Beyond the Eternity

Chapter 178  Devil’s Roulette [2]

Ryu Yeji had once led a quiet, ordinary life as a salaryman, until the day the Imminent Events arrived, marking the start of the Main Stories.

"Yeji-ssi, can you help me give this to the department head?"

"Ahh, yes."

"Is the project done?"

"Almost, sir. I'll finish it soon."

"Head management sent the new recruit list. Take it to HR."

"Understood."

That was Yeji's life — running errands, meeting deadlines, and being the lowest rung in the industrial company's hierarchy. He worked in the Research and Development (R&D) department, tasked with creating new products.

As a newcomer to the company, he often found himself running errands for his seniors, some of whom took advantage of his helpful nature.

His life and misfortunes were painfully mediocre to say the least.

He had failed his CSAT, ended up at a third-rate university, and narrowly avoided the front lines during his military service by drawing a lucky straw. However, he was stuck in a low-paying office job. Standing above average height, with a face that blended into the crowd, Yeji had once thought of himself as a decent-looking man. He had even tried to find a girlfriend — confessing his feelings three times — but was rejected each time. Eventually, his confidence was shattered.

So, he gave up on romance altogether, focusing solely on his job.

Who knows? I might even get a promotion for my hardwork. Ah, wouldn't that be nice? That was how he used to think. It was good to hold onto hope and optimism. Without it, he would have sunk even deeper into depression.

"Woojin-ssi?"

"Huh? Hoon-ssi?"

In the bustling subway, Ryu Yeji instinctively lifted his head. Standing before him was Oh Woojin, his coworker from the same department, with his ever-cheerful smile. Beside him stood a striking woman whose elegance was hard to miss.

The two seemed completely at ease, their hands intertwined in a way that left no room for doubt.

So, the rumors were true. He's really getting married, huh? He heard word around the office that Oh Woojin was getting married. But as it turns out, those rumours weren't completely baseless.

Yeji's gaze lingered for a moment longer. Oh Woojin, always optimistic and full of energy, had found someone. The thought stirred something in him — admiration, perhaps even envy. He couldn't help but reflect on his own solitary life.

"I didn't expect to run into you here," Yeji said, breaking the silence.

"Same here," Woojin replied with a grin. "Yeji-ssi, do you usually take the subway?"

"Sometimes. And you?"

"It's a long story," Woojin said, scratching the back of his head.

Yeji shifted his attention to the woman beside Woojin. "And who might this be?"

Woojin's expression softened as he turned toward her. "Ah, this is Han Yoon. She works as a receptionist at a well-known game company. Have you heard of Pixelon?"

"Pixelon?" Yeji repeated, raising a brow. "Of course. Who hasn't?"

"That's the one!" Woojin beamed. "Go on, introduce yourself."

"Oh, yes."

Han Yoon stepped forward slightly, offering a polite smile. "It's nice to meet you, Ryu Yeji-ssi. I've heard so much about you from Woojin-ssi." Her voice was gentle but tinged with nervousness. "I've been looking forward to meeting you. It's a little intimidating, though, meeting someone Woojin-ssi speaks so highly of."

She's heard things about me?

Ryu Yeji's gaze shifted to Oh Woojin, who met his eyes with an easy smile. What exactly did he say about me? Yeji wondered.

Curiosity flickered in his expression, but he kept his tone neutral. "Oh? You've been talking about me?"

Woojin chuckled lightly, scratching the back of his head. "Of course. You're my coworker, after all. It's only natural you'd come up in conversation."

Yeji raised an eyebrow, unsure whether to feel flattered or cautious. He glanced back at Han Yoon, who maintained her polite smile, though a hint of curiosity lingered in her eyes.

What exactly did he tell her? After a brief pause, Yeji chose his words carefully.

"It's nice to meet you too, Yoon-ssi," he said with a slight nod. "I'm not sure what Woojin-ssi told you about me, but I'm a pretty average guy, you see. So there's no need to be nervous. Actually, Woojin-ssi and I graduated from the same university, and he even became somewhat famous in the company."

Woojin's retorted playfully. "Eh? Famous? Are you sure you're talking about the same Oh Hoon? Don't drag me into this!"

Yeji smirked, shaking his head. "Hoon-ssi, you're the one who brought it up."

Han Yoon chuckled softly at their banter, the tension easing from her posture. Yeji noticed and couldn't help but smile faintly.

Maybe this meeting isn't so bad after all. It was an unexpected meeting, but Ryu Yeji couldn't help but feel a sense of relief as everything seemed to flow smoothly.

Oh Woojin and Han Yoon sat down as soon as the seat next to him became vacant. The three of them sat in silence for a moment. The silence was only broken when Oh Woojin spoke up.

"Sorry, Yeji-ssi, can I ask you for a favor? I hope it won't be a bother."

"A favour?"

"Don't worry, I'm asking for something big. I just need your help with something?"

Yeji raised an eyebrow, studying his coworker. He needs my help?

Come to think of it, his shoulders have been rather stiff for a while... Yeji observed, his thoughts wandering. I wonder what he needs my help for.

The problem certainly couldn't be money—Oh Woojin ranked much higher in the company's hierarchy, and his paycheck was likely far greater than Yeji's. It wouldn't make sense for Woojin to ask him for financial assistance.

So, what could it be? Yeji thought. Relationship advice? No, that's not it either. I'm single, so I can't imagine how I could help him with that.

Wasn't he the same guy who got rejected three times?

Han Yoon screamed and instinctively grabbed onto Oh Woojin. The other passengers reacted in shock, and even Ryu Yeji was momentarily startled. It took a dozen seconds for the train to come to a complete stop.

Surely, asking for relationship advice from someone like him didn't sound practical in the slightest. Yeji had no clue when it came to matters of the heart. In fact, he might even be annoyed if Oh Woojin were to ask him for advice on something like that.

Perhaps Yeji would have preferred it if Oh Woojin had asked him for money instead.

"Yeji-ssi, what do you think about..."

But just as Oh Woojin was about to finish his sentence...

Kiiiiiiiik-!

The subway train suddenly jolted, accompanied by a loud metallic screech. The lights flickered and then went out completely, plunging the carriage into darkness.

Han Yoon screamed and instinctively grabbed onto Oh Woojin. The other passengers reacted in shock, and even Ryu Yeji was momentarily startled. It took a dozen seconds for the train to come to a complete stop.

"Uh, what happened?" someone asked.

"Is there a blackout?" another passenger wondered aloud.

In the pitch-black darkness, the faint glow of smartphone lights appeared. Han Yoon, visibly distressed, asked, "What's going on? Why did the train stop?"

"I'm not sure," Woojin said, trying to sound calm. "Let's stay calm. It's probably a temporary issue. The engineer will announce something soon."

Contrary to his words, no announcement from the engineer came.

Instead, a strange voice echoed through the train car. Yeji froze as he saw a strange red window appear before him, displaying a message that would seal the fate of the world.

[Star System 5306 has been registered in the Fables.]

[The Main Stories will begin in accordance to the planetary service.]

"W-What... W-What is this?"

Ryu Yeji's once ordinary life came to an abrupt end at that very moment.

"Hey, are you even listening?"

"W-What?"

Ryu Yeji's thoughts were forcefully bought back into the present. Soo Jinyoung was standing infront of him, glaring at him, clearly unimpressed.

She had never liked him, but now he was blankly staring into space while they were still inside a Fable. What would someone who hated weak-minded people think of him?

Realizing his blunder, he said hurriedly. "Ah, sorry. What were you saying?"

"I said we're searching the servant rooms next. Is your head up your ass or what? If you're going to space out, do it when you're outside. Got it?"

"... I'm sorry, it won't happen again."

Seemingly satisfied, Soo Jinyoung walked out of the kitchen, leaving Ryu Yeji alone with his own thoughts. He did not follow her immediately.

His gaze was unfocused, with his mind drifting into the past, far removed from the present.

Oh Woojin, Han Yoon...

Once brilliant stars faded into the twilight. That was the cruel fate of those who had fallen. They were removed from the story, and become nothing more than a fleeting memory.

He rubbed his watery eyes, composed himself, and then followed Soo Jinyoung's rapidly retreating back.

They were currently on the first floor.

According to Kim Jakga's instructions, they had seperated into three groups to search different sections of the mansion. Kim Jakga's group would search the third floor, Moon Jiyeon's group would search the second, while he and Soo Jinyoung were assigned to the first floor.

The decision was made to ensure quicker progress.

It wasn't an illogical choice, certainly not. But Ryu Yeji couldn't shake off his discomfort with it.

I get where he's coming from, but do we really need to separate? Wouldn't it be easier if we stayed together? Isn't that the more reasonable approach in a situation like this? Just because it was a logical decision doesn't mean it was the best one at the moment.

Separating in a place filled with traps and hidden horrors didn't seem all that logical from an outside perspective. However, they hadn't encountered any problems with the investigation so far.

Perhaps that was the root of Ryu Yeji's unease. He could swear he heard voices that seemingly came from everywhere yet nowhere.

I occasionally hear, from somewhere, the laughter of a innocent girl. But there's nothing innocent about the laugher itself...

What was the best way to describe that voice?

Certainly, It was the sweet voice of a child, a girl, yet it made his skin crawl. More specifically, it was the feeling it left behind, like something cold brushing against his very soul.

He had already brought up the issue with Soo Jinyoung multiple times, but each time, she brushed it off without concern. Despite his insistence, she showed no signs of detecting anything unusual.

Soo Jinyoung didn't outright call him crazy, but the way she looked at him said enough.

To her, he was wasting time chasing shadows that didn't exist.

He was certain he wasn't crazy! His thoughts were clear, his reasoning sound, and he moved with a practiced grace that betrayed no hint of instability. Surely, that ruled out insanity.

Yet, the fact that Soo Jinyoung, who had the sharpest sensory skills in the group, hadn't picked up on anything unsettled Ryu Yeji more than he cared to admit.

Was it all in his head? Were the voices nothing more than figments of his overactive imagination, born from his own doubts and insecurities?

At this point, Ryu Yeji no longer knew the answer.

Time slowly ticked by.

The moment they finished searching the third room and came up empty, Ryu Yeji finally hit his breaking point. He stood still, exhaustion and frustration written all over his face.

The search had dragged on for hours, but they hadn't uncovered a single clue—not even the faintest trace that could lead them closer to the truth.

It was impossible not to feel defeated.

"This is going nowhere. We haven't been able to find anything relevant – clues or any tangible memories which will lead us to the truth."

Ryu Yeji muttered to himself bitterly.

His mind raced with the same bitter thought: How are we supposed to solve this mystery if there's nothing to work with? The questions gnawed at him, drowning out the last bits of resolve he had left.

He let out a breath, sweeping his gaze around the empty room.

Aren't we just wasting our time like this? The doubt crept in like an unwelcome shadow.

Should I use that skill? A moment's hesitation passed. The odds were slim, but there was a chance—no matter how small—that the skill might reveal something.

The very skill that had been with him since the beginning of the Stories.

Before doubt could anchor him further, Ryu Yeji made his decision and activated his skill with a thought.

[The skill « I Want To Be Lucky Just This Once » has activated.]