00027 - The Little Prince in the Ossuary
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#Intermission, Cancer-solving! Munchkin Package Mk.1!
"A ghost is haunting the relay channel. The ghost of cancer. All the viewers of this world, content creators, and virtual reality users alike, have united in a sacred alliance to hunt this ghost."
"The entire history of virtual reality to date is the history of cancer."
"Make every source of cancer tremble before the DLC revolution! The only thing viewers have to lose is money, while they gain all the pleasures of this world."
"Zuschauer aller Länder, vereinigt euch!"
Greetings, viewers around the world. The company DLC advertisement is back, early because of financial matters.
Today, we introduce the new DLC: "Cancer-solving! Munchkin Package Mk.1".
... Do we even need an introduction for this? The name says it all.
Still, work is work when you need to earn that salary.
Folks, while watching virtual reality broadcasts, we encounter numerous sources of cancer. It's mainly because of the hosts, isn't it? With TOM ratings being low, low aptitudes, or control being below standard, the reasons are endless. Many hosts are elderly, contributing to stress for them as well. It's their lack of effort, but you still feel sorry, don't you?
We don't watch broadcasts to see hosts stumbling aimlessly or bowing to characters within the storyline. There's no reason to receive stress from broadcasts, too, as we already have enough in reality.
The most frustrating scenario is when a broadcast, which you've watched for a long time, ends with a lackluster conclusion. Everyone dislikes bad or sad endings, right? It's more than just a metaphor when we say it's cancer-inducing.
The package is a viewer-exclusive purchase. It's designed as a viewer quest you can gift to a host. Once accepted, lo and behold! 10,000 experience points fill up in one go! A miracle of capitalism, providing strength to overcome any crisis!
Feeling skeptical? Oh, come on. Virtual reality mimics reality's leisure. In reality, money can solve anything, so it should be the same in virtual reality. Haven't there been countless online packages from Korea? That's how those 'dangerous' cars work, and that's how you're supposed to use our service.
What? Does it cut the flow suddenly? You're right. Not even the situation computation adjustment of Post-insurance Management AI can sometimes process the contradictions DLC creates. Characters in the storyline would question how you changed so much in a short time or why you had hidden such abilities before.
But who's watching broadcasts for emotional connection and logical consistency these days? It's mostly all cause, climax, and sensational climax or destruction. Hocus pocus! Destroy it! Ahaha! Relieve stress and indulge yourself.
This product is compatible with all virtual reality settings that match the post-insurance standards. We hope you love our new anticancer pills.
This has been reported by the Paradise Group Virtual Reality Division.
#Executive Order 9066, Camp Roberts (3)
A community needs middle managers and officials. There were crises experienced during unfamiliar times. Unexpectedly prolonged activities outside, only to return and find the community vanished. Disbanded in the air. Hierarchy and responsibility must be clear to manage crises in the leaders' absence. Not just a minor issue of task distribution.
Considering the atmosphere of the 「Gyeo-ul Alliance」, appointing someone arbitrarily wouldn't cause backlash. However, should a leader cause trouble, the blame falls on Gyeo-ul himself. The reverse is also true. When considering stability, it's better when blame is more easily assigned in emergencies.
Hence, candidates were registered through recommendations, and selected via anonymous voting. Luckily, someone owned an ink pad.
This process created a list of members. Information such as age, gender, religion, education, specialty, and fingerprints was recorded. It could suffice for various purposes in the future.
Of course, when Gyeo-ul achieves a certain level of maturity, all this information would be provided through augmented reality without needing to look at such a list.
Summarizing the vote results, Gyeo-ul called out two names.
"Mr. Yun-cheol is first, Mr. Min Wan-gi is second. Please step forward."
Gyeo-ul anticipated a certain amount of support for the former, as he was the one who initially invited him. The latter was the proponent of the 「Gyeo-ul Alliance」. A gentlemanly middle-aged man wearing glasses with a cracked lens, possessing an educated speech and a gentle demeanor, naturally drawing affection—a man with high charm.
In Gyeo-ul's view, he could be seen as a scholar, whether it's in a good or bad sense.
Calling both simultaneously served the intention of assigning joint responsibility. Gyeo-ul didn't intend to establish a strong second-in-command already. He still didn't know the two well enough to trust them deeply. How could he cast favor blindly?
They must be made to check each other. There's significance in leaving space for a competition of loyalty.
"Henceforth, when I am absent, you both will alternatively take responsibility for managing the Group. Always discuss and decide on large and small matters together, but take turns holding the final decision-making authority. Do you understand what this means?"
Yun-cheol appeared slightly disappointed. He tried not to show it, making it even more evident. He likely had high expectations after seeing the election results. While it might not seem like a big deal, there's a natural desire for honor before craving power. Sometimes, the two are indistinguishable. It's not necessarily a bad thing.
On the other hand, Min Wan-gi smiled faintly. It wasn't a simple smile. He's more complicated than Yun-cheol. While he might have more capability, he could also be more difficult to handle.
"For now, shall we call your titles... the Deputy leaders? We'll change it if a better suggestion comes along later. Please shake hands and give a brief word of resolution to the people who chose you."
Being experienced with this sort of thing, Gyeo-ul handled it adeptly.
The introductions of the two revealed their personality differences clearly.
Yun-cheol stammered slightly while speaking and blushed. He was relatively naive. However, seeing that he earned the trust of people, it was evidence of his sincerity. While he might not be able to establish authority himself, he'd likely fulfill his role diligently. His inability to hide desires was endearing.
Min Wan-gi was eloquent, though not overly confident in tone. A cautious impression; entrusting negotiations with other organizations didn't seem problematic.
After these events, Min Wan-gi quietly made a comment.
"You're incredibly adept. I'm impressed."
Yun-cheol noticed and joined in with the compliments. Gyeo-ul read the increasing and decreasing psychological scales from the augmented reality indications resulting from 「Perception」. A response wasn't needed. A subtle smile was enough.
Still, work remained to be done.
"Deputy leaders, could you come closer for a moment?"
Yun-cheol and Min Wan-gi seemed puzzled, as if Gyeo-ul desired a conversation others couldn't hear. People were curious but observant, each instinctively creating distance. Though it was within a tent, lowering voices allowed a confidential dialogue.
"As you know, our group is still too small. Even after appointing one platoon's worth, we'd need spare capacity to ensure self-defense."
"So, you're saying we need new people."
Gyeo-ul nodded at Yun-cheol's words.
"Yes. It's inevitable. There's a minimum number of personnel the U. S. Army requires, and our group can't meet it. Other organizations must know this too."
"In other words..."
"Won't they attempt to plant infiltrators?"
The reactions of the two Deputy leaders differed. Yun-cheol swallowed hard, while Min Wan-gi remained calm. The latter likely anticipated this scenario to some extent. Had Gyeo-ul overlooked it, a decrement in favorability would have been indicated, stemming from being underestimated rather than disappointed. Without the insight exceeding the system's assistance, guessing the psychological change's origin would be difficult. The relatively timid counterpart cautiously asked.
"Then what should we do?"
Gyeo-ul answered nonchalantly.
"Deputy leader Yun, if someone intends to come in, how could you discern? We should accept them, along with infiltrators."
"What?!"
Yun-cheol accidentally raised his voice, quickly sealing his lips when realizing the mistake from the attention it drew. Yet, the astonishment in his eyes was unmistakable. Though the volume reduced, his questioning still resembled a scream.
"What do you mean by that?! Why accept infiltrators?!"
"I've said it before. Bringing in new people is inevitable. What are we to do if there are infiltrators among them? We accept them first."
"No matter how necessary that might be..."
What a deep sigh of disbelief. Gyeo-ul chuckled.
"I'm not really worried about it."
Finally, Min Wan-gi contributed an endorsement.
"I agree. Still, I'd like to hear the little leader's thoughts."
Yun-cheol checked the two's reactions. It seemed as though there was a flow he couldn't follow. But baffling as it stood, he could only wait for an answer. A sense of defeat appeared on his face; just elected as co-deputy leader, feeling behind already might be why.
It probably wasn't bad. Gyeo-ul spoke.
"I'll make sure that no one in our group goes hungry. I'll establish no hierarchies, so no need to suffer comparisons. I assure you, life here in our group will surpass any other organization in every aspect."
After a breath for emphasis, he completed the thought.
"It will be too good to sabotage. They'll want to defect."
"Ah..."
Certainty resonated with his tone. It differed from self-confidence. The boy spoke as though it was only natural to be so. As doubt replaced his prior anxiety, Yun-cheol found peace.
Gyeo-ul shared his genuine worry.
"I have a separate concern."
"What may that be?"
"Power struggles, anxiety, religion, drugs."
The context gave clarity by this point. Yun-cheol admired this depth, recognizing that leader qualities weren't only about combat and courage. Min Wan-gi expressed satisfaction, though he still seemed to be testing Gyeo-ul.
Yun-cheol remarked, "Now I understand why you wanted a private conversation."
"I'm glad you do. If my concern was solely with power struggles, I might merely have asked for caution... But anxiety is different. When people start worrying about infiltrators, won't everyone become wary of newcomers? Some are probably already anxious, but having it openly addressed by us, the leaders—us, saying it—changes the scenario."
"Indeed, it does."
"Current members might stick together, and newcomers form their own groups, intensifying territorialism. It's a vicious cycle. Yes, a vicious cycle is foreseeable. Instead of converting infiltrators, there might be more of them. And drugs and religion... those concerns are exceedingly hazardous, I believe."
Finally speaking in earnest, Min Wan-gi added, "I'm doubtful of the little leader's age. Indeed. No better way to undermine our group than blocking traitors from defecting by using those means."
Deep in thought, Yun-cheol joined in.
"Aren't drugs more dangerous?"
Min Wan-gi replied, "Not necessarily. Unlike drugs where evidence can surface, religion can remain untouched while hidden. What's more, would you penalize someone just for religious beliefs?"
Pressing his temple, Yun-cheol considered the unexpected issue. Min Wan-gi's remaining comments continued.
"Merely possessing drugs is criminal, unlike religion. People might perceive it as undue oppression. Amongst us, there might be quite a few religious. Also, one of the most threatening outfits, the 「Full Gospel Church」, uses religion as its weapon. Their preacher claims to be both prophet and savior. To me, it's a clear cult... Considering doctrinal disagreements, religious individuals inevitably face internal unrest."
"Oh..."
More problems on reflection. They couldn't openly declare the potential presence of infiltrators, but couldn't dismiss it, either. After some contemplation, Yun-cheol suggested,
"Leader, what about this?"
"Please, go ahead."
"About religious issues, as Deputy leader Min suggested, existing believers might be more easily influenced. Should we not investigate individuals' faith beforehand and discreetly enlist reliable ones as monitors? I have several suitable candidates right now."
Acting promptly, Min Wan-gi supplemented.
---------------------------= Author's Note ---------------------------=
No one pointed it out in the last chapter—among the audience names was ActiveXStaresDown, right?
Within this world, activeX revived in 2020 and continues usage through the 2050s.
Because... well...
This degree makes it dystopian enough...