Ch.66 – The Princess in the Sleeping Capsule

“What? They found a survivor from Walpurgis?”

At his junior’s sudden words, Detective Ma Beom-il of the Seoul Violent Crimes Unit 2 was exasperated. Despite knowing how busy they were with the current case, his junior was making jokes… He was about to smack him on the head.

“The National Intelligence Service just detected an illegal device name. What was it called? MEIMEI-2X?”

The moment the capsule device name left his junior’s lips, Detective Ma’s expression suddenly darkened.

“Are you sure about that?”

“Absolutely certain. The information came directly from Riot, so it’s reliable. They’ll soon send us the serial number and ICEI number, which should make location tracking possible.”

“Riot? Isn’t that a game company? Myungseok… use your brain for once.”

Finally, Ma Beom-il rolled up a magazine and lightly tapped his junior on the head.

“It’s probably just some deadbeat who found an illegal capsule somewhere and got caught gaming. At best, he might be a low-level Walpurgis operative.”

“So you’re not going, Detective Ma? I’ve already arranged for a car.”

“Go without me. I’m busy enough with this.”

“Come on, they could actually be victims. According to the informant, someone trapped in the capsule has been sending SOS signals for years without being able to speak…”

“What? Why didn’t you say that earlier?”

The inability to speak was the critical point.

A capsule with deliberately damaged language modules.

Detective Ma Beom-il had been haunted by the fact that during the UN-led operation to eliminate the Korean branch of the terrorist organization Walpurgis seven years ago, not a single survivor had been properly rescued.

There must have been many hostages.

But everyone he found was either dead or still trapped somewhere. Until they became nothing but bones.

He suspected that despite Korea’s renowned public safety, the high number of missing persons was due to Walpurgis.

The year after Walpurgis was eradicated from Korea, the annual number of missing children dropped to zero, which said it all.

Though it seemed far-fetched that someone trapped in a capsule for seven years could still be alive.

“Drive faster.”

“If I go any faster, we’ll get a ticket. Just trust the autonomous driving, you’re so impatient.”

An ambulance had arrived at the scene almost simultaneously.

“This really is the middle of nowhere.”

Unlike before, no counter-terrorism units were deployed this time. The judgment was that operatives wouldn’t be in such a remote location. A reasonable assessment.

It made sense that a capsule hidden in such a place would be difficult to find.

The area was at the edge of a zone that had been designated for redevelopment but suddenly had the decision reversed, and now there wasn’t a soul to be found.

A humble rural house, over 100 years old, stood lonely guard.

“Is this really the place?”

“Strange… the navigation definitely says it’s here…”

The paramedics were waiting for his instructions.

“Why ask? Let’s go. Everyone come with us, since we’re already here. Myungseok, turn on your flashlight.”

“Sigh, it’s ridiculous that we still have to use flashlights instead of light magic just to save on taxes…”

“Just lead the way, will you?”

“Yes, yes.”

Two detectives in front and six paramedics behind entered the cramped house.

At 1 AM, owl hoots echoed through the corridor, seeming louder in the small house.

“Why is such a small house so complex in structure?”

“Feels like something’s going to jump out at us.”

“Aren’t you a bit old to be scared of such things?”

“These days, people are scarier than ghosts.”

They searched the living room, kitchen, and master bedroom in order.

In the smallest room at the very back of the narrow house, they discovered two massive capsules filling the entire space.

“Hmm… they’re really here… looks like there are people inside? Damn, I just had black bean noodles and now I feel sick.”

“Stop talking nonsense and help out. This won’t open by hand. It’s completely busted.”

The massive crowbar they brought for such situations, wielded by three grown men, pried between the capsules.

A series of cracking sounds followed as something broke. Air hissed through the gap due to the pressure difference between inside and outside.

“This isn’t working. [1st Circle Emergency Casting: Light].”

“Sir, emergency casting is expensive.”

“It’s my money anyway.”

The room brightened. Everything became clearly visible—the haggard faces of the paramedics and Myungseok’s somewhat dumbfounded expression.

Clank.

The capsule door finally gave way under the crowbar’s force.

Even faster was Myungseok’s footwork.

“Aaaah! A g-ghost!”

“Can’t you stay still for once?”

Detective Ma grabbed him by the neck and slammed him to the floor. Meanwhile, the paramedics professionally examined the woman inside the capsule.

“Completely deceased. Estimated time of death is seven years ago.”

“But sir, the body shows no signs of decay?”

“Well, we’re not exactly sure about the details…”

“Aaaaaaah!”

“What now, Myungseok?”

“There’s… there’s a sound from this capsule!”

Having barely calmed his startled heart while leaning against the other capsule, Myungseok jumped in surprise again. Perhaps due to his veteran detective’s instinct, Beom-il immediately instructed the paramedics:

“Leave that woman for now and let’s open this one quickly.”

Without objection, the paramedics picked up the crowbar again.

The difference this time was that Detective Ma himself took the lead position on the crowbar.

The capsule opened with less effort than before.

Though the light magic was about to expire, everyone’s attention was focused on the girl in the second capsule.

“Holy shit.”

Inside was a girl with a frame far too small for the capsule’s target size,

with a pale complexion,

barely clinging to life.

* * *

My eyes open.

Seven years.

It took a whole seven years.

To see this damn world I was reborn into.

People are urging me to do something.

But I don’t care.

I need to see.

Mom.

I tried to sit up, but the world spun. Or was it my head spinning?

Two kind men held me up by my armpits. Thank you.

Mom, are you alive?

Seol-ah’s figure, previously hidden by the capsule, comes into view.

She looked truly peaceful.

So Seol-ah really did die six years ago.

But because of that thin thread of hope, I always forcibly administered half of my mana potions to Seol-ah.

Perhaps that’s why Seol-ah looked surprisingly vibrant for someone who had passed away six years ago. Though those eyes would never open again.

Seol-ah was this thin.

So different from her virtual reality avatar.

How much must she have suffered.

I’m alive like this.

Thanks to you, Mom.

* * *

“How did it go? Did they find them?”

“It’s no longer your concern. I have nothing more to tell you.”

“But!”

“And Semin, I heard from your mother that you’ve been obsessed with games lately? I don’t intend to interfere now that you’re an adult, but everything should be done in moderation.”

“…Yes.”

“I hear your exams are coming up soon. Unlike other students, you’ve already completed your military service, so you’ll need to work twice as hard to catch up.”

“Yes.”

This is why he hadn’t wanted to ask for help. Cheon Se-min stuck his tongue out at the back of his father, Prosecutor Cheon Jeong-ho.

‘It’s not like I went to the military to take a break. I went because the country required it. He should know that as a veteran himself.’

He felt suffocated in this household. All he could do was endure quietly until he could move out.

[Kim Ye-eun: Any news?]

[Cheon Se-min: Nothing. He has no intention of telling me anything.]

Se-min’s instincts told him something had definitely happened. The clear evidence was that NoName had been in offline mode for several hours.

“Sigh, what am I doing? I should be studying.”

Despite his words, Se-min’s attention remained completely focused on NoName.

Finally, Se-min resorted to his last option.

[Detective Ma Beom-il – Connecting]

The person his father had been talking to outside. Se-min had memorized the number and was now calling it.

[Hello?]

[Hello! Is this Detective Ma Beom-il?]

[Yes, that’s me. Who is this…?]

[Ah, I’m… Prosecutor Cheon Jeong-ho’s son. I’m also the initial informant for this case.]

[Just a moment.]

After an awkward pause, the voice returned.

[So, what can I do for the prosecutor’s son?]

[I was wondering if the rescue was completed successfully…]

[It’s complicated. Hmm… this is confidential information that shouldn’t be discussed over the phone, but if you’re really curious, come to Asan OO Hospital.]

[Yes! Can I leave right away?]

[As you wish.]