Yoo Juncheol displayed some text on the hologram. Since it was all in foreign languages, Yoon Seo couldn't read it.
"There are also various opinions about this test. Many think it's not so much a test as it is a procedure. For instance, like a developing country. When a developing country achieves a certain level of GDP per capita, it joins the ranks of developed countries. Then, the benefits they received as a developing country are withdrawn, and they are subjected to regulations like carbon emission limits. In a similar way, Earth, having reached a certain level of civilization from the perspective of the universe, now has responsibilities and obligations as an advanced planet."
"An advanced planet…"
"On the other hand, there are those who argue that an unknown enemy, this 'discord,' is approaching Earth, which is why Earth's strength is being urgently enhanced."
"In that sense, you could see it as protection too."
Kwon Jihan said, stroking his chin.
"It makes me think of phenomena like dark flow or the Great Attractor near our galaxy. If those are actually manifestations of the discord, and if the guardian gods have been protecting us from the discord getting closer…"
"..."
"If the dimension outside the universe, where the discord exists, has gotten closer to our dimension, Earth, and this proximity has brought a virus causing the monsters to appear… And to give us the power to fight these monsters, the Gaia system was hurriedly implemented… Is that it?"
"Yeah. It's just speculation, though."
"Although monsters and the Gaia system appeared almost at the same time, the monsters came first, so it's possible…"
"This theory seems plausible to you too, doesn't it?"
"It's interesting, but there's still a lot that doesn't add up."
Kwon Jihan tapped his fingers on the desk.
"The celestial bodies at the edge of the observable universe, the way we see them, are from 13.8 to 14 billion years ago. Considering it was the infant stage of the universe, it might not be all that different from our universe at this point. There might be stars and planets, and perhaps intelligent life traveling the universe. We just can't see it with our physical laws, but there is a high probability that another universe could have formed."
Following Kwon Jihan's words, the conversation drifted even further into topics Yoon Seo didn't understand.
Wave states and interactions, cosmic misalignment, cosmic microwave background radiation, entropy, thermodynamics—some kind of law…
"…Given all this, it wouldn't be strange if the discord's domain was right next to Earth. What do you think, Yoon Seo?"
Yoo Juncheol asked for his opinion, to which Yoon Seo replied,
"So, you're saying the universe is round?"
"…"
"…"
Yoon Seo pressed his throbbing temple, abruptly silencing the heated discussion. Even though he'd taken medicine, his head still hurt.
"I have no interest in these kinds of talks, so I'll take my leave. Please continue the discussion."
"Oh, hyung, where are you going?"
When Yoon Seo stood up, Kwon Jihan quickly pushed back his chair and followed suit. Riceball, too, chirped as it fluttered and landed on top of Jihan's head.
"Let's talk a bit more. We'll find an answer if we keep discussing."
"I don't really think it's necessary…"
"No, hyung, you need to be here. You heard it directly yourself."
"Enough. I'll leave it to the smart ones."
"Ah."
Kwon Jihan grabbed Yoon Seo by the wrist and didn't let go.
Jihan looked conflicted as he glanced at the hologram displaying various complex astrophysics theories and images of the universe. He also looked over at Yoo Juncheol and Do Deungsoo, who were awkwardly standing there, blinking, before finally returning his gaze to Yoon Seo.
"You're heading to the training room, right? I can't let you bulk up alone. My muscles must always be bigger."
"What nonsense are you talking about? Besides, no training today. I think I need to take it easy and watch 'Love in Han River' after getting off work today. My head already hurts just thinking about the inspection of the chosen one tomorrow, and I've heard stuff today that my brain just can't handle." (same yoon seo… same…)
"I want to watch it too. Let's see episode 40. The scene where Lee Namjoo completes the potato kimchi stew always gives me chills."
Kwon Jihan followed behind Yoon Seo, who was heading out of the conference room.
"Jihan, are you really just going to leave like this?"
Yoo Juncheol asked, sounding quite flustered.
"Hyung, just a moment."
Yoon Seo could have easily shaken off Jihan's hand if he wanted to, but instead, he let Jihan hold on while he looked at him. Jihan looked into Yoon Seo's brown eyes, telling him to wait a moment, then spoke to Yoo Juncheol while still holding Yoon Seo.
"For now, this seems to be the most convincing point. We'll leave it at that for the time being."
"Well, yes, but wouldn't it be better to know about other theories too? Who knows, something might suddenly come to mind during our discussions."
Yoo Juncheol was genuinely baffled.
Though Jihan might not have much academic background, he was never one to avoid such discussions. Contrary to his seemingly indifferent demeanor, Jihan was more curious than anyone about the secrets of the Gaia system and the mysteries of the universe. He and Juncheol often spent hours sipping drinks that didn't even get them tipsy, rambling on about quantum mechanics, relativity, and string theory.
If it were the Kwon Jihan that Juncheol knew, he should be engaging in this topic, offering his own opinions and delving deeper. But just because Yoon Seo stood up, he was abandoning the discussion and leaving?
This wasn't like Jihan at all.
"Whatever. The smart people will figure it out for us. We're leaving."
Kwon Jihan, still holding onto Yoon Seo's arm, opened the door of the conference room and walked out. Their departing figures showed no sign of hesitation.
"…"
"…"
The sound of their footsteps gradually faded away.
Yoo Juncheol and Do Deungsoo exchanged glances. Yoo Juncheol looked utterly bewildered, while Do Deungsoo spoke first.
"Don't be too disappointed. Honestly, Hunter Kwon Jihan is only 22 years old. It's normal for him to dislike conversations like this."
"…But he hasn't disliked them until now."
"That was the strange part, Guild Master. It's normal to dislike them."
"…"
Do Deungsoo shrugged lightly. Meanwhile, Yoo Juncheol looked as if he'd been struck by a realization.
Right, disliking it is normal.
Yoo Juncheol knew Kwon Jihan's childhood. An insolent kid, but one who listened well to his mother. Good at cooking and household chores, but uninterested in studying. Even before his awakening, he had no real passion for academics, so it was unlikely that he suddenly developed an interest in the universe.
Responsibility as a powerful being.
A sense of duty to protect the world.
It was with that sense of responsibility and duty that Jihan delved into complex and unappealing topics.
And now, that very person had decided to set aside his responsibility as a powerful being and follow his desires… to follow Yoon Seo.
He was abandoning the truths of the universe to watch a strange kimchi stew drama…
"…"
Yoo Juncheol decided not to hold Jihan back.
He had a gut feeling that this kind of change was something he'd experience more of in the future. And it wasn't a bad change at all.
***
18. Entering the Great Dungeon
Disclosing the conversation with the Observer to the public was postponed until after clearing the Great Dungeon. Revealing this information too soon would only make groups like Galaxaia more reckless.
Since getting called out by Kwon Jihan on social media, Galaxaia had received widespread public criticism and had quieted down on the surface. Whether they were truly subdued or just pretending to be would become clear during today's inspection of the "Chosen Ones."
More than 800 people had contacted top hunter organizations worldwide, claiming to have the "Chosen One" trait. However, after it was announced that Seokyoung would conduct the inspection, the number dwindled to 116.
Today, those 116 people from around the world gathered in Seokyoung's interrogation room. The room, called the "Reading Room," had one side made of a two-way mirror. When Yoon Seo was part of an interim team, he'd also been interrogated here. Back then, he'd been inside, but today he was in the situation room, observing Seokyoung's skill users and the self-proclaimed "Chosen Ones." A Seokyoung employee spoke to Kwon Jihan and Yoon Seo.
"Are you ready?"
Beep.
Riceball answered.
"Yes, we're ready."
Yoon Seo replied as he placed Riceball, who had transformed into a squirrel, into his front pocket. Riceball stuck his head out and looked around.
"Begin."
At Jihan's command, the Seokyoung employee spoke into the microphone, instructing them to send in the first person. A middle-aged foreign woman entered. She had deep eyes and an impression that seemed kind.
Is that person a Chosen One? If so, which of the
Yoon Seo first used
['Kwon Jihan' has activated the
As soon as the skill notification for Jihan's usage appeared, he spoke.
"This person isn't the one. Tell them to leave."
"Did they fake their trait? Are they from the Galaxaia cult?"
"Their trait is 'Healer,' and they used an A-rank item to pretend to be a 'Chosen One.' I'm not sure if they're a fanatic or not."
Curious, Yoon Seo used
[Encyclopedia of People: Marita Ariel, 55 years old, Female
Rank: A
Trait: Healer
(Currently using the item 'Masquerade' to impersonate a 'Chosen One')
(Using the item 'Volume Amplifier' to enhance the 'Masquerade' item's rank)
(Protected by the God of Light)
Skills:
Special Skill:
*Additional statuses can only be viewed in dungeons.]
It was difficult to determine if she was a cult member based on the system profile alone, but faking her trait certainly seemed suspicious.
The Seokyoung employee chose not to reveal what they had found to Marita Ariel, instead escorting her back to the waiting room and calling in the next person. A dark-skinned woman entered, her face full of confidence.
Kwon Jihan's eyes gleamed with interest.
"This trait is…"
Seeing Jihan's surprise, Yoon Seo quickly checked the system profile.