Chapter.7 Masquerade Ball (13)
***
The professor took out a small pair of shoes from the box.
Blue and white sneakers. From the robot drawing to the small, worn-out spots, the sneakers were exactly the same as the ones the boy in my memory was wearing.
“It’s very well made.”
“Because it is the last bastion against the monster unleashed in the dome’s courtyard. I connected the crew members who had seen his last memories to GG and used a magic scroll to project memories to extract the memories conveyed by Old Picture into video. “It’s a key that is treated as a strategic weapon, so it’s natural to make it properly.”
[Oooooh…. Uhh…. Ahhh….]
The body surrounded by various shoes flowed down, and the main body of the old picture hidden inside was revealed. An adult male with terrible burns, just as he last looked in his memory.
“It’s been a while since I last saw you. “Is this the first time I’ve seen him in person since the last play?”
“It’s hard to think of this as the main body. In a way, its three forms are all created based on memories.”
A pile of shoes that usually carries a doll. A half-body giant when it went berserk. And the last appearance of Kim Do-jin, who is now revealed to be ugly and melting. There are many Type 3 variants that change their form depending on their abilities, but they do not change their appearance that dramatically. Because the host’s last memory, the way it looked at itself at the moment of death, could not have been so diverse.
There was one reason why Old Picture became such an unstable Type 3 variant.
“Autism caused by shock… should I say it? “Because Kim Do-jin’s memory was fragmented at the last moment.”
A fact that was clearly confirmed with my own eyes. Death of son and wife.
Kim Do-jin’s mind, broken by shock, consists of a self that denies and rejects reality, a self that wants to escape from reality and live in a delusion, and a self that stopped at the moment he cried while holding his son’s severed wrist and foot that day. It was divided into three.
Three memories coexisting in one moment. This was the reason why the old picture took on such an unstable form. Nevertheless, the reason why it exists as one entity is because although the way the divided ego accepts the situation is different, the goal and deep-down desire is unmistakably the same.
Chick, whistling –
woowoo –
In the bitter silence, only the sound of Ian’s lighter rang out calmly.
“This is why I hate talking about the past. “The old stories you hear in the wasteland are most likely sad or cruel.”
Ian said as he looked at Kim Do-jin, the third figure from the old picture, who was struggling to get up from the concrete floor, looking almost like a corpse.
“I thought he was a monster, but he was just a crazy father. “It’s like what you often see in refugee camps.”
“yes. That’s why he has been settling here and emitting the same mental waves for several years.”
[Ahhhh…. Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ever…..]
The memories are vaguely digging into my head even as they get weaker. A small boy smiling brightly while holding his father’s hand, and the child’s shoes highlighted as if zoomed in amidst the crackling noise.
[Errrrrrrr…. Errrrrrrrrr…. Ugh…. s…. siiiiii….n…. baaaa….]
With a body full of fluid and pus An old picture of the group crawling in front of the group and holding up the shoes they were holding in their arms like treasures.
“Hepburn. Couldn’t it be that…”
“Yes. That’s it. ‘Please find my son. It looks like this, is about as tall as me, and is wearing the same blue shoes I’m holding in my hand. help’. The last memory of Mr. Kim Do-jin, whose lungs were burned. “Even if you repeat denial after denial, the moment you reach the critical point where you died, it comes back to life and throws you from a happy dream to reality.”
The monster’s mental waves that echoed through Area 47 for several years were neither hostile nor friendly, just the cry of a father who had lost his voice looking for his son.
“older brother. That was the Old Picture plan from the beginning, right? It’s not a street built to calm him down…” “
…Okay. The idea was to make the memory of the monster searching for his delusional shoes seem real. Before building the model garden, Old Picture spent most of his time walking around looking like a giant. Originally, the executive branch rushed in assuming that they would naturally kill him and get rid of him, but after seeing his memories during the battle, the person who participated in the operation at the time and is now the president seems to have had a different opinion. The guy’s goal was clearly revealed. “I heard that he thought he could control Old Picture after seeing his unusual behavior of picking up old shoes from time to time and his lack of aggression, regardless of his power.”
“also. Then, if we had just left him alone, he would have….”
“Wouldn’t he have recognized one side of the memory as reality at some point? If it’s the first time, it’s probably about accepting the reality that your son is dead. However, since the large one based on real-life trauma cannot be controlled, the dome decided to strengthen the delusional memory. Well, the results are proven by the peaceful District 47 so far. They create a street and show people from the old days walking by as if nothing is happening, and give a really human-looking mannequin to a guy who wants to see a family of three walking down the street just as they remember. what. “What’s wrong with your facial expressions?”
“Director Mong, doesn’t that… seem like a bit of trash?”
“I know. I can’t do it, so I eat it up. ‘Where is my son?’ I couldn’t tell the poor kid’s father the reality, but I said, ‘If you look carefully, you’ll find it around here.’ “I guess someone isn’t a dom bastard.”
Ezel and Ian react a little emotionally, perhaps because they are affected by the current situation. However, unlike them, the professor was able to understand the position of the inspection department to some extent.
“Is there anything else? Although I hate Dom, I honestly think that the decision to deceive Old Picture at that time ultimately saved more people. One man is already dead and has become a monster, and the security rate in District 47 has risen. There is no need to explain which is more important from the perspective of those in power.”
The so-called ‘great cause’ is a sacrifice for the greater good. It was definitely a great choice that fits the current reality, but…
‘What a fucking great choice.’
The professor has always hated that kind of sophistry. Even the people who injected their mother with poison would have made that kind of excuse.
‘If that guy kills more enemies by putting a leash on the Dome, he will contribute to the peace of the Dome and save many people, so this is the right thing to do…’
What kind of bullshit is this? In a world where the distinction between good and evil is already complicated, if we turn things around like that, we wonder where there is anything other than good will in the world.
If you do something and cause pain to someone else, that’s bad. The professor’s theory was that even if one does not feel remorse, one should at least be aware that what one is doing is a bad thing.
And from his perspective, what Dom had done to Old Picture was a very bad thing. Until now, he had just passed it on because it would benefit him, but…
“Let’s release it now. “This guy has been working hard for District 47 day and night.”
Still, it was a bit uncomfortable every time I passed nearby.
The opposite shoe, which looked exactly like the one he was holding, was placed in the man’s flowing hand.
[…..]
Cheers and cries. There was no sound whatsoever. All I could do was stop the endless moaning and look at the pair of blue sneakers that had now become a pair with eyes like those of a blind man seeing the world for the first time.
Old Picture Do-jin Kim held his son’s shoes, which he had been longing for for so long, in his arms and walked towards the mannequins scattered on the floor with slow but clear steps.
The long-held sneakers and new sneakers are placed on the feet of a mannequin made to match the height and shape of the son in memory.
Finally, the one thing I have been longing for for so many years. Old Picture completed the image of himself holding his wife’s hand and the hand of his son who had retrieved the shoe, and took a step forward.
The mannequin of his wife and son, who was only holding his hand, falls down helplessly. If even the flowing flesh has an expression, then the old picture has a sad, relieved, and sorrowful expression. It falls apart helplessly.
Sweet!
Slowly!
Clap!
Three dolls that fall down looking at the setting sun, as if they had made a promise.
Like ash fluttering in the wind, the melted body of Old Picture began to break into small pieces and disappear. With the mannequin of his son and wife embraced in his arms.
Although it was an urgent situation, the group could not take their eyes off the majestic and vain scene.
“…Those happy blind religious people who live in District 38 don’t call type 3 mutants mutants.”
“Keuhum hmmm! “Then what should we call it?”
“A ghost.”
“That’s a fitting name.”
Kim Do-jin’s body hugging the mannequin, the giant who cried out in the memory of reality, and the flesh connected to the countless shoes that walked in the delusion all turned into ashes and disappeared.
After the wind blew once, all that was left in the place were the shoes left behind and the adult male-sized mannequin that had played the role of Kim Do-jin.
“The type 3 variant is a creature that lives to complete the scene that the host had hoped for in the final moments of memory. “Old Picture: The moment the scene that Kim Do-jin so desperately wanted at the end of his life was completed, wouldn’t it be that everything created based on that memory collapsed and disappeared?”
“It’s probably because this guy is a bit unusual. Because other Type 3 mutants created their bodies based on completed memories. Researchers from the administration said that in the case of Old Picture, the body was created based on unstable memories, so the moment the memory’s goal is completed, the virus that has lost its goal will leave in search of a new host. Because Old Picture only created a body based on past memories, it did not even create consciousness. “I think that’s why it disappeared like that.”
“Hey brother. It hasn’t completely disappeared. “There you go.”
“hmm? what? “I can’t see anything?”
“I guess the manager from the dome doesn’t look nice because he’s not alive. Can I see it too? Stir. “The three of us are going back holding hands.”
“Hmm! joy! Damn it! I guess ash got into my eyes. “Because my eyes are sore…. Boom!”
“Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck! Goodbye, goodbye! Baby dad! “You had a hard time… uh!”
The professor and Ezel Ralph prayed for a moment of silence for Old Picture to find its way safely. As a person living in a wasteland, you never know when the image of the man who collapsed in the tragedy will become your own image. It didn’t seem like anyone else’s business.
***
“….ruler! Finished! “Let’s move right away!”
“okay. There’s no time for sentimentality. “In the first place, we liberated Old Picture to avoid leaving any danger to the rear, but if we are late for the battle, our original message has been reversed.”
Sad is sad and busy is busy. If you cry now and it’s too late, there will be more things to be sad about in the future.
“Huh, does anyone have any tissues?”
“Just loosen it in your hand, shake it off, and wipe it off. “Let’s not waste time and move quickly.”
Damn it!
“Professor Park, you heartless bastard….”
“You’re too sensitive, Ezel.”
The professor slaps his old Internet friend on the back of the head! After hitting him, he turned his attention to the rest of the group.
“Someone give me some water. Water. “What got in my eye couldn’t come out. -Heung!- I kept crying…”
Oh my. It’s worse here. It’s pouring out water as if a faucet was turned on.
“Ian, you too, you idiot. Unlike how it looks, there are a lot of tears… “Is it menopause?”
“Ike, you should get married and have children, Ija-sik!” Anyone who has had children can’t help but cry when they see something like that! “It doesn’t feel like anyone else’s business!”
Ian shouts, wiping away his tears with the sleeve of his military uniform. The moment the professor paused at those words, which were meaningful enough to just pass over, he said,
“Was there…? Joe, are you…”
“Hey Bex!”
“…Oops!”
The Bex guy asked Ian back without notice.
Fortunately, Ian answered in a calm voice, perhaps because he was unimpressed or because he had put it together well.
“No, it’s okay. It was in the past, but whatever. I had a daughter and a wife. They’re all dead now, though. “We’ll talk about that later and just take it from both of you.”
Whisper –
percussion!
“This is…”
“Ak-47. He was one of the few intact ones that flew out when the truck exploded. “It’s just loaded with grenade spears, so let’s use it as soon as possible and then go capture it and use it.”
Ian said it was no big deal and handed the gun with scorch marks to the professor and Bex. Looking at this scene, Ralph Monclar, the head of the inspection department, asked the group a question with an absurd expression.
“wait for a sec. So you’re saying you’re going to participate in the war with the Raptors now? “With only one rifle that’s almost half destroyed?”
“Reminding me of something that was taken for granted. Monghyung, are you going to leave us here?”
“No, I don’t think there’s any need to do that. Old Picture has been cleared and the city’s defenses are operating normally, so as long as the Nest doesn’t move in its entirety and attack this place, we can sufficiently defend it on our own. BDSM was really good enough. Even if you don’t have to participate in the war, the dome will treat you with ease…”
“Oh my gosh, stop talking like shit and let’s go quickly. Why am I not upset? I’m already starting to feel upset. Isn’t it true that everyone knows that if nothing goes wrong, even a dozen raptors can be stopped by the Dome? Of course, if the Swarm Alpha-level king brings the royal guard with him-”
“Cough! ” Kehack!”
“-I don’t know, but those guys are too big to get involved in a surprise operation like this. “What’s wrong with Ian again?”
“I’m in a panic. “It’s not a big deal, so don’t worry about it.”
“…It’s strange. Anyway, all the raptor friends that are running so fast that their tires are on fire are like prey.”
“Hmm. So Professor Park, what you’re saying is… are you saying that since all the fish were caught, please include them in the distribution of the loot?”
“Isn’t our BDSM performance enough to get involved? If it weren’t for us, the members of the Inspection Department would have been risking their lives and fighting Old Picture by now, and if it weren’t for us, they wouldn’t have known that this was a conspiracy between the Enforcement Department and Raptor, and they would all have been beat up and killed. “Of course, we only give it to farmers, and we ask that they also recognize the right to loot during battle.”
Woowooung- bang!
The exosuit carrying the five people rises up.
“Professor, you guys… Where did that gloomy multi-talented killer from long ago go and become a businessman?”
“My brother has become a politician. “I’m going to sneak away somewhere.”
“It’s not like that, you idiot! It’s really because you’re afraid your people will get hurt! “If guys of your caliber join, we’ll be thankful, you idiot!”
Giiiiiiing-!
The exosuit’s battery supplied power, and the exterior of the machine began to come to life, along with the bluish shield.
“Yes, I like it! I’m an asshole for worrying about those guys who caught Type 3 mutants in a truckload. I’ll open the executive branch’s arsenal, so take what you need and come to the battlefield. “I’ll put it in for you.”
“Oooh! Dream type! That’s what I promised! “Whatever we take from there, it’s all ours!”
“….Please use common sense. “I’m on the verge of building a Great Wall of Chinese poetry just by looking at old pictures.”
The professor’s ears ignored other words. Permission was granted. Rather than a low-level civil servant like Ezel, he obtained the enormous right to ‘allow capture during battles against the Raptor Society’ from the head of the Inspection Department. okay! It’s like risking your life to catch a Type 3 mutant and save an entire city, so you should get this!
“Hehehehe. Hey Ian. Did you hear? “Now we can officially capture the Raptor vehicles that fell in front of the dome.”
“Hehehe. I heard. Don’t listen carefully with these two ears. It’s a Raptor vehicle in the Dome’s arsenal… Okay. “I invested my first asset, so it should be at that level to make a profit.”
“Kihihihi! Dom! A culmination of old-world civilizations and assets! This is a place that every scavenger wishes to visit at least once! “It’s war… There is no situation in the world as confusing as war… Even if one or two precious items go missing… Kihihi!”
Clang, clank, clank, clank!
“Um… Manager Mong? “Is this really okay?”
“what?”
“No, that’s it…”
Ezel couldn’t hide his anxiety as he looked at the professor and his gang riding behind him and smirking.
The Reedflow Magic Tower was completely robbed and there was nothing left, and the professor in the game was giggling while buried in the stolen items. For some reason, that image kept appearing in Ezel’s mind.
“Common sense… It’s a common sense line… Of course, brother, common sense is good… Hehehehe!”
‘I think you made a mistake…’
Ezel sighed, gauging the common sense of the people who destroyed the old picture with a truck and three people.
***
