging at my scientific understanding.
"When a person gets time-slipped to the past, the 'alternate reality' they end up in will have compressed time," I continue, but Rachel finishes my thought, her eyes widening in realization. "Meaning the mirrored reality they end up in occurs at a time faster than what is happening in the actual reality, but what is happening with Suho is the opposite."
"Right…" I murmur, the pieces of this bizarre puzzle refusing to fit together neatly. "Any theories?" I turn to Rachel, hoping she might shed some light on this enigma.
"I don’t know…" Rachel pauses, her brow furrowing in deep contemplation. "But I have a new theory. The Hero Association’s primary motive of sending Suho into that alternate reality might not be simply to get rid of him, but to imprison him."
Her words hang in the air, a chilling possibility that adds another layer of complexity to the already convoluted situation.
"Elaborate," I urge Rachel, my mind grappling with the implications of her startling theory.
"I know second-guessing is not a smart thing to do, but I find this a highly likely development," she begins, her eyes focused on some unseen puzzle pieces falling into place. "If Suho ends up in an alternate reality where time is compressed… Won’t he have so much time to train to the point that his ability to cut concepts is honed to perfection? When that happens, won’t he have enough strength to just cut reality and get rid of the 'mirrored reality' he is trapped within?"
I stare at her, absorbing the audacity of the theory. "Crazy theory…" I murmur, my thoughts racing to catch up with the implications.
"I know…" Rachel admits, a hint of embarrassment coloring her expression.
"Don’t be embarrassed," I reassure her, surprising myself with the earnestness of my response. "I find it likely too… It is definitely a win for the Hero Association since they just got rid of one of our champions… Is there a reason why the Association wanted to get rid of Suho?"
"Besides being a spy, maybe he learned something…" Rachel suggests, her eyes narrowing as she contemplates the potential reasons behind the Hero Association's actions.
"Let’s ask him," I decide, typing questions into my PC and sending them to Suho. Each reply from Suho has a two-hour gap, an annoying delay that only adds to the growing frustration. I frown at the screen, feeling the situation worsen with every passing moment.
"Our organization has been very secretive. I find it unlikely that the Hero Association knows of our organization’s existence," Rachel comments, her skepticism evident.
"There is Lancaster though…" I mention, and Rachel's expression sours. She knows Lancaster, her former instructor in the way of the sword and someone who used to be a royal bodyguard. "He hasn’t appeared for some time," she admits. "It is likely he has learned of our organization’s existence since he was there when Yi Yeonjun happened."
"The Hero Association is collaborating with the Djinns, and the only big names left among the Djinn kind that we must be concerned about is Lancaster," I disclose, my fingers typing the revelation onto the keyboard.
Rachel raises an eyebrow in response. "What about the Thirteen Evils?"
I nod, acknowledging her question. "There are four confirmed kills among the Thirteen Evils… So nine of them remain. I am not so sure, though, if they are holding hands with the Hero Association. Since the Djinn War, lots of the Thirteen, excuse me, Nine Evils went into hiding, only the foolish and weak bunch stubbornly resisted."
In one corner of the abandoned factory, I sit hunched over my desktop computer, closely monitoring the rough setup. Dressed in my Cube Cadet uniform, I've just dispatched a crucial message. "I hope Suho receives it from the other end of time," I mutter to myself, tension lining my face.
Rachel approaches, her low-key disguise consisting of a bean cap and a comfy vest paired with trousers. There's an air of the stereotypical journalist about her. "What’s the range of this new tech of yours, does it have a name?" she inquires, glancing at the makeshift setup.
I turn my attention to the Interdimensional Router, my fingers dancing over its buttons. "I'll just call it the Interdimensional Router... I can't think of a better name. The name is pretty accurate though. With this tech, we can hopefully contact Suho," I explain, a touch of uncertainty in my voice. I fiddle with the router, installed hastily into the PC. "The range is small, roughly a whole basketball court and maybe more. Honestly, I'd prefer doing this back in the base rather than here."
Rachel nods, absorbing the information. "This is where Suho’s team slipped into another time, and that’s why we are camping here, huh?"
I correct her with a hint of precision, "To be more accurate, they slipped into another dimension."
Rachel's eyes scan the bustling activity in the factory, her gaze lingering on the people coming and going. "What’s up with them, Hyon? Did you buy the factory? Won’t the Association be suspicious of your connection with Suho?" she questions, a furrow forming on her brow.
I lean back, glancing at the surroundings. "We will be fine. The Association already knows it to some degree," I reply, a sly smile playing on my lips. "It's a subtle manipulation on my part. I had Suho save my number in his register. By establishing this link, I made the Association aware that I have a friendly relationship with Suho."
Rachel nods approvingly. "Smart," she says, acknowledging the strategic move. "If Suho is compromised in his espionage, this will deter the Association from doing too underhanded tricks like targeting his family."
"That’s why the Association has to resort to banishing Suho to another dimension instead," I explain, a note of resignation in my voice. "It is underhanded, but not as extreme as other more violent methods. They're playing a different kind of game, and we have to stay one step ahead."
Rachel's curiosity deepens as she probes, "So, what are your plans with the factory?"
"Condoms," I deadpan, watching her reaction.
"Huh?" Rachel tilts her head, clearly caught off guard by my unexpected response.
"And sex toys," I continue, maintaining my stoic expression. The silence that follows is awkward, and Rachel appears speechless, struggling to process the unexpected turn in the conversation.
"They pay good money," I finally offer, breaking the silence with a matter-of-fact tone. "A tenth of my business involves the sex industries."
Rachel winces at my blunt revelation. "A little bit of filter, please? That sounds so wrong..." she requests, her discomfort evident in her awkward posture.
"It is legal, I swear— aphrodisiacs, lubes, medicines…" I quickly interject, attempting to clarify the nature of my business. "They are not extremely technologically advanced and actually require fewer resources, so it is efficient and effective."
Rachel, clearly taken aback, responds cautiously, "I am not one to delve into my friends’ businesses, but I'll check back home on these businesses of yours. I cannot have England supporting these degenerate products." She fiddles with her smartwatch, contacting her people to make a quick check.
"You are going to ban them? Please don’t! I will lose a lot of money! Your Majesty, the Queen, don’t ban my products!" I plead dramatically, realizing the potential consequences of her investigation.
Rachel, however, pales at the revelation. "7% of England’s tax income actually comes from your sex… toys," she confesses, projecting a hologram of a pie chart. "19% are Sin Taxes, and under them, at 7%, is sex toys. 7% is alcohol, and 5% is cigarettes."
"Well, the sex robots sell like pancakes," I add, trying to lighten the mood.
Rachel, now fuming, can't hide her shock. "You have a sex robot!?" she exclaims, her face turning a shade of red. "Oh god, you degenerate…" She facepalms in embarrassment, the unexpected revelations pushing the boundaries of our conversation into uncharted and uncomfortable territory.
Well, it is just business, so it really is not uncomfortable for me.
"There is a reply!" I announce excitedly, leaning in closer to my PC and reading the message silently.
"Let me see too," Rachel says, coming to my side and leaning forward. I can't help but notice her scent – she smells good.
As we both peer at the screen, the message from Kim Suho unfolds.
"Hey, nice to hear from you, Hyon! It has been hectic here. Me and the others are sent here at roughly the beginning of Outcall... It has been a week since we arrived here, and we are doing quite well, though the danger keeps on exponentially multiplying every day. I’ve tried reaching the wall of this mirrored reality, but so far, no luck. I think this is different from the things we know… This place might be a whole complete reality."
There is more.
"The magic power is so dense here we are lucky none of the team is yet to suffer from magic power poisoning. I request you send us blueprints for some tech that can alleviate the stress of magic poisoning. The problems we encounter here are manageable, but I don't think it will be the same for a long time. We are accumulating injuries from atmospheric magic power alone, not to mention the occasional monster attacks. There is no use worrying for fellow humans trying to rob us, but the monsters are a big deal. Their are a lot of unreasonable monsters here capable of so many abilities it truly feels like an apocalypse. Send help, ASAP. Or do better, please get us out of here."
Me and Rachel share a look, our silent communication conveying a mix of concern and determination. I quickly send a reply to Kim Suho, urging him to provide more information about their current circumstances or if they've discovered any 'crystal.' From what we understand, time slips like this occur when magic power agglomerates, reaches a certain threshold and then resonates with the past. It's a scientific observation I've made, combining our knowledge with insights gleaned from manuscripts.
While sending my inquiries, I also send Suho blueprints of easy-to-make technology that should be of help to them like a formula for medicine to alleviate magic poisoning, or a schematics of a basic AI to make their lives easier.
As Rachel expresses her concern over Suho's delayed response, I contemplate the perplexing situation we find ourselves in. "It has been a month in this reality, yet they've only experienced a week… This is the opposite of what we know," I explain, the anomaly nagging at my scientific understanding.
"When a person gets time-slipped to the past, the 'alternate reality' they end up in will have compressed time," I continue, but Rachel finishes my thought, her eyes widening in realization. "Meaning the mirrored reality they end up in occurs at a time faster than what is happening in the actual reality, but what is happening with Suho is the opposite."
"Right…" I murmur, the pieces of this bizarre puzzle refusing to fit together neatly. "Any theories?" I turn to Rachel, hoping she might shed some light on this enigma.
"I don’t know…" Rachel pauses, her brow furrowing in deep contemplation. "But I have a new theory. The Hero Association’s primary motive of sending Suho into that alternate reality might not be simply to get rid of him, but to imprison him."
Her words hang in the air, a chilling possibility that adds another layer of complexity to the already convoluted situation.
"Elaborate," I urge Rachel, my mind grappling with the implications of her startling theory.
"I know second-guessing is not a smart thing to do, but I find this a highly likely development," she begins, her eyes focused on some unseen puzzle pieces falling into place. "If Suho ends up in an alternate reality where time is compressed… Won’t he have so much time to train to the point that his ability to cut concepts is honed to perfection? When that happens, won’t he have enough strength to just cut reality and get rid of the 'mirrored reality' he is trapped within?"
I stare at her, absorbing the audacity of the theory. "Crazy theory…" I murmur, my thoughts racing to catch up with the implications.
"I know…" Rachel admits, a hint of embarrassment coloring her expression.
"Don’t be embarrassed," I reassure her, surprising myself with the earnestness of my response. "I find it likely too… It is definitely a win for the Hero Association since they just got rid of one of our champions… Is there a reason why the Association wanted to get rid of Suho?"
"Besides being a spy, maybe he learned something…" Rachel suggests, her eyes narrowing as she contemplates the potential reasons behind the Hero Association's actions.
"Let’s ask him," I decide, typing questions into my PC and sending them to Suho. Each reply from Suho has a two-hour gap, an annoying delay that only adds to the growing frustration. I frown at the screen, feeling the situation worsen with every passing moment.
"Our organization has been very secretive. I find it unlikely that the Hero Association knows of our organization’s existence," Rachel comments, her skepticism evident.
"There is Lancaster though…" I mention, and Rachel's expression sours. She knows Lancaster, her former instructor in the way of the sword and someone who used to be a royal bodyguard. "He hasn’t appeared for some time," she admits. "It is likely he has learned of our organization’s existence since he was there when Yi Yeonjun happened."
"The Hero Association is collaborating with the Djinns, and the only big names left among the Djinn kind that we must be concerned about is Lancaster," I disclose, my fingers typing the revelation onto the keyboard.
Rachel raises an eyebrow in response. "What about the Thirteen Evils?"
I nod, acknowledging her question. "There are four confirmed kills among the Thirteen Evils… So nine of them remain. I am not so sure, though, if they are holding hands with the Hero Association. Since the Djinn War, lots of the Thirteen, excuse me, Nine Evils went into hiding, only the foolish and weak bunch stubbornly resisted."
