Ricardo smiled faintly and waved his hand.
Shu didn’t insist twice. She poured mineral water and lemonade into clear glasses, then returned to the game zone.
She handed the mineral water to him, kept the lemonade for herself, and inserted the game chip into the console.
Then she sat down at a comfortable distance from the screen.
“Is sitting on the floor uncomfortable for you?”
“A bit~?”
“There’s a chair over there.”
Seeing the senior who wasn’t used to floor-sitting culture, she stretched out her arm.
“Drag it over and sit, sunbae.”
When Ricardo pulled the chair over and sat down, Shu started the game.
The familiar title flashed on the screen, then faded. No matter how many times she played it, her heart always began to race at the sight of that title. She liked this game series because there was an odd credibility to its setting and story.
Though it had repetitive action patterns and low freedom, gaining popularity only among a niche group of enthusiasts.
Smiling faintly, Shu began to play.
She had no intention of introducing the game to Ricardo, who was watching beside her. But she planned to replay it from the beginning up to the point where the first Easter egg appeared.
She was soon absorbed.
So much that Ricardo’s voice startled her when it broke the silence.
“Who made this game?”
It was a sudden remark from the man who’d been quietly watching the screen.
Shu turned her head.
“No one knows.”
“No one?”
“Yeah. Apparently, someone tried to find out but couldn’t.”
“Even though the release year’s known~?”
The senior’s brow furrowed.
Shu nodded.
“Yeah. The release date’s listed, but no one’s ever found out who the developer is.”
Except for the letters Eve.
After answering, she returned to the game.
The game character, Hildebert Taleb, was leaping across the high castle. Ricardo watched in silence again for a long while. Shu, swinging the greatsword said to have been found in the “withered pit,” succeeded in clearing the third floor of the castle.
The sword’s durability was down. Should she return to the village and reinforce it with blackstar stone?
It would be hard to clear the fourth floor in one go with this durability.
She took her fingers off the controller and hesitated for a moment—then Ricardo suddenly broke the silence.
“He’s touching his neck.”
“Sorry?”
What did he mean?
She turned her head and saw the man’s eyes fixed on the game screen.
“That kid’s habit, isn’t it~.”
Shu’s eyebrows rose, and she looked back at the screen.
Then she understood. Since she wasn’t pressing anything, the character Hilde stood idly in place—
—and was rubbing the back of his neck with one hand.
For a brief moment, Shu saw the real Hilde rubbing his neck flash across her mind. It was one of his most recognizable habitual gestures.
Her mouth opened slightly without her realizing it.
“You lent it to the rookie, didn’t you~?”
“Yeah. He looked so surprised and curious, so I let him try.”
“What’d he say afterward~?”
“He just gave an opinion about the game. Said the playtime was short, freedom low, and combat repetitive, but still thought it was a good indie game. He wanted to find all the Easter eggs, so he asked if he could keep it a bit longer.”
Shu hadn’t asked Hilde many questions.
Because, as a rule, it was better when seniors didn’t talk too much—and because whenever she asked about the past, a faint sorrow always appeared in Hilde’s eyes. Probably without him even realizing it.
A faint smile tinged with sadness.
She didn’t know whether that sorrow came from memories lost or from those recovered.
Ricardo spoke slowly.
“So you got it back after he said he’d found all the Easter eggs~?”
“No. He said there was a new Easter egg discovered, so I got it back to check it out myself.”
After explaining, Shu added a comment, guessing this man wouldn’t get bored of the game easily.
“If you’re going to keep watching, should I order dinner?”
“Ah~. It’s on me....”
By saying that, Ricardo made clear he planned to stay for a while.
Shu didn’t argue. She wasn’t displeased.
She only thought that this picky senior seemed quite interested in Hilde.
Then she started playing again.
***
Kudo kept looking down at his ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) feet even as he dragged the woman downstairs.
I had to physically pull him away from searching the second floor. Fortunately, he agreed to my desperate plea—“Let’s get the civilian out first.” Once he agreed, he headed straight for the building’s entrance, though his face was pale as ash the whole way.
When Kudo pushed through the stubborn door and stepped outside, he said,
“Go first.”
I wasn’t even surprised.
“What about you, sunbaenim?”
“...I’ll handle it. Take her back.”
“Ha.”
Instead of answering, I let out a small laugh.
I’d expected that.
“Let’s just go together and come back together.”
Even if I said I’d handle it and bring the ring back, he wouldn’t accept it.
So instead of meaningless persuasion, I offered a compromise.
“It’s safer to face this creature with two people anyway. You know that.”
Kudo turned, eyeing me with irritation. He didn’t like my suggestion.
But I also didn’t want to hear later that my senior had died chasing a phantom for a ring.
Sara kept wailing relentlessly in Kudo’s grasp. Amid her pleas and the howling wind, I said,
“I’m stubborn too.”
“...Then hurry.”
Kudo reluctantly replied.
We ran quickly through the fog, toward where it thinned and the view cleared. We had to run until the hysterically trembling woman calmed down.
Sara Perry only regained her senses after reaching the main street.
Kudo gently sat her down on a bench.
Freed from his arms, she listened to my explanation with a dazed expression.
“You understand, right? The police will arrive soon. Don’t move from here no matter what.”
“Y-yes...”
The woman answered blankly.
Every time I repeated the explanation, she nodded, looking as though she’d just woken from a dream.
When I finally glanced aside, I saw my senior’s pale face, his expression heavy with forced patience.
Time to go back inside.
I was thinking that when a sharp scream cut the air.
“Jonathan!”
Sara stared at her fourth finger in horror.
“Your wife’s ring!”
What the—
But I didn’t think deeply. Couldn’t.
Because that was the moment Kudo twisted around and dashed back into the building.
So much for self-control.
I sighed and chased after him.
***
While we were searching for the ring, everything was still fine.
Probably because all our attention and desire were fixed on that ring. The moment we reentered the derelict building, the door closed again and the interior began to ripple—but it didn’t seem unusual. We split up for a while, carefully scanning the dusty floor.
This creature wouldn’t harm you as long as you kept your mind straight.
But that was easier said than done.
I was on the first floor, and Jonathan Kudo was searching the second when it happened.
The space wavered suddenly.
The abandoned building melted away, replaced by a polished dojo. Neatly arranged wooden swords and armor stands filled the room.
I knew immediately—I was screwed.
The ring was on the second floor.
‘...I have no intention of apologizing.’
The voice resonated.
A boy in a martial arts uniform was glaring at someone. His face was young, but his eyes—pressing down some deep, hardened resentment—made it clear who he was.
From beyond the shadows came a low hum.
‘Seems you still don’t understand what this is.’
‘I’m talking about violence done in the name of discipline!’
The murmuring grew louder.
‘I told you you’d regret it.’
A mocking laugh.
‘You think a few trophies make you a national champion already?’
‘Guess you think you’re the only clean one here.’
Jeers and derision. A shout to keep their voices down.
I frowned, watching the boy standing in the center of the dojo endure the barrage of noise.
I could roughly tell what was happening.
The whispers swelled, turning into an echoing, malicious chorus. And at the center of that storm stood Jonathan Kudo, shouting:
‘A teaching to treat a wooden sword like a real one—how did that become an excuse to beat juniors with it?!’
A trembling, clenched fist.
He was afraid.
The moment I felt his emotion, the wooden swords hanging on the walls fell one after another, clattering to the floor until dozens covered the dojo.
I ran across them, heading for the stairs.
“Sunbaenim!”
Kudo was climbing toward the third floor.
Thankfully, not running—just staggering, gripping the railing. A classic reaction of someone caught in the illusion’s voice.
I bounded up three steps at a time and caught up.
“Snap out of it!”
Whoosh!
A gust sliced past my neck.
A strike—I would’ve been decapitated if I hadn’t pulled back instinctively.
I widened my eyes and saw him—blade drawn.
Fast.
Smooth, graceful movements.
Not the time to admire that.
Kudo pointed his blade at my throat, wary as I stood still.
I didn’t move. Watching as the wooden swords vanished and clean white paving stones took their place.
A peaceful suburban street bathed in warm spring sunlight spread around us.
People strolled along the white road. A couple walking their dog. Children chasing soap bubbles. A green Mini Cooper creeping through a crosswalk.
And in the middle of it all, a flower shop unusually vivid compared to the rest.
Ding!
The bell over the door chimed.
My senior turned his head sharply toward it.
In that instant, I lunged.
Clang!
The dagger clattered onto the stairs.
His hand was empty. My strike to the wrist had landed.
Unfortunately, the problem wasn’t solved.
“Sunbaenim!”
He fought back fiercely.
A brutal struggle erupted on the staircase—far worse than with Sara Perry. I took his blows head-on, trying to pin him down as he thrashed to break free.
You can’t easily subdue an enhanced body that’s lost its reason.
Please, just stay still!
The thought barely formed before our legs tangled.
Each of us hooked the other’s feet, and our bodies lost balance.
Ah, damn.
We’re falling.
Thud!
A heavy shock slammed through me.
I groaned.
To stop my senior from cracking his skull, I’d wrapped my hand behind his head—and now my palm throbbed painfully. Not just my hand; every muscle screamed from the impact.
If he hadn’t been such an exceptional Badger, I could’ve restrained him easily.
Worse, his regeneration was stronger than mine.
Even though we’d fallen together, he sprang up instantly and started toward the stairs again.
“Ah—sunbaenim.”
Lying on the floor, my voice came out hoarse.
“Please, don’t go.”
Of course, he didn’t hear me.
Footsteps faded away.
‘Are you looking for tulip bulbs again?’
As I struggled to stand, a woman’s unfamiliar voice resonated in the air.
‘Oh my, really? Did the last one die again?’
I don’t want to hear other people’s memories like this.
I forced myself upright, staggering toward the staircase.
Thank God he was a Badger. The creature would lure him higher.
Gripping the railing, I followed Kudo upward.
With my free hand, I fumbled in my pocket and pulled out my phone. Calling his name wouldn’t work—I knew that much. For those trapped in a dream’s voice, only a familiar voice could reach them.
Without hesitation, I called Ricardo.
Climbing the stairs, I listened to the ringing tone.
Pick up.
If you don’t, I’ll have no choice but to strike down your comrade.
***
Ricardo stared silently at his phone screen.
[Hildebert Taleb]
A name he hadn’t expected.
He’d thought the rookie at least had the decency not to call first. And indeed, the rookie hadn’t reached out since that day.
But now, suddenly—a call?
At this hour? He knew it wasn’t during duty time. The strange kid was working as his comrade’s partner, after all. It was already late enough that the day shift should’ve ended and the night shift taken over.
Ricardo’s brows furrowed slightly.
He stared at the screen for a long while.
Then flipped the phone face-down.
“Yeah.”
At the same moment, Shu raised her voice.
“This must be it!”
He had no intention of forgiving.
There was nothing he wanted to say or hear right now. What could possibly be said at this point?
Nothing that would change anything.
Ricardo set the phone down on the chair and walked toward his bright-blue-haired junior.
