Chapter 272: Chapter 270

'Beautiful World'

The project that made Ahjin Soft the global company it was today, and the world's first virtual reality game. At the time, when Yoo Jinho decided on this name, all the employees opposed it, saying it was cheesy, but what it was called didn't really matter. The world's first, that alone was enough. Moreover, Beautiful World was a long-lasting game that was still consistently popular even after 20 years. It simply couldn't fail. Various content utilizing the platform, open-world sandbox, and sustainable gameplay. All of that, realized in virtual reality, was truly 'beautiful' with its innovative stimulation. And that craze was still going strong even today.

The veteran gamers were called 'Beautiful Uncles.' The people young when it was released were now middle-aged, and those who were middle-aged were now elderly. But despite that, they were still the main consumer base, actively enjoying the game even after 20 years. The game industry couldn't help but pay attention to this, calling it a truly exceptional phenomenon. And at the same time, they pointed out one thing as the reason for its long-lasting popularity. The development of the 'game capsule.'

Yoo Jinho poured all the technology he could into the 'game capsule,' a device essential for users to access the virtual reality game. And that engineering wasn't limited to just the game's performance; he also put a great deal of effort into the 'environment' where the game was played. Highly advanced ergonomic fluffiness and a full-body massage function. The comfort of relaxing and loosening up the muscles of the whole body just by lying down without playing the game, and even the effect of muscle training through minute electrical stimulation. It was so effective that even those with turtle necks or herniated discs could get meaningful rehabilitation effects just by lying still in the game capsule. And there was no need to worry about eye strain since it was a virtual reality game enjoyed with eyes closed.

The future is already here. This was the catchphrase Yoo Jinho used when he released Beautiful World. But the game capsule he created wasn't without its drawbacks. As much as he wanted to improve the device, the price would also become ridiculously high. But that problem was unexpectedly solved quickly.

– The price is a problem? Then just rent it out.

– B-brother?!

It was Sung Jinwoo. Yoo Jinho had a shocked expression at the casual remark.

'Capsule rental service'

That's right. In short, a subscription service. He was so focused on development that he missed that simple solution!

– As expected of you, brother! How did you come up with such a brilliant idea...!

– Everyone's doing it, it's not that brilliant. There's an ant in my house who's addicted to Netflix.

– ...Ant? Are there bugs in your house these days, brother?

– Hmm. Quite a lot.

– Should I send you a pest control team contracted with our company?

– No... They would die.

– Huh? Of course they'll die, they're bugs.

– No, the people.

– ...Hmm?

Anyway, the capsule rental service that started with Sung Jinwoo's advice truly gave wings to Ahjin Soft.

– Don't buy, rent!

– We even provide AS and on-site service!

And Yoo Jinho took it a step further.

– Ah, and let's rent to other companies too!

It was from then that the era of virtual reality games truly began. Yoo Jinho didn't just rent game capsules to users, but generously lent them to other game companies as well. We will focus on further research and development of the capsules. So that users can play games more comfortably and conveniently. So please enjoy other games to your heart's content in 'our capsules.'

'Capsules belonged to Ahjin Soft' Since Ahjin Soft held all the patents for game capsule technology and systems, other game companies focused on developing virtual reality content that generated immediate profit rather than making huge investments to surpass that technology. Just like Apple, which surprised the world with the iPhone long ago, Ahjin Soft also quickly grew into a giant company.

But then, the Cataclysm suddenly struck Earth. The world was shocked as Gates opened and magical beasts from other dimensions invaded. The game industry faltered. Who would play games when they were about to die? But a crisis was also an opportunity. Thanks to various Hunters around the globe, including Woo Jinchul, humanity quickly adapted to the changed world. And Ahjin Soft had another opportunity to leap forward.

'Eternal Sleep Disease'

The mysterious sickness that began with the Cataclysm. Curing that disease was a task for the medical field to solve in the future, but until then, they needed a device to keep those who fell into Eternal Slumber alive. And people found the solution in Ahjin Soft without prompting. That's right. The 'game capsule.'

The game capsule, which was made by stuffing all sorts of medical equipment into it for comfortable gaming, could function as a 'life support device' for Eternal Sleep Disease patients. Moreover, now that it had been modified to use magic stones instead of electricity as fuel, the synergy effect was undeniable.

"...That's what I'm saying. So." There was only one reason why Yoo Jinho passionately explained his company to Cha Hae-in like this.

"It doesn't matter how many people you bring from North Korea. We have plenty of life support devices in our warehouse."

Thud! Thud! Thud—!

Behind him, numerous employees were already unloading 'game capsules' from a giant truck. Since he bought all the empty buildings, they had plenty of 'hospital rooms'. And there were more than enough life support devices for the North Korean survivors.

"Suho. We adults will take care of the rest, so you just focus on rescuing people." Suho nodded at Yoo Jinho's reassuring words and immediately returned to North Korea to find a new Elvenwood.

"Now then..." Yoo Jinho turned his head.

He saw the reporters who had flocked to Yangpyeong. And now, it was Yoo Jinho, not Cha Hae-in, who had to do the interview. If Cha Hae-in was the face with a positive image, Yoo Jinho confidently declared himself as the person in charge of all this,

"We don't need government support or cooperation from other hospitals. Ahjin Soft will directly provide unsparing care for the North Korean survivors."

Yoo Jinho, doing the interview, now wore the mask of a thorough businessman. And he calmly responded to the reporters who bombarded him with questions,

"Please understand that I can't answer every question due to time constraints. All I have to say is that I'm truly grateful. Thanks to the users who support Ahjin Soft, we can do something meaningful for humanity without worrying about money. So I'll give all the credit to our users, not us."

Flash Flash Flash Flash Flash—!

Yoo Jinho's eyes didn't waver in the slightest in the face of the camera flashes. And with that, the reporters began to spread numerous news articles on the internet. The titles were obvious.

– Meaningful work for humanity!

– All credit to the users!

And his interview was enough to move the hearts of all users who loved virtual reality. That was his intention in the first place.

'...The company's stock price will go up.' Yoo Jinho thought with a shameless expression. Yes, this was right. If you did an act of kindness, you had to boast about it.

'I'll take credit for my own good deeds.'

* * *

Afterwards...

Yoo Jinho's expression after finishing the interview still didn't relax.

'...Yes. If you do a good deed, you have to boast about it.' Reiterating his thoughts, he looked at the North Korean survivors who were safely recovering in the game capsules. Seeing them, a quiet anger gradually built up in his heart.

'...Brother.' Thanks to Suho, Yoo Jinho regained all his old memories. Most of those memories were of Sung Jinwoo. Memories of the brother he still respected the most, even though he was living a new life.

...That was why he was so angry. Because Yoo Jinho was the one who watched Sung Jinwoo's life from closer than anyone else.

"Itarim, was it?" Yoo Jinho's eyes burned with quiet rage and he gritted his teeth

Yes.

The Sung Jinwoo he remembered, that dependable figure, was always alone.

The Sung Jinwoo he saw always fought alone.

In a place no one knew. To protect the world.

And the noble peace he achieved was broken again like this.

"Because of those bastards, the peace that my brother worked so hard to protect was broken again."

Yes. That was what angered him the most. That his brother's efforts were in vain. Rage surged. So he vowed.

"I will never forgive you."

He was no longer the naive young man from back then. He had no intention of just watching from behind like that time.

"Harmakan." As he muttered through gritted teeth,

Rustle.

The shadow mage that Suho left behind. Harmakan, whom Yoo Jinho specifically asked to leave here, rose from beside him.

[Yes, what do you want me to do?] Harmakan had a slightly dissatisfied expression. To have to carry out the orders of a mere human, not his master. But Yoo Jinho's next request was enough to pique his interest.

"Suho said you're good at using strange magic."

[Yes, I'm the best when it comes to magic. What do you want? Curse? Evil spirit?]

"Not that." Yoo Jinho's gaze was fixed on the numerous game capsules before him. He was looking at the North Korean survivors lying quietly inside, unconscious.

"Actually, the reason why we have so many of these capsules in our warehouse is that they're new products that are about to be released. They're new models that allow the use of magic power inside, for the 'Solo Leveling' project that Hunters will use for virtual reality training."

[Oh. Even the use of magic power?] Harmakan's eyes flashed at those words. He immediately understood what Yoo Jinho was trying to say.

"Can you modify these capsules with your magic?"

[How?]

"So that the minds of these survivors can awaken in virtual reality."

[You're saying to bring back the souls that have gone to the Sea of The Afterlife to their bodies?]

"Why? Is it difficult?"

[Of course it's difficult. But...] Scanning the structure of mana flowing within the game capsule, Harmakan had a meaningful smile.

[Did you know? Even at this moment, countless shadow soldiers are sailing the Sea of The Afterlife on ships. All those soldiers are connected to each other with coordinates centered on Master.]

"What does that mean?"

[It means that a place where dimensional coordinates are fixed is no longer an unknown dimension. If it's just for the souls that the soldiers personally found there... it might be possible to modify them to be summoned to your virtual reality.]

"That's good news. Then can you also summon the last memories or situations they saw to virtual reality?"

[That's much easier than summoning souls. Instance dungeons are my specialty.]

While conversing, Harmakan looked at the human before him who made such a bold request. His magic power was only D-rank by human standards. He was a hunter who would normally be considered insignificant. But... Wasn't this quite something? Harmakan's eyes gleamed meaningfully.

[Your goal wasn't just to cure Eternal Sleep Disease. The real objective is to grasp the identity of the enemies our Master will face in the future through their memories.]

"And even their strategies."

Grin. Yoo Jinho and Harmakan's gazes met in the air. His lips curled into a fearsome smile as he reaffirmed his resolve,

"This time, I will not let him fight alone."