Seeping InGoryeo City was among the most prosperous human settlements to emerge after the Great Cataclysm.The site laid out at construction was roughly 1.5 times the size of a typical Comfort Zone, and with adjacent farms, it could supply a fair portion of its own food. Most importantly, no new Crystal Zones had appeared nearby for decades.Moreover, most of the city’s residents were accustomed to strict control even before the Cataclysm. While many new Comfort Zones sprouted up and fell into internal conflict, this community adapted to the changed world remarkably fast.“Every person who sets foot in the City has their personal data recorded at the Central Information Center.”“All residents live under the City system’s protection, but anyone who undermines community order must face penalties.”Under these simple yet oppressive rules, Goryeo City established an unbreakable order. Compared to other Comfort Zones that suffered long growing pains under similar regulations, this was a huge survival advantage in the post-apocalypse.Of course, the controlled society had its downsides. Wherever there’s a “majority,” there’s also a “minority.” Those who fell outside the “diligent and exemplary” citizen model were pushed to the city’s outskirts. Brilliant ideas under private freedom could become either innovative breakthroughs or antisocial crimes. Unfortunately for those banished, the worst of humanity tended to end up on the periphery.“Ugh. My joints feel stiff whenever I move nowadays.”“Old Jackal can’t hide his age. Time to head back.”“Damn right—don’t see any bars opening in the sector anytime soon.”“And they still say money’s short? They could buy a house inside the walls with what they’ve got.”“We should’ve looted that old guy’s body last time… but that bastard beat us to it.”A graying man scowled and patted his jacket. From a crinkling plastic bag he pulled a pale chunk of something, popped it in his mouth, and chewed like gum. Most rough laborers lived on these pills—unlicensed pharmaceuticals, or “illegal narcotics,” as the Central Center called them. They were more sedatives and painkillers than cures—practically the latter.“He’s rolling in dil now. Doesn’t slog along like a demon at work anymore.”“How long’ll that last?”“Who knows? But he’s got a sidekick tailing him.”“A sidekick?”The first man snorted, spitting violet saliva that splatted against the alley wall. Everyone in these parts knew the young mercenary—strong, skilled, healthy. He always worked alone… until one day he didn’t.When Jackal had offered to split a contract once, he’d flat-out refused. So it was surprising to see him now followed by an unknown man in a roomy hood. Standing beside the tall, broad-shouldered Jin Muhae, the man looked comparatively slight. Some whispered he’d transferred from another City; others claimed Muhae had plucked him off the streets and put him to work. The latter seemed more plausible, given Muhae’s newfound fortune. But that was only rumor. The keen-eyed had noted one fact among the gossip: since this stranger appeared at his side, Muhae’s mission-completion rate shot nearly to 100%. Every contract they picked turned into a jackpot. Money-crazed folks were naturally intrigued.[Open Journal?]Yes[Day 5,623]Right, I have a journal.After meeting Jin Muhae, I’ve been so out of it I forgot. I should’ve written every time I came to my senses… but it’s okay. I feel good.He’s bought me clothes, shoes, snacks, meat… Oh, and a gun. Not like his, but a Blue Crystal–powered electric pistol. He even gave me a baton I can hold in my hand.Hmm—Gil Sajang said it’s more expensive—that it’s made of good alloy, so it won’t bend. It looks like a taser stick, so just holding it threatens bad guys. But it doesn’t matter if it isn’t great. If Muhae bought it, it’s good.Right. Exactly.…Ah. And when I go out with ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) Muhae, people stare. The first time I cheerily said hello, he bonked me on the head. I was a little hurt—but he bought me Fruit Tornado cereal, so I forgave him. I still haven’t collected all the Tinkle Friends, so I need more boxes.And… and… what else should I record? Meat’s nothing special anymore—it’s just meat.Focus…Ah. Quest.Men­tal* Tackle–Flap![Journal Saved][Quest]Main QuestTutorial (Completed)CHAPTER 1☞ Outsider of the City (Completed)- Gold-Birthing Wolf √- 200,000 dil Heirloom √☞ Unextinguished Spark (Completed)- Intangible Legacy √- Journey’s Beginning √- Pair of Wedding Rings √- Kingfisher √☞ Mayday, Mayday (In Progress)- Missing BlueprintsI passed through story gaps not in the game script, and Muhae smoothly entered the next quest. That was the day we went into the Taeul District. Muhae must have acquired the “collaborators’” network then—but never connected to anyone. Those numbers aren’t phone numbers, but device authorization codes. To identify them, I need to install a decoding function. That’s this quest’s goal. As Muhae’s heir, it’s his task. And… uh. Mine, because I’m his aide. So from now on…Rumble in stomach.So…Go eat.Uh, Muhae?Suit yourself.No—you have to eat. Don’t throw it away!Try swallowing bone fragments again.Okay!If it’s not enough, crack open a can of anything.Okay!—Static—[Journal Saved]8 AM, 1 PM, 7 PM. The moments when Joo-o’s eyes subtly droop. From experience, I know those are the best feeding times. Of course, besides those three meals, he snacks whenever he pleases—likely treats I’ve left out.“What’ve you been mumbling?”“Huh?”Even facing a huge roasted bird that looked like five servings, Joo-o just murmured, lips moving. A bad sign. I pressed him, and he shook his head and tore off a leg to chew. Then he giggled to himself—odd behavior, but I was used to it. I started eating.“By the way, Muhae?”After a moment, he swallowed and asked, “Can I sleep in the living room later?”“No.”“But I sleep on the floor.”“Why sleep on the living‐room floor? I moved your mattress here.”“Hmm…”Unable to argue, he munched on meat with angry eyebrows—yet it still looked oddly handsome.“You.”“Yeah?”“If you climb into someone else’s bed at dawn again, I’ll hang you from the window.”He snorted in protest.“I’m not joking.”I frowned and bit through a wing bone. His eyes sank, and he looked a bit deflated.“Tch…”Since returning from Burkta, Joo-o’s already eccentric routine had gained a new quirk. At bedtime, he’d once obediently retreated to the study—but now he kept stalling outside the room. Perhaps sleeping together in the skiff left a strong impression. Since coming home, he’d tried to claim my bed nightly—growling when I kicked him off, he’d sprawl on the floor. Infuriating. Give him an inch and he’d climb up to tease. But when I scolded him, I couldn’t stop recalling how peaceful he looked asleep—twitching through nightmares, then waking disoriented, seeking me. I didn’t pity him—he was a grown man who’d eaten eight servings in my home—but I understood why he clung to someone at night. He probably didn’t even realize he dreamt. At any rate…“Then… um… want to watch TV a bit longer?”He paused tearing off the second leg, looked hopeful, tried to negotiate. He wanted to cling rather than go to bed. I almost told him to shove off, but I sighed instead.“Going to be noisy?”“No. You can turn off the TV.”Then he’d belt out songs alone at night. I swallowed my reply.“But instead… massage my hair.”“No.”“After you hit me, you can massage.”“You son of a—get lost.”I snapped while cutting meat. My temples throbbed at the thought of him yammering that anywhere else. Joo-o puckered his lips, clearly not knowing what he’d said. He still wasn’t fully sane.‘Damn it.’I should’ve ignored him. Appetite gone, I glared at my filthy fork.It’s all because I brought Joo-o along. Things that never happened before keep cropping up. So that… was about two weeks ago…

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