Young and Rich #2

 

“2 seconds ago”

The necklace that was tightening around my neck began to turn red.

The “Ancient Magic Binding Device” is, in a word, like an elaborate time bomb.

The principle is simple.

After setting certain conditions, it will not explode when the conditions are met.

This is such a horrible necklace, I’d love to take it off right now—

It’s not easy.

The “Ancient Magic Binding Device” restrains the body and hinders the use of magical energy. Furthermore, it is so strong that it can withstand even the slightest impact.

It serves as both an inescapable prison and an execution device.

In other words, I’m fucked.

“1 second ago”

But I have one expectation.

Usually, when you watch movies or dramas, you often see these time bombs.

But there’s no guarantee that it will explode.

The rule is to stop with about a second left to create a sense of urgency—

—Kwakwang!

***

My body is sinking into the dark, deep water.

The “Ancient Magic Binding Device” worked perfectly, without a single error.

Because he’s like a cold machine that doesn’t care about national rules.

I guess I’m dead.

The afterlife. If such a thing really exists, I think this is where I am.

The bright light hanging over the water gradually fades away.

At the bottom where I will soon reach, a pitch-black abyss gapes open.

Suddenly, that thought occurs to me.

What was my life?

Treated like a slave to the company, after work, I stay up all night playing games.

Then I got into the game and died without even knowing what was going on.

This is a life that is not even funny.

Regrets are creeping in.

If I had known this would happen⋯

‘I should have played harder and died before seeing the hidden ending.’

The abyss has grown ever closer.

Slowly but surely, I am moving towards the extinction of my existence.

⋯If I just leave my body like this, will everything be over?

That was the time.

「Characteristic: Can activate the effect of immortality.」

My body, which had been sinking like sagging seaweed, began to emit a blue light.

Oh, right. There was this.

This makes things a little different.

‘I don’t want to die.’

“Nine Stars” is the world I know best.

It’s like my home ground, so why do I have to die?

I’m confident I can do better than anyone else.

Shit, not yet.

I don’t want to die!

I opened my eyes wide.

I straightened my sinking body and desperately waved my hands and feet.

Let’s go up again, towards the light.

***

“Characteristic: Resurrected with the effect of immortality.”

“As a result of immortality, some of your abilities will be permanently lost.”

“However, since it has already reached the minimum, the ability value will not decrease any further.”

A message I had seen once flowed into my head again.

“Ah …

The first thing that greeted me in this world was the intense pain that swept through my entire body.

A groan escaped my lips in excruciating pain.

My whole body aches as if I’ve been mercilessly beaten by a professional boxer—

First, I looked at my body.

The situation is the same as before.

Chains bound the limbs. A silver necklace hung from the neck.

“Lifeform response confirmed. Automatic removal protocol will be executed shortly.”

“5 seconds before execution”

The countdown resumes immediately upon resurrection.

This crappy thing doesn’t even break down.

No, I don’t have the luxury of being angry.

What needs to be done now is clear.

I must use all the knowledge and wisdom I’ve accumulated while playing “Nine Stars” to escape from here.

Don’t be afraid. I can do it.

Because I understand this game better than anyone else.

Okay, let’s begin.

4 seconds ago

If there’s one thing you need to do first.

“Status window.”

I tried saying it out loud.

Nothing happened.

“3 seconds ago”

“Status Open.”

“Confirming information.”

“2 seconds ago”

No, first you need to check the status window.

First, I need to know what abilities I have and what I can utilize them for.

But how do I check? In a game, it’s as simple as pressing a single keyboard button, but I don’t know how to do it here.

if?

Suddenly, that thought occurred to me.

Maybe it’s not something that can be said in words.

I closed my eyes and concentrated, gathering my will.

Then—

Estelle Frostwind

Stamina—4 Horsepower—14

Body Comprehensive – 4

Magic Comprehensive – 4

Summary of Faith—4

Alignment—Neutral

Trait— Immortality

Skill— None 」

“…Frostwind?”

I muttered without realizing it.

That’s what it was.

Why didn’t I notice that I had the trait “Immortal”?

So, that means I’m now possessing Richie’s body—

“1 second ago”

—Kwakwang!

⋯

⋯

⋯

No, over there.

I was looking at the status screen. I need to give you some time to think.

Did it have to be cut off like a knife without any sense of shame?

I asked if there was any service time like in a karaoke room.

Anyway, I died and came back to life again.

“Lifeform response confirmed. Automatic removal protocol will be executed shortly.”

“5 seconds before execution”

I’m going to go back.

I think I’m going crazy.

I’m not just saying this, I really think your head will turn out that way.

Even if you are resurrected, the biggest problem is that the physical body is restored, but the mental damage remains.

I said I was really worried about it.

Why am I putting myself through this? Wouldn’t it be easier if I just gave up? I want to sink to the dark bottom of the ocean and find peace.

If I don’t break this crazy cycle of dying and reviving every five seconds, my mind will surely collapse first.

Hey, stop it⋯!

If you keep killing me like that… I’m going to go crazy!

‘crazy.’

What was that monologue just now?

It was a bit dangerous.

What am I thinking? I might already be going halfway crazy.

“4 seconds before execution”

‘Wake up.’

I steel myself and try to think of a way to release the “Ancient Magic Binding Device.”

This bloody seal is, as I said, filthy strong.

But that doesn’t mean there’s no way out. I’m an expert at this game, so I’m sure I know how to escape.

Method one is to use magic to remove it.

This method is possible when the skills of “Magic Engineering” and “Magic Control” are both at Advanced Level 5 or higher.

‘But I saw earlier that I don’t have any skills.’

There’s no other way. This method is a pass.

Second, mechanical dismantling using lock picking technology.

When the “Trap Dismantle” skill reaches its maximum level, even if one’s limbs are tied up, one can use one’s tongue or a strand of hair to poke holes in the restraints.

This… honestly, there’s no way it’s possible. No character other than the Thief King Akasha could possibly wield such a martial arts-esque technique.

“3 seconds before execution”

In the end, I was left with only one choice.

I guess I’ll have to resort to the last resort.

I moved my body, recalling the knowledge stored in my head.

First, shake the chain on your left arm.

Next, shake your right arm. Then your left arm. Then your left leg. Then your right arm. Finally, shake your neck.

Be careful about the exact order. If you’re even slightly off, the necklace will explode.

Crackle, crackle—

Then a new message emerged.

“Request to disable automatic removal protocol received”

“Please enter the unlock code.”

It was good.

The knowledge I have is helpful.

Feeling confident, I shook the chains again in a specific order.

“Request for hints in case you don’t remember the unlock code.”

“Here’s a hint.”

“I am happy.

I am happy.

I am happy.

_ _ _ Because, I am happy.」

“The unlock code is _ _ _.”

“Protocol progression will be suspended for 30 seconds until the unlock code is entered.”

Gulp.

After swallowing once, I said the unlock code.

***

My frail body, freed from the chains, was roughly thrown onto the cold ground.

liberation.

I rubbed my aching limbs.

I never knew that being free would be such a happy thing.

‘Anyway, this makes it clear.’

The final method of unlocking the device is for one person only.

That’s right, the one who trapped me using the device.

Only he knows the unlock code, so the meaning of the hint is also something only he can understand.

But⋯

‘But I knew the unlock code, too.’

By the way, the unlock code was “Eagle”.

The hint, which seems like a difficult poem, is actually the cheering song of the baseball team you usually root for. It’s a hint that the NPCs in this game would never use.

So, to put all this information together—

‘The one who locked me up was that bastard Michael.’

Michael, the player character I was controlling.

That bastard is the one who used the device to bind Richie.

It was absurd.

The creation that I created and raised has the audacity to trap and bully me, its creator.

I still can’t figure out what kind of flow led to this situation.

Anyway, it happened.

What’s important to me now isn’t ‘why did this happen?’

‘So what are you going to do?’

Ask yourself.

What are you going to do?

⋯Isn’t the answer obvious?

‘With this situation, I have no choice but to clear ‘Nine Stars’ with Richie.’

Frankly, the conditions are very unfavorable.

While Michael is in a state where I have poured my heart and soul into training him, as you can see, I am in a terrible state.

His abilities have fallen to rock bottom, and all his skills and magic have disappeared.

If we use a running analogy, I haven’t even arrived at the stadium yet, but Michael is right at the finish line.

However, it would be a mistake to think that I would give up easily.

‘Let’s see who wins.’

I barely managed to get up from my seat, leaning against the wall.

Just standing there made my legs tremble like a newborn fawn.

⋯What a rotten body.

The limbs are uselessly thin and white, as if they have never seen sunlight.

I have to somehow raise this poor girl and conquer the game…

Let’s get out of the room first.

The moment I made up my mind and took a step forward, my knees gave way.

Oh shit, really.

Estelle, can’t she even walk?

I have no strength in my legs at all.

“Warning: Your hunger level has dropped below 1%. Eat immediately to avoid starvation.”

“Warning: Your thirst meter has dropped below 1%. Drink water immediately to avoid dying from thirst.”

⋯Somehow.

I had no strength left in my body.

Hey, someone give me some food.