722 Episode 27 Recycling Center (5)

Throughout the rounds of 'Ways of Survival', Yoo Jonghyuk lost his memory several times.

At the edge of the 800th round, he met an outer deity belonging to the 'Great Ancient One' and his spirit collapsed.

Around the 1150th round, he was caught up in the giant nebula's 'regressor dissection plan' and became a test subject for the nebula for a while.

Sometimes, like when 'Mad Soldier Yoo Jonghyuk' was born through a wrong transfusion of Lee Hyunsung’s military stories, not only did he lose his memory, but his personality itself completely changed.

But has he ever become as small as he is now?

At least it doesn't appear in the 'Ways of Survival' that I remember. Of course, it appears once in 'Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint'…

Watching Yoo Jonghyuk move his small hands to put on his battle boots, I had a really strange feeling.

Should we really recognize that creature as Yoo Jonghyuk?

Is there something going wrong in this world?

"You’re a really good runner."

One by one, the incarnations who had completed acquiring their respective prizes gathered by my side.

"It was an amazing response. I never thought you would use stories in such a way... It would be nice if we could work in the same area at the center."

"Which district will you choose? Why not join us?"

"I’m holding the 'pig' side of the line. If you join me, I can connect you to that side too…"

Same area. Apparently, the 'Recycling Center' is divided into sections.

Also.

I answered, asking for understanding from the gathered incarnations.

"I’m sorry, but I don’t have any plans to choose a specific faction yet."

Of course, it would be nice to get on the line. But now was not the time to make that decision.

Some of the incarnations looked disappointed at my answer, while others frowned and swore.

Bicheonhori, who was watching the scene from the side, nodded his head. He didn't show any signs of being angry or disappointed with my choice.

"Good. Choosing nothing is also a choice."

"Nowadays, such choices have become commonplace."

"Oh."

Bicheonhori must have thought what I said was interesting, so he took out a notebook and started writing down something.

"You said your name was 'Kim Dokja', right?"

"Yes."

Come to think of it, he was the person who wrote the famous book on characters, "The 100 Strongest People".

Bicheonhori must have noticed my gaze and made an answer.

"Oh, because records are my hobby."

Is it okay?

What would happen if 'Kim Dokja’ was listed as one the 'Strongest 100 People'? I guess that means the future will be transformed too seriously.

"Hmm. I guess this is what happens this time…"

This time?

Bicheonhori muttered something meaningful and smiled slightly as he looked at me.

"I hope we get a chance to meet again, young man."

Did something just change in his tone of voice?

With those last words, Bicheonhori chose his 'zone' and disappeared into the recycling center.

I felt a little disappointed, but I didn't really care. Since we were destined to go to the same 'Recycling Center' anyway, there would be another opportunity to talk, as he said.

I checked the ‘zone selection message’ that appeared before my eyes.

As previously explained, the 'lower level' of the Recycling Center is the area of the nebula zodiac.

There were twelve zones according to the tendencies of each zodiac sign, and incarnations could choose the zone they wanted.

From the rat that belongs to 'Ja' to the pig that belongs to 'hae'.

If I were Dansu ahjussi or Sein-ssi, which one would I have chosen?

Looking at the results, little Yoo Jonghyuk was also staring at the options with serious eyes.

"Which one will you choose?"

"It’s none of your business."

Of course you would say this.

The One Who Won the Rat.

Judging by the modifier, that constellation was the constellation corresponding to 'cow' in the zodiac.

Considering that I came in second place in the zodiac race and that one of the constellations that sponsored me in the beginning was the 'original cow', it wasn't a bad idea to choose 'Chuk-dong', which corresponds to 'cow'.

Zone 11, Sul-dong, represented by 'dog', was also worth considering. 'The dog that threw itself into the flames' is the only constellation that took Kim Dokja’s side even in the main story. Maybe this is the time to build a relationship.

Nail-Eating Rat.

Were you watching too?

If I was conscious of the 'Zodiac Race', it was also a good idea to select Zone 1, where the winner of the story, the 'Rat', belongs.

However, on the 'rat' and 'snake' side, there are constellations of the Five Dogs Association.

If you want to catch a tiger, you have to go into the tiger's den. One way would be to choose their base...

Tiger.

Come to think of it, I had forgotten about the 'Tiger Who Eats Rice Cake'.

Considering my promise to him, Zone 3 'In-dong' was a good choice. The 'Tiger Who Eats Rice Cake' has helped me and shown me favor at times.

It's strange that the indirect message of 'Tiger Who Eats Rice Cake' is not heard at all, but...

In addition, I could also choose 'Zone 5 - Jin-dong', represented by the dragon, or 'Zone 9- Shin-dong', represented by the monkey.

My worries didn't last long.

Because now I am 'Kim Dokja'. And what Kim Dokja will say in the face of this choice is decided.

"I will not choose any district."

"I will not choose any district."

If Ji Eunyu were next to me, she would have said, "Writer, the lines here have been copied."

But I didn't say it twice.

"You there ."

Those words were just said by the little boy next to me, Yoo Jonghyuk.

"Don’t copy me."

I shrugged my shoulders without answering.

Afterwards, indirect messages flew in one after another from thin air.

Several people who confirmed my choice also voiced concerns.

"Are you serious? This friend is out of his mind."

"Hehe, you didn’t choose the Chinese zodiac signs? That’s ridiculous—"

I know it's a risky choice.

However, if you choose a certain zodiac sign, you will eventually fall under the constellation to which that zodiac sign belongs.

I don't want that situation. The 'Demon King of Salvation' must have had the same thought.

Little Yoo Jonghyuk and I nodded at the same time. Afterwards, a halo of light came down from the air and embraced us warmly.

Zone 13, huh.

As expected, there was an option not to choose a 'zodiac sign'.

What unfolded before my eyes along with the warp was a city with flashing neon signs. The buildings are somehow reminiscent of the Earth of the near future. The lights of a skyscraper flashing in the distance.

No matter how you look at it, it was a scene that was somewhat far from the world view of the 'Zodiac'.

This is Zone 13?

The title of the main scenario was also changed. However, key details such as clear conditions and rewards were still not revealed.

We have to find out for ourselves.

It is an event scenario that occurs every night.

This feels a bit like déjà vu.

As I lightly scanned the street, I saw incarnations glancing at us.

Most of them were beasts.

A giraffe with one leg replaced by a machine. An elephant with broken tusks. A lion with all its fur removed and one eye missing.

Looking closely, I saw that it wasn't just the prisoners. Other races with animal origins, such as orcs and gnomes, were also seen.

What they have in common is that they are also equipped with mechanical arms or mechanical legs.

It was a worldview reminiscent of cyberpunk.

Still, there was a good beginner's guide.

One hour isn't that much time. I need to hurry up a bit.

I glanced at little Yoo Jonghyuk and started walking away, leaving him behind.

I felt someone following me a few steps away.

After walking about twenty steps, I deliberately stopped. Then the sound of following footsteps disappeared.

As I started walking again, the sound of hesitant footsteps followed.

I grinned and looked back.

"Why are you following me?"

Little Yoo Jonghyuk, startled, froze in place.

"Because I’m suspicious of you."

This was little Yoo Jonghyuk, who followed me eagerly, dragging his big boots.

If the Demon King of Salvation had heard this, he would never have believed it.

"Tie your shoelaces properly."

"It’s tied up."

The shoelaces were tied in a mess.

"Do you know that there is a special option for those shoes?"

"Special options?"

"How much did you forget?"

Would I have felt this way if I had a younger sibling?

If I had a younger sibling, I thought it would be a good kid like Yoosoung.

I bowed lightly. Little Yoo Jonghyuk took a step back as if on guard, but my hands were faster.

"This is how we tie it."

'Noble Man's Battle Boots' activates special options when the shoelaces are tightened and tied in a specific way.

The basics of Yoo Jonghyuk, these battle boots had 'solid durability' and 'resistance to various properties'.

In addition, as an auxiliary option, 'phenomenal elasticity' can be activated, and the size can be adjusted comprehensively to the extent that it can handle Yoo Jonghyuk, who activated 'Geoshinhwa'.

Little Yoo Jonghyuk asked, looking down at the battle boots that had been tightened to fit his feet.

"You, how do you know this?"

"Are you surprised that I know how to tie my shoelaces?"

"…"

"I want to ask you how you don’t know any of this."

"Is my name 'Yoo Jonghyuk'?"

I quietly looked into the eyes of little Yoo Jonghyuk.

According to my guess, the reason why Yoo Jonghyuk lost his memory was due to the side effects of 'Story Imprint'.

I don’t know, but it’s probably because of 'restraint of truth' or 'restraint of emotions'.

Even looking back, it was strange that Yoo Jonghyuk's combat power, when he became the 'Black Beast', did not suffer the aftereffects of probability.

"Yes. You are a dirt eater."

"I don’t eat dirt."

"Once you try it, you might change your mind."

"Do you want to die?"

"If you kill me, you will never know who you are."

Little Yoo Jonghyuk thought about something for a moment, then frowned and asked.

"What is your name?"

"It is Kim Dokja."

"That’s a strange name."

"I’m sick of hearing things like that."

Even though we didn't really talk, I somehow felt nostalgic.

"What else do you know about me?"

"Before that, what do you remember?"

"Ten days."

"Ten days?"

"After ten days, most of my memories will return."

Ten days. That's enough time.

"And that we have to find the stolen equipment."

"When was the equipment taken away?"

"I don’t know. It was like this when I woke up."

I think he lost it while climbing up the 'Star Ladder'.

Considering that battle boots were released as a product from the 'Recycling Center', key items such as 'Infinite Dimension Subspace Coat' and 'Wolgeuk' could have been in a similar situation.

Even if nothing else was known, 'Wolgeuk' had to be recovered. That's Yoo Jonghyuk's key weapon in the 41st round.

"And..."

"And?"

"I have to meet a guy named Cheon Inho."

I paused for a moment.

"Why him?"

"I don’t know. I just remember that I have to meet that bastard. When I meet that bastard—"

I quietly grabbed the dirt from the floor. If this little guy remembered anything, I was going to throw dirt in his mouth and Run away.

"I thought I could last at least ten days before I recovered my memory."

I was dazed for a moment and then looked down at the dirt in my hands. When I opened my tightly clenched fist, dirt flowed down.

I felt fortunate that I was still wearing the mask.

"I will accompany you for about ten days. I will help you not die."

"What are you planning?"

I said, holding out my right hand covered in dirt.

"There are conditions."

Yoo Jonghyuk nodded as if he knew that would happen.

"Say it."

"You can’t kill me after ten days."

Little Yoo Jonghyuk looked up at me with an expression that he didn't know what that meant, and he held out his clean right hand.

"I don’t kill people for no reason."

"Yes, of course you won’t."

Our 'survival contract' was concluded.

And an hour later, little Yoo Jonghyuk spoke.

"I will definitely kill you, Kim Dokja."