United States.
A quiet suburban residential area.
A black sedan slowly passed through an alley. Behind the vehicle, an identical black SUV followed with mechanical precision. The door of the black sedan, having quietly arrived at its destination, opened.
Clack, clack, clack.
Simultaneously, bodyguards disembarked, searching the surroundings. With ice-cold eyes, they meticulously scanned the area, preparing for any emergency.
"Area secure, Mr. President."
Before the words even finished, the US President and the Director of the Hunter Management Bureau, Adam White, emerged side-by-side from the presidential vehicle, their faces stern. In response, the bodyguards simultaneously exchanged hand signals, forming a tight perimeter around them. The President waved them off, saying,
"It's alright. You all wait here."
"But, Mr. President."
"The Madam does not appreciate such fuss."
Saying this, the President gazed intently at the picturesque, red-roofed house before him. This house, which looked no different from the surrounding houses, was, contrary to its ordinary appearance, a very special place. To meet the person living in this house, even the highest authority in the US government had to visit in person.
Creak.
As the President approached the door, it opened from within as if expecting him.
"It's been a while, Dave."
The person who appeared from inside was a tall young black man. The President was momentarily surprised upon recognizing him.
"...You've grown a lot. Last time I saw you, I think you only came up to my waist."
"Dave, your mustache has grown more than I have. When did you become President?"
"You rascal…"
Grin.
Despite the President's sudden visit, he bantered casually. And he greeted them as if he had been expecting guests.
"Please, come in. Grandma said some important guests would be arriving soon and had me bake cookies."
At those words, the President let out a soft chuckle. Of course… After all, who was it he was about to meet?
'Norma Selner.'
Psychic, prophet, clairvoyant. The world's foremost fortune-teller, for whom no descriptor felt out of place, was the old woman living in this house.
Of course, the President hadn't trusted Norma Selner from the very beginning. However, long before he became President, during his time as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency – a position at the pinnacle of information gathering – he had no choice but to shed his skepticism after witnessing Norma Selner resolve numerous intractable cases with supernatural power, cases he himself had given up on. In fact, Madam Norma Selner had once even given him a prophecy, like a casual blessing, that he would become President. Along with that, she had added that even when he became President, it wouldn't necessarily be all good things.
'She said the timing was unfortunate, I recall…'
And that prophecy eventually came true. David Brennan, former Director of Intelligence, had decisively won the recent presidential election. And truly unfortunately… that last prophecy had also come true. As soon as he became President, as if waiting, major global incidents like the recent ones began to erupt one after another, and he had been living on headache medicine ever since.
"Phew… It's been a long time, Madam."
With mixed emotions, the President, upon entering the house, greeted Norma Selner letting out a deep sigh. In the drawing-room, simple refreshments were already prepared as if waiting for them. Perhaps she really knew guests would be arriving around this time. Steam was even rising from the freshly baked cookies. Norma Selner, seated in a wheelchair, welcomed them.
"Welcome, Dave. You've gained quite a few white hairs since I last saw you."
"…Many things have happened recently."
Hearing those words, the President let out another deep sigh, as if the weight of the world was upon him. The President politely greeted Norma Selner, then sat on the sofa and first inquired about her well-being.
"More importantly, how is your health? I see you're using a wheelchair."
"I may look like this, but I'm quite healthy. The weakening of my muscles is simply due to age."
Norma Selner answered nonchalantly. However, the President had a specific reason for asking. Behind her, seated in the wheelchair, were several packed suitcases. She appeared to be about to embark on a long journey despite her physical discomfort, the President asked with a slightly bewildered expression.
"Are you… going on a trip somewhere?"
Given the current state of affairs. For an elderly person to embark on a long journey during these perilous times was an extremely dangerous act. Setting everything else aside, if someone like Norma Selner were to travel, the President would only feel at ease if he assigned a large security detail to her. Adam White, Director of the Hunter Management Bureau, recognizing his concern, spoke up.
"If you are going on a trip, we will assign a few of our Hunters as bodyguards."
At their words, Norma Selner, instead of answering, smiled gently and offered the refreshments she had prepared beforehand.
"You both must have rushed here, please quench your thirst first… Besides, these cookies were just baked, so they're quite delicious."
However, they were not in the mood to leisurely sip tea. If it weren't for something extraordinary, the President and the Director of the Hunter Management Bureau wouldn't have both come here in person like this.
"Madam, forgive my impertinence, but the situation is somewhat urgent."
At the President's words, the secretary beside him hurriedly took out a laptop. But before he could even turn it on, Adam White added.
"A short while ago, an abnormal climate phenomenon was detected at the North Pole. Considering its scale, it is by no means an ordinary situation."
The general public was completely unaware, but until now, very occasionally, completely inexplicable phenomena had occurred on this Earth. Each time, scientists or expert research teams could offer no solutions. Because most of them were phenomena far beyond the scope of modern science. And based on past experience, in times like these, seeking out Madam Norma Selner, even if it seemed somewhat unscientific, was the best the government could do.
"We need your insight, Madam."
As soon as the President spoke, Norma Selner, without even glancing at the laptop, answered calmly.
"I am already aware of the situation. However, the answer to that is something you will have to seek from someone else."
"Someone… else, you say?"
"Who might that be?"
Norma Selner replied to their bewildered reactions.
"Sung Suho."
"…Sung Suho? Who is that?"
"Hunter Sung Suho of Korea. Go find him."
The President was taken aback by the unexpected answer. Simultaneously, Adam White's, Director of the Hunter Management Bureau's expression hardened. To think that name would come from Norma Selner's lips now. It meant the situation at the North Pole was far more serious than anticipated. However, the President, not yet grasping the full implications, impatiently opened the laptop himself.
"Understood, Madam. I will keep that name in mind. But any information you can provide, starting with the situation at the North Pole…"
"Dave, are you too busy with work to play games these days?"
"Pardon? What does that…?"
The President wore a bewildered expression at Norma Selner's unexpected question, which interrupted him.
"Games… you say?"
'Why bring up games in a situation like this?'
"Solo Leveling: Ragnarok."
However, when the name of that game flowed from Norma Selner's lips, the President belatedly nodded. No matter how busy he was with national affairs, it was impossible not to know 'that game'.
"I am aware of it. Regarding that game… I have received detailed analytical reports, so I am well versed in its content. They say it's a game that allows one to forcibly become Awakened. However, from my position, making such a rash attempt is…"
"I know. It would be somewhat unreasonable for you. For the President to attempt something that might cause unforeseen abnormalities would be an irresponsible act."
Norma Selner nodded as if in understanding.
"However, I recommend you try it at least once, perhaps after your term ends."
If someone else had said it, he would have dismissed it. But the moment those words came from Norma Selner's mouth, they carried a weight that even the President of the United States could absolutely not ignore. Therefore, before bringing up the main reason for his visit, the President couldn't help but focus on that game first.
"Madam, is there perhaps a specific reason why I absolutely must play that game myself?"
"Yes. It is… a truly well-made game."
"Is that the entirety of the reason?"
The President's expression grew even more puzzled. At his appearance, Norma Selner smiled faintly and opened her mouth.
"That game… allows us to remember the past we had forgotten, the history that has disappeared."
"Remember… you say?"
"Yes. Now it's all just a memory."
"…?"
The President couldn't properly understand Norma Selner's words, murmured with a somewhat distant gaze. The words of a prophet were always like this. Abstract and vague, open to various interpretations. But that was his misunderstanding. Until now, Norma Selner had always given direct and concrete prophecies. However, depending on who heard them, they simply found it difficult to understand.
"…You will understand my words if you play the game yourself."
Norma Selner simply smiled and said.
"Even though they are now old and faded memories, I still hope that everyone remembers them… Sad but precious and bitter memories that shined brighter than ever…."
Norma Selner's voice, uttering prophetic words as if talking to herself, echoed softly in the quiet drawing-room. Her gaze already seemed to be looking at a completely different era, not reality, appearing distant and sorrowful.
"Looking back, those days were excessively desperate and horrific. A piece of history now vanished. But undeniably real, all the memories and stories of that era… are contained intact within that game."
…However, to all those living in this current era, forcibly reminding them of all the memories of that time would only amplify shock and confusion. The numerous frustrations and wounds that all of humanity felt and experienced at that time. The long history of countless deaths stained with despair and fear. And if the current humanity, living a history newly written over it, were to vividly recall the memories of that time now…
'…It would be utter chaos. Too many things have changed already.'
A new history was already being recorded on the current Earth. In the meantime, someone who had lost a loved one might have reunited with them as if by fate. And someone else might have forgotten everything and met a new connection. Forcing them to vividly recall the memories of despair and frustration experienced long ago, who would truly appreciate that? Of course, some might be grateful, but the confusion would be far greater.
…But Sung Suho, cleverly… adopted a method of conveying the stories of the vanished history as indirectly as possible, so as not to cause a major clash of memories. 'A Game.' Using the very indirect and kind storytelling device of a virtual reality game, which was very familiar to the current humanity.
So, as they continued to play that game, all users would very naturally, slowly retrace and accept the memories of the past. 'The Scars', as indirectly as possible. Recalling the important forgotten memories, as if listening to an old, well-worn tale. …But among them, one that absolutely must be remembered. The memory of 'Him', for whom everyone living in this era should be grateful, could be recalled very clearly.
'Sung Jinwoo.'
Thanks to that, even at this moment, the number of people remembering all the things 'He' had done for humanity was gradually increasing. And they themselves were directly experiencing 'His' life, walking the path he had walked. Back then, in those days. The long journey of 'Him', who walked alone, shouldering all the burdens of the world in a place no one knew. …And thus, at some point. Naturally, like clothes getting wet in a drizzle. All of humanity living in the present era would come to empathize with his heart.
'To survive, one must become strong oneself.'
And eventually, paradoxically they will understand…
'That now, it is no longer 'me alone'.'
They would come to realize. So that he no longer fights alone. So that now, everyone can combine their strength and hearts to protect the world. So that we all can protect this world.
'So that he is no longer lonely.'
"…Because it's a truly well-made game."
Norma Selner, well aware of this fact, showed a gratified smile. And her distant gaze returned from the past to reality, passing President Dave, and landing on Director of the Hunter Management Bureau, Adam White.
"Therefore, we must go to meet Sung Suho now. His admirable son, who planned this game solely for his father."
At Norma Selner's firm words, the President and Adam White finally realized the purpose of the suitcases neatly placed before them. And their expressions hardened.
"Madam, are you by any chance planning to go to Korea?"
"It's too dangerous!"
"It was only a few days ago that a massive swarm of monstrous butterflies invaded the entire world from the sky!"
Of all times, to fly on a plane to Korea, on the other side of the globe, during this crisis? All airports in the US were currently shut down, just in case some of those butterflies were still lurking somewhere. Yet, if she insisted on going, it meant using a private plane, which was even more dangerous. It meant circumnavigating half the globe. However, before they could rashly object, Norma Selner's prophecy weighed on their minds.
"Is there perhaps a reason why you must meet Hunter Sung Suho in person, Madam…"
Just then.
"Going to Korea?"
A deep male voice suddenly came from behind. Everyone turned their heads in surprise. In the corner of the living room, where no one had been just seconds before, stood a man of immense stature… It was Thomas Andre.
At that moment, all the bodyguards who had been waiting outside the house urgently kicked open the door and rushed inside.
"Mr. President, are you alright?!"
Though they had been ordered to wait outside, the sudden appearance of an overwhelmingly powerful presence inside the house made them reflexively shield the President. Recognizing who it was, they couldn't help but tense up further and adopt a guarded stance.
"Th-Thomas Andre?!"
"Good heavens…!"
"Don't move! Hands up!"
Who was Thomas Andre? Just moments ago, he was the man who had transformed into a giant larger than the Statue of Liberty in the skies above New York and stopped the invasion of the monstrous butterfly swarm. The entire world had witnessed his exploits, and the US government had officially recognized him as a National-Level Hunter. But that also meant everyone now knew that Thomas Andre could conquer the entire United States if he so wished. For such a person to appear before the President meant the bodyguards had to prevent the worst-case scenario, even at the cost of their lives. Though it was obvious they wouldn't be able to stop him.
"Tsk. Such a fuss."
But Thomas Andre merely chuckled at the bodyguards' reaction, ignored them, and turned to Norma Selner, asking playfully.
"Grandma, do you speak any Korean?"
At his question, Norma Selner burst into laughter. After all, it was Norma Selner herself who had been telling Thomas to study Korean for ages. She replied in Korean far more fluent than Thomas Andre's.
"I've been waiting, Thomas. All the airports are closed; would you open a gate to Korea for me?"
"Kuhaha, are you asking me, the King of Giants and Monarch of Conquest, for an escort now?"
Thomas Andre laughed heartily and readily nodded.
"That's not difficult."
Then, he lowered his gaze, looked at his own feet, and spoke.
"Hey. You there. You've been following me around all this time for this very moment, haven't you?"
He was speaking to his shadow. Then, surprisingly, the shadow at Thomas's feet slowly rose. At its appearance, the bodyguards tensed even more. Some were so startled they drew upon their mana, but the President raised a hand to stop them. Reckless actions in such a situation would only invite greater danger. After all, if he decided on something, no one here could stop him. In that breathtaking tension, Thomas Andre commanded the Shadow Soldier.
"I want to go to Suho. Open a gate to where Suho is now."
At Thomas's words, the Shadow Soldier scratched its head, then, as if Suho's permission had been granted, it promptly nodded. Then…
Fwoosh!
The Shadow Soldier's body swirled on the spot, and a passage of darkness opened. Thomas looked at Norma Selner and Adam White.
"Well, let's go… This gentleman too."
Adam White looked at the President with a bewildered expression. As the President quietly nodded, he hesitated before walking towards the passage of darkness with Norma Selner.