DCRBG 12

Chapter 12

Just Run (1)

1.

「Why’s everyone talking so much? If you don’t like it, fight me Yacha-style.」
「If your body’s strong, your head doesn’t suffer.」
「Leech’s sauna. Fail.」
「Maybe their blood types didn’t match.」
「From the next stream, I’m just gonna drop the polite speech. Later, bro.」

“…Edited together like this, I really do look insane.”

A dark, dimly lit room.

Shin Tae-oh let out a small laugh as he watched the mash-up video he had made.
On the desk in front of him sat a half-eaten bowl of kimchi stew and a rice bowl with only three spoonfuls missing.

“Seriously looks like I’m out of my mind.”

He gazed at the man laughing confidently on the monitor.

Meteor, was it?

He had stumbled across this new streamer while browsing an internet forum that morning.
Since yesterday, the forums had been flooded with talk about him.

Tae-oh had been curious because of all the rumors, so he checked him out.

It was a short video for a replay—less than an hour long.
But it was the most shocking video he’d seen in a long time.

The Leech Labyrinth was notorious among first-floor dungeons.
Its structure was brutal, the boss monsters viciously tricky, and to make things worse, only first-floor players could enter.

And yet this guy called Meteor cleared it in a way no one had ever imagined.
He turned the trap-ridden left route into a sauna, and even the nasty boss went down to some unknown method.

Letting himself get drained of blood on purpose, then killing the monster?

“He’s not normal.”

No player would ever clear a dungeon like that.
What on earth was this man?

Now Tae-oh was curious.
Was it just a persona, or was he really like that?

“Could make some killer edits out of his clips… haah.”

It had been ages since he had enjoyed watching someone’s video this much.

He shut down his computer, lay down on his bed, and stared at the ceiling.
A faint shadow hung over the bland ceiling.

How many days had he spent in this cramped room?
He could leave anytime, but he didn’t have the courage to open that door.
He was scared to.

How did things end up like this?

“Tae-oh, Mom’s heading to work. I left food for you, so eat up, okay?”

His mother’s voice came from outside the door, but Tae-oh didn’t answer.

He was too sorry. Far too sorry to respond.

If only he hadn’t done those edits, if only he hadn’t gotten mixed up with that bastard.
Then his mom wouldn’t have to suffer like this.

‘I’m sorry.’

Even as a kid, and even now as an adult, he was like this.

Still lying in bed, he turned his head toward the monitor.
The video was frozen on Meteor, laughing carefreely in a storm of flames.

Someone who could stay calm even in that.
He must be living a life utterly different from Tae-oh’s.
Confident, unstoppable, righteous.

That made Tae-oh all the more curious. The video left a strange itch inside him.

‘Ah… what am I even…’

It had already been a year since he’d quit editing.
Even though it was the one thing he was good at, he hadn’t wanted to touch it.

But because of this Meteor guy, for the first time in forever, he wanted to edit again.
That’s why he had put together that mash-up video.

‘Didn’t he say he was close with In-seop hyung…?’

He recalled the name of the one person he’d relied on during his editing career.
A kind hyung who had helped him a lot when he was being sued for damages.

He had been the one to cut off contact first, too guilty to keep in touch.
But maybe if he asked about this Meteor person, the hyung would answer.

After a moment of hesitation, Tae-oh nodded slowly and picked up his phone.
Carefully, he made a call.

Brrr—

The ringing felt unbearably long, but soon, a familiar voice answered.

Whoa, who’s this? Tae-oh? Is it really you?
“H-hello, hyung.”
It’s been forever! How’ve you been? You should’ve called sooner! What’re you up to these days?
“Just… at home. Haha….”

As always, the hyung welcomed him warmly.
Even after six months with no contact, there was no awkwardness.

‘…Guess I can ask, right?’

Summoning up the last of his courage, Tae-oh asked carefully.

“I might be bothering you, but… hyung, are you close with Meteor?”

Seong-woo hyung? Super close. Back when we were both nobodies, we were like sworn brothers. He’s the real deal. Might look a little goofy, but he’s a good guy.
“I watched one of his replays… If he ever needs an editor… maybe I could….”

The words trailed off timidly, but on the other end came an urgent reply.

Wait, are you serious?
“Huh?”
No way. I’ll talk to him right now, just hang on! Wow, Shin Tae-oh actually said this? Even when I begged you, you wouldn’t.
“In-seop hyung?”
I’ll call you back real soon, okay? Just wait!

The call ended abruptly.

Tae-oh stared blankly at the monitor.

“…That was the right call, right?”

On screen, Meteor was still laughing boldly through the flames.

2.

In-seop called Seong-woo.

Hyung, you don’t have an editor, right?
“I was actually thinking of finding one. Why?”
I’ll set you up. There’s this younger guy I know, Tae-oh. He’s been through a lot, but his skills are insane. I’ll send you a link so you can check out one of his edits… damn it, I was planning to bring him on myself if he came back.
“He’s that good? Why’d someone like that come to a guy like me?”
My point exactly. Tch.
“We’ll talk more later. I’m at the Paranormal Abilities Bureau right now.”
Oh, okay. Catch you later.

And with that, the call ended.

An editor, huh.
If In-seop praised him that highly, the kid must be good.
I’ll check him out later.

“You and In-seop seem really close.”
“We’re sworn brothers. We went through tough times together.”
“Ah, I see. We’re fond of him too. He’s extremely cooperative with the Bureau—influencer of the year material, honestly.”

Deputy Director Choi Seong-hoon of the Paranormal Abilities Bureau handed me a teacup with a pleasant smile.

This was the Seoul branch’s reception room.

I sipped the coffee he offered and smiled back.

“Now, where were we?”
“Ah! I was explaining the formal player registration procedure.”
“Is there anything I should be doing to help?”
“No, no. That’s what the Bureau’s for. You players just focus on climbing the Abyss.”

A bit overwhelming, honestly.
Ever since I’d arrived, Deputy Choi had been deferential.

Rumor was, he was pretty powerful inside the Bureau.
A direct line to the top, maybe?

“The system will take about 30 minutes to finish processing. Let’s just chat over coffee until then.”
“Sounds good. I like the Bureau already.”

If they were willing to handle all the hassle, why complain?

Still, I was curious.
They had to know I’d been missing for seven years, yet they didn’t ask.
What were they thinking?

Maybe I should bring it up myself.

“By the way, aren’t you going to investigate me?”
“…Investigate?”
“I was missing for seven years. Then I pop up and start stirring trouble. In movies, they usually drag guys like me in for interrogation, right?”

He looked briefly startled, but quickly recovered with a smooth smile.

“Of course, we are curious about that.”
“And if I said I was willing to explain?”
“…First, let me clear up a misunderstanding. The Bureau has no intention of investigating you. And that will remain the policy.”

Interesting.

Hyung had told me the Bureau wielded real authority—even had its own armed force.

Yet they were bowing their heads like this?

Very curious.

“What if I were a spy?”
“Spies don’t behave the way you do.”

…True.
No spy would go around seeking attention like I did.

When I nodded, Choi continued in a soft tone.

“Personally, I’m curious, but I trust that as our relationship deepens, you’ll tell me when the time is right.”
“Trust, huh. I like that. But what about player tests? Don’t you usually measure ability somehow? In novels, they always do.”
“Normally, yes. We pit players against our contracted ones. But you’re exempt.”
“I want to do it.”

Could make good content, after all.

But Choi was firm.

“Orders from the Minister.”
“The Minister?”
“Let’s just say he doesn’t want to risk injuring a direct player like you.”

So they really were valuing me highly.

Were they being cautious, or just shrewd?

“In that case, may I make a proposal?”

Choi carefully slid a paper toward me.
A contract.

It basically offered a direct deal with the Bureau.

“Players usually contract with us, or with corporate guilds. We provide the equipment needed for Abyss expeditions.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard from hyung.”
“If you sign with us, we’ll support you fully. Even your streaming activities—we’ve already cleared that with higher-ups. We’ll even establish a professional MCN for you.”
“An MCN just for me?”
“Consider it proof of how much we believe in you.”

More serious than I’d expected.

All this for just two live streams?
And both on the first floor?

Even the contract terms were generous.
The only real catch was one line: Respond to emergency summons.

I’d already guessed the Bureau would try this, and I’d prepared my answer.

Pushing the contract back, I smiled.

“Thank you, but I’ll have to decline.”
“Already have a guild in mind?”
“Nope. Just… feel bad.”
“…What do you mean?”
“I’m a patriot.”

Choi blinked, dumbfounded.

“I heard the Abyss is shared with foreign players?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“So if I get pissed at some foreign player and beat them up, wouldn’t that spark an international incident if I were Bureau-affiliated?”
“…Couldn’t you just not beat them up?”
“I will. Doesn’t matter if it’s China’s Premier or Japan’s Prime Minister—I’ll beat them if they annoy me.”

At that shocking declaration, Choi was speechless.

“That’s my conviction as Yoo Seong-woo, aka streamer Meteor.”
“…The Minister may have had a point….”
“Hm?”
“…Nothing. Understood. Then let’s forget about the contract.”

Surprisingly easygoing.
He tucked the contract back into his briefcase and nodded.

“Shame.”
“I’ll still cooperate as much as I can. Like I said, I’m a patriot.”
“Ah, yes.”
“Oh, right, Deputy. Could I ask a favor?”
“Of course.”

Nothing to lose from being on good terms with the Bureau.
Who knows, maybe they’ll sponsor me someday.

I pulled out two capsules from my inventory.
The rare drops from clearing the Leech’s sauna.

“I heard these need appraisal.”
“Oh, those rare capsules from your stream! Yes, we can appraise them here.”
“Did you see my notice from this morning, by the way?”
“This one?”

Choi showed me his tablet.

<Title: Subscriber Event Announcement>
Content: Among those who subscribe to my channel and leave a comment on a replay, I’ll draw winners to receive one of the items obtained from a rare capsule. The gacha and drawing will be done live, so please look forward to it!

“That’s the one.”
“Your moves are bold, I’ll give you that. I look forward to the next stream.”
“About that—I’d like your help.”
“…Pardon?”

He looked startled again.
I smiled and nodded.

“Let’s do a collab stream.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Think about it—an official gacha stream certified by the Bureau! Perfect for my second broadcast.”
“A-and when exactly were you planning to go live…?”

I answered without hesitation.

“Right now.”

Why wait?