Chapter 145

Including those that had not yet hatched, there were hundreds of thousands of Trial Meteorites that had fallen to Earth.

It was only natural that I didn’t know about all the Trials.

It was also only natural that CEO Cha knew about Trials I didn’t.

This was because CEO Cha was continuously entering Trials in the real world as the representative of Paseong.

Unlike me, who only entered domestic Trials, CEO Cha also received many requests from abroad.

But to think that there was a Trial where Sa Gongyeon appeared as an NPC.

As someone who had received a text message sent by Sa Gongyeon, I felt more bewildered than happy to have found a clue.

‘A Trial NPC that can influence reality?’

I quickly chased away the uncertain thought.

Nothing was confirmed yet. I needed to hear more from CEO Cha.

“Let’s go inside and talk.”

CEO Cha turned around immediately. Having achieved her goal, Kang Cheonseo smiled and let go of my arm.

She walked alongside CEO Cha, who was leading the way, and winked at me.

I flashed a business smile at the Chairman and followed her, keeping an eye on Je Hyun-oh.

After confirming that he appeared fine, I approached Kang Byeokrin.

When we had briefly met at Chairman Cheongang’s residence before, Kang Byeokrin had fallen and sprained her leg.

It bothered me that we hadn’t been able to talk at the time because she was supposedly getting her leg treated.

Although it was in the past, we had received a great deal of help thanks to Cheongang becoming the team’s sponsor.

Since I felt nothing but gratitude toward Cheongang in many ways, I wanted to treat her well as well.

“How have you been?”

For some reason, Kang Byeokrin was startled the moment I spoke to her.

Her face, which had been subtly flushed for a while, turned even redder, and she suddenly covered her mouth with her hand.

She answered only after some time had passed.

“Yes… Um, Goyo…-ssi, have you been doing well?”

I knew that Kang Byeokrin, befitting her status as Kang Cheonseo’s granddaughter, possessed a formidable personality, yet strangely, she gave off a very gentle impression.

I couldn’t judge if I was mistaken, as I had already overheard what she said as she got out of the car during our first meeting.

‘I thought she disliked commoners.’

I also wondered if she was being nice to me because of Kang Cheonseo.

“I’ve been doing well. I felt like I didn’t get to properly greet you back then.”

It was a relief that the leg she had fallen on seemed to have fully healed.

Just as I was about to bring up a casual topic like the weather, Kang Byeokrin asked me first.

“Have you… eaten?”

“Yes. I’ve already eaten.”

Just as I was about to continue the conversation by asking if she had eaten, a barrage of questions suddenly poured in.

“You’re eating three meals a day, right? You need to make sure you eat properly every single day. Are you getting enough sleep? You’re sleeping at least seven hours, right?”

My brain froze for a moment at the sudden barrage of words.

I didn’t know how to answer. Kang Byeokrin’s gaze was too serious to simply brush it off as a joke.

After a moment of hesitation, I gave the safest possible answer.

“I am taking good care of my health. Thank you for your concern.”

However, Kang Byeokrin’s questions still hadn’t ended.

“What about nutritional supplements? You don’t take any herbal medicine, do you? Maybe could I have some tonics prepared…”

“Rin.”

Kang Cheonseo called her name without even turning around, as if giving a warning.

Kang Byeokrin’s lips parted as if to speak, but she ultimately fell silent and pressed her lips firmly together.

Even so, she looked at me with pleading eyes.

As someone who had been subjected to a health survey out of the blue, I felt a bit awkward.

I couldn’t understand why Kang Byeokrin was looking out for me to this extent.

However, it didn’t seem like she asked with bad intentions, and for some reason, it seemed like an important matter to her.

I felt that I shouldn’t answer carelessly.

First, I lowered the corners of my eyes and put on the kindest smile I could.

Then, I lowered my voice and whispered softly.

“I will make sure to take my nutritional supplements and get some herbal medicine.”

Upon hearing my reply, Kang Byeokrin’s eyes widened.

Then, her face looked as if she were about to cry.

I, who had tried my best to answer nicely, was startled and flustered.

I felt like I had made a mistake, but I hesitated because I didn’t know what it was, until Kang Byeokrin immediately composed herself.

Kang Byeokrin spoke to me seriously.

“That’s a promise.”

…I had intended to play dumb.

I’d thought I could just ignore it, since I’d likely have little contact with her in the future, but I realized I couldn’t simply brush it off.

Taking herbal medicine might be too much trouble, but I should take my nutritional supplements.

As we arrived at the Paseong CEO’s office, the conversation with Kang Byeokrin naturally came to a halt.

The Paseong directors, who were waiting outside the office, bowed in greeting.

Je Hyun-oh held out the coffee and dessert he was holding to Mok Saehwa, who was standing nearby.

Mok Saehwa looked at Je Hyun-oh with a look that seemed to say, "What is this?"

At that, CEO Cha gave a slight nod, and Mok Saehwa immediately switched into welcoming mode, smiling brightly as she accepted them.

"I bought these for you directors."

When I quickly approached and explained, Mok Saehwa’s smile turned genuine.

"It was Goyo-nim? Thank you."

"Oh dear, we should be the ones treating you, Goyo-nim…"

Seo Moonchan also looked deeply moved.

I had bought a small gift because I felt bad coming empty-handed, but they liked it so much that I felt a little embarrassed.

"Shall I hold your bag for a moment?"

Mok Saehwa asked me kindly, but I replied that it was fine.

The duffel bag was light, and since the box on the side was a gift, I wanted to deliver it personally.

The CEO’s office, decorated in a clean, minimalist style, reflected CEO Cha’s own personality.

I spotted a pair of white headphones on the desk inside.

It seemed he had been wearing them until the guests arrived.

“We’re both busy, so I’ll get straight to the point and leave quickly.”

Kang Cheonseo said, sitting on the sofa as if it were her own home.

“What Geumcheon wants is ‘Good-Looking’.”

‘Good-Looking’ was a small bronze hand mirror item.

It transformed the user’s appearance to match the preference of the NPC presiding over the current Trial.

It could only be used once per trial, and it was an item I had used in Clean3 but hadn’t seen any change in my appearance.

Since there was no better item for safely gaining an NPC’s favor, it was understandable that Geumcheon would covet it.

“Why would we strike a deal with criminals? I refused immediately. And then they approached Rin.”

Geumcheon proposed to Kang Byeokrin that they would give her a certain item in exchange for ‘Good-Looking.’

However, surprisingly, that proposal cut through a secret that Cheongang had been hiding.

Cheongang was searching for the insider who had leaked the information, but they were facing more difficulties than expected.

“Geumcheon found out about something we only shared among people we truly trusted; it’s terrifying, so we can’t live like this.”

“What kind of item was it?”

At CEO Cha’s question, Kang Cheonseo gestured to Kang Byeokrin.

Kang Byeokrin slowly opened her mouth to answer.

“They said it was an item that perfectly restores a damaged body.”

Does Kang Byeokrin need a body recovery item?

‘She doesn’t look injured.’

Regardless of my confusion, Geumcheon’s proposal was a lie.

Recovery items themselves could certainly exist.

However, to receive such an item as a clear reward, one would have to be the top contributor in achieving the True Ending.

Even as the top contributor, you couldn’t obtain a restoration item like that from a normal ending.

‘But what kind of Trial is it, anyway?’

I was curious. If it were a Trial I had already played through in the game…

Suddenly, a system window popped up.

I felt a brief moment of relief at its sudden appearance after being quiet since Cell-X, but the system window poured out a barrage of nagging.

Come to think of it, it seemed the system had been frustrated by its inability to speak all this time.

Otherwise, there was no way it wouldn’t have displayed this system window the moment it got the chance.

‘Do you happen to know how to open an Interstellar Account?’

Welcoming the return of the System, I asked the question inwardly, but instead of an answer, only the quest progress window appeared.

I had wondered why the window related to the Epic Quest didn’t pop up when I closed Cell-X, but it seemed the System was sending them manually.

After letting the system window vanish without a second thought—since it had disappeared right after saying its piece—I refocused on the conversation.

Kang Byeokrin had rejected Geumcheon’s proposal.

And while they were investigating Geumcheon, Sa Gongyeon had reached out.

It was absurd in the first place that a mere reporter had detected movements within Cheongang in real time.

But the content was even more dumbfounding.

“They will provide us with information regarding Geumcheon, but in return…”

Kang Byeokrin looked at me and spoke cautiously.

“They have requested support from Han Goyo, an Adaptee affiliated with the Trial Response Agency.”

All eyes in the CEO’s office instantly turned toward me.

I was extremely flustered by the sudden mention of my name.

This was the reason Kang Cheonseo had implied that I needed to know as well.

The situation was becoming entangled in a completely unexpected way.

“That’s enough of our story for now. So, CEO Cha, what is this NPC? I’m curious, so please tell me.”

Kang Cheonseo gestured toward CEO Cha.

CEO Cha, perhaps deep in thought, spoke a little late.

“It was a request for an interview.”

He explained that he had received a phone call within the Trial while attempting the clear; a reporter introducing herself as Sa Gongyeon had requested an interview.

Thinking it was just a simple event, CEO Cha ignored the call and continued on, clearing the Trial without any issues.

And as soon as I heard those words, I was convinced.

‘Sa Gongyeon is not an NPC.’

Just as Black Block-ssi had reached out to me while I was inside the Trial, it seemed Sa Gongyeon had approached CEO Cha in a similar manner.

I don’t know why it had to be an interview request, but…

‘She requested a feature interview from me, too.’

Black Block-ssi and Sa Gongyeon didn’t feel like the same person.

Furthermore, Black Block-ssi had interstellar communication that allowed him to contact me directly.

It seemed unlikely he would bother sending messages via mobile phone.

While I was struggling to figure out the connection between the two beings, Kang Cheonseo called out to me.

“Goyo.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“Be careful. Of course, I’m sure the TRA and Paseong will handle things competently…”

Kang Cheonseo glanced at Je Hyun-oh for a moment.

Je Hyun-oh, who was standing leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, still wore a blank expression despite the rather shocking conversation that had just taken place.

Kang Cheonseo smiled at me again and said:

“You know, the older you get, the more things there are to be afraid of.”

I still don’t know why Sa Gongyeon approached me.

However, Geumcheon certainly had reason to take an interest in me.

After all, I was the right person to obtain the expensive trial item they wanted.

Still, the reason I wasn’t too worried seemed to be thanks to the Special Mission Team. I felt even more reassured having Samra there.

“Anyway, CEO Cha. Given the situation, don’t just hire a mercenary; just assign one of the directors to me. I’m telling you, I’m really scared.”

Kang Cheonseo spoke with a playful air, yet the underlying anxiety beneath her jest was clearly visible.

It was because she had come to realize that neither Geumcheon nor Sa Gongyeon, who had appeared suddenly, were ordinary beings.

CEO Cha called out to her in a low voice, “Chairman Kang.”

However, he did not offer detailed explanations or lengthy words of reassurance.

He simply asked a short question in return.

“Has Paseong ever disappointed you?”

Kang Cheonseo’s eyes widened for a moment, then she curled the corners of her mouth upward and smiled broadly.

“Of course not. That’s CEO Cha for you. So, should I put my trust in you, CEO Cha?”

She rose from the sofa and spoke with a relieved expression.

“I’ll be going now, so you young people talk amongst yourselves. Goyo, don’t forget to come visit next time.”

Kang Byeokrin glanced back at me one last time.

I gave her a slight smile, and after exchanging a nod with me, she followed Kang Cheonseo out.

I heard the directors and Kang Cheonseo talking briefly outside the door briefly before the sound faded away.

And in the CEO’s office.

“…….”

Now only CEO Cha, myself, and Je Hyun-oh remained.

With only the three of us left, I suddenly felt a sense of pressure.

It was because CEO Cha had changed the atmosphere like the flip of a switch the moment Kang Cheonseo and Kang Byeokrin disappeared.

“I didn’t expect you to bring a guardian for a hospital visit.”

CEO Cha asked, staring at Je Hyun-oh.

“Are you even capable of acting as a guardian in the first place?”

Je Hyun-oh had been indifferent until then, but he wasn’t the type to back down from a provocation.

He slowly narrowed his eyes and raised his body from where he had been leaning against the wall.

“CEO Cha!”

I hurriedly called out to CEO Cha to change the atmosphere.

Then, I handed him the large box I had placed on the empty chair.

“It’s a get-well gift.”

CEO Cha let out a hollow laugh.

My get-well gift was a box of cup noodles.

Six cups of noodles were neatly packed under the plastic covering the box.

I carefully observed CEO Cha’s reaction.

Objectively speaking, I had chosen a rather bizarre get-well gift, but there was a reason behind my choice.

In Cell-X, I had seen CEO Cha’s affinity rating.

It wasn’t that I intended to look at it, but… anyway, the score was abnormally high, so I couldn’t help but be suspicious.

After much deliberation, I had picked out something that would hold significance for the CEO Cha within the game and brought it as a gift.

“Is my life worth so little?”

I felt like I was going to be sliced ​​apart by the Daeil Yeorae.

‘I guess I was wrong.’

I breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.

However, despite his bewilderment, CEO Cha did not throw the box of cup noodles; instead, he merely placed it on the desk.

Seeing that reaction left me even more confused.

Just as I was gazing at the unfamiliar figure before me…

CEO Cha took out a large hard-shell case.

“Open it.”

When I looked at him suspiciously, he added.

“It’s better than ramen.”

“…….”

I quietly approached the desk and opened the case he had placed there.

Inside the case was a Trial Meteorite.

For Trials of one or two stars, one could move the meteorite using a special item.

The TRA had also collected some lower-grade Trials for training Adaptees.

Could it be that CEO Cha went out of his way to find and bring this meteorite because I had to shut down Trials?

And here I was, having brought nothing but a box of instant noodles as a get-well gift.

My conscience pricked a little.

Just as I was looking at the meteorite, shining in half red and blue…

CEO Cha snatched my hand, and at the same time, the sound of metal was heard.

Je Hyun-oh reacted immediately, throwing away his humanoid form and moving, but…

The world melted into mottled fluorescent colors.

Pushed out of the entry zone, Je Hyun-oh sliced ​​through the interior of the CEO’s office with his metal hand.

I barely had a moment to widen my eyes at the sight of the sofa and table being brutally sliced ​​apart.

I had entered a new Trial.

I stared at CEO Cha across from me with a look of disbelief.

A large glass window separated him and me, both of us wearing patient gowns like test subjects, and a red button and a blue button lay in front of each of us.

The Trial CEO Cha had dragged me into, PTB, only allowed entry for a maximum of two players.

PTB was a very simple game; you clear it if two people answer five questions correctly in a row.

There was no significant danger even if you didn’t answer correctly.

Furthermore, the questions were drawn from a pool of thirty.

Even if you got them wrong, you could memorize the answers after going through the round once.

The fact that he dragged me into a trial that was likely only one star and extremely easy to clear…

"Han Goyo."

CEO Cha drew the Daeil Yeorae from behind the window.

“I think we have something to talk about.”

And then he sliced ​​the button in half.

Looking at the button split in half, I clearly realized CEO Cha’s intentions.

CEO Cha had no intention of leaving until he heard the answer he wanted from me.

However, there was something he didn’t know.

If the two of us fail reach a consensus even once by the time 30 questions have passed, a new gimmick would be triggered.

A researcher would come out and begin the experiment.

i might be sick in the head but i really hope goyo fails this epic quest and lose his eyes…would make some great angst. i really wonder what’s going on with ceo cha’s affinity levels if goyo confirmed he doesn’t remember anything from the games they did…also ceo cha wins again, sorry hyun-oh

also rin is so cute, i can’t believe she’s been looking for an item for him