A Village Appeared on My Desktop

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Chapter

218-Desperation (8)

“Did you see that? And do you understand now? What we need to do next.”

“Wait a moment. What on earth is going on here?”

He stammered in disbelief. What Lee So-Yeon had suddenly shown him was just too ridiculous.

“It’s exactly as I showed you. We need to move quickly; people need saving.”

Lee So-Yeon sighed and shook her head at the team leader’s demand for an explanation. The video she had shared from the user community was a ‘threat’ urging specific individuals to be summoned to a meeting place, using the unconscious secretary as leverage.

‘Everyone knows you and that person aren’t strangers, so why spin such a lie?’

The team leader sighed, looking at Lee So-Yeon’s face, which was feigning ignorance. While there wasn’t concrete evidence, it was obvious to everyone that they were colluding.

“Is what this person said really true? The secretary affiliated with the President’s Office is infected with a Parasite Bug, and there is a way to save them?”

“I don’t know either. That’s why we need to check. Luckily, I have a method.”

Lee So-Yeon pointed to one of her eyes with her finger, trying to remain calm. The eye gleaming golden like a cat’s startled the team leader.

“Th-that’s that magic you mentioned last time?”

“The magic that can identify parasites; I recently acquired it. We can verify it with this. The higher-ups were lackluster in their responses, but they shouldn’t be now.”

Lee So-Yeon had cleverly twisted the narrative. Originally, she was going to inform Joon-Young about what she discovered first, but now she was positioning herself to ‘validate’ Joon-Young’s words.

This way, their connection would remain an ambiguous state with only circumstantial evidence.

“Understood. I also see why you’re bringing this up.”

The team leader finally calmed down and nodded. The opponent was an entity that had been active since the start of the situation, and its identity was still unknown.

Recently, they attempted to ascertain that identity by collaborating with American intelligence agencies, but all they confirmed was the ruthless scheming of the Bugs and their overwhelming abilities to counteract.

It was true that people were taken hostage; there was no way this could be dismissed as a mere prank.

“Get me in touch with the director right now.”

He reported this information to the higher-ups as Lee So-Yeon wished. Given that Joon-Young had previously threatened a high-ranking official, it was no surprise that the higher-ups were in a frenzy.

“I did as you instructed, Representative. It’s all in chaos now, so things will proceed quickly. But you must understand, if this continues, resentment will only grow.”

“This isn’t my concern.”

“If that’s how you feel, then please use the user community or whatever to relay that to him. I’m saying this for everyone’s sake. The future is uncertain. If matters keep unfolding like this with every new variable, it won’t work out eventually.”

He earnestly lamented to Lee So-Yeon, who was pretending not to hear him. His words weren’t entirely wrong, causing her to bite her lip slightly.

‘But this horrific calamity must end first.’

Lee So-Yeon believed wholeheartedly in Joon-Young, but that trust was only possible because she was the only one who knew his identity and beliefs.

To everyone else, including the National Intelligence Service team leader standing before her, he was merely an incomprehensible source of fear. Right now, he controlled people through overwhelming strength and the fear it induced, but if dissatisfaction piled up, the danger would undoubtedly grow.

*

“That’s right. But don’t worry too much. Before it gets to that stage, I believe we can end this tiresome fight.”

After receiving a text from Lee So-Yeon about the successful operation, I responded back with an acknowledgment and a smirk.

The growth rate of Bugs that had appeared on Earth was staggering. Both the Users looking down from Earth, and us, the Guardians being nurtured by them, were doing our utmost to fight them, yet we were slightly lacking.

I was convinced that if we didn’t swiftly subdue this conflict, we would eventually be defeated.

So, Lee So-Yeon and the National Intelligence Service team leader’s concerns wouldn’t come to pass. Before that, we’d likely be swept away by the Bugs.

‘Have they arrived?’

I sensed multiple presences approaching. The heavy footsteps hinted at skilled special forces, and I instinctively knew they were special forces.

They were probably aiming sniper rifles at me from afar. Currently, I wasn’t particularly afraid of bullets, much like Riena in the game, but I felt an irrational tension.

“I didn’t expect you to come in person. It’s late at night.”

“You…”

Before long, the people I had invited began to reveal themselves in this open area amidst the wooded hills.

The high-ranking individuals, including Lee So-Yeon holding a staff, were the necessary powers that moved this country. Shockingly, the President had come himself.

Naturally, they gasped upon seeing me and the unconscious secretary at my side.

“Recently, there has been a global surge of fear regarding Parasite Bugs. It has been proven that they invade the upper echelons of society and wreak havoc from within, so it’s only natural to root them out and eliminate them.”

“Yet no one has found a method to do so. Are you claiming you can? And that person has been infested with a parasite?”

The President, who looked like someone I’d only seen on television, directly addressed me while explaining the situation. To be honest, I hadn’t given much thought to the fact that he was the youngest President in history, but now I felt a slight curiosity.

There was no need to bother about the politics; at least it seemed he genuinely cared about human life.

“Do you know what this is? It’s an item akin to something that existed in games. As you know, many mystical items from games have been appearing in reality lately, right?”

I pulled out the VK vaccine and showed it to everyone. All eyes turned towards the small vial in my hand. Everyone was already accustomed to items brought into reality by Users.

Even the President had nearly cured his diabetes by taking a potion and had boldly appeared in the news mentioning he would personally conduct clinical trials.

“The Master Program presented this vaccine as a solution to the rise of the cunning, fully parasitic Bugs. You can verify if I’m lying or speaking the truth right now.”

“Wait! Are you saying you want to inject an untested drug into a person right now!?”

Some people protested as I opened the vial and pulled out a syringe. One of the protesters was an oddly familiar man with a funky hairstyle, who I recalled was the leader of a certain political party.

“I wonder how well that ‘procedure’ works in front of a monster that devours people.”

I smoothly ignored the protests. While the objections grew louder, the President personally stepped in.

“Representative, is there truly a parasite in that person’s body?”

“Yes. It’s very clear. There’s something unseen and malicious lurking inside.”

The President requested verification from Lee So-Yeon. When her one golden eye gleamed and verified the result, the commotion intensified.

“Go ahead. I’ll take responsibility.”

Eventually, the President nodded. Deciding to trust that statement, I injected the serum.

“Cough!?”

At that moment, the host’s body convulsed violently after receiving the injection.

“Isn’t this dangerous!?”

It was no surprise that people reacted this way. The problem was that I was surprised too. I was only now able to confirm whether the vaccine would work or not.

“Gah, wheeze!”

The effects of the Sleep Herb must have been broken, as the host’s eyes shot wide open, and they began screaming and throwing up.

‘Found it.’

Amidst the vomit, I clearly saw something wriggling, something much larger than a human finger.

The host fell back asleep immediately after expelling it.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

I caught it and placed it in a prepared glass jar. Everyone gazed at the bizarre creature writhing madly inside.

The creature, entirely black with protrusions sprouting here and there, emitted a hint of red, and it was clearly a dangerous being.

“Is it… really real?”

“We still can’t be sure. We need to verify…”

A wave of murmurs spread through the crowd. Seeing that atmosphere, I was convinced my role was complete. The presence of the parasite and the efficacy of the vaccine had been confirmed, fulfilling my purpose.

“Wait! I have something to say.”

Quick on the uptake, the President jumped forward and shouted. Thanks to him, the attention that had been shifting toward the parasite shifted back to me.

“For everyone’s sake, let’s cooperate with us. After all, you’re a citizen too, once you take off the hood and mask.”

“I can’t do that for everyone. If I’m bound by groups and orders, nobody will act when needed. I am solely active to stop the monsters that hate humanity.”

I shook my head at the President’s persuasion. As I commenced my activities and my actions grew increasingly rough, I resolved never to fully reveal my identity.

Today’s situation solidified that determination. I didn’t need to become a hero. Even if I was branded as a villain, I had to do what needed to be done.

“The effects of the vaccine will be shared with all Users. Once many start playing the game with their Guardians and begin to obtain the vaccine, it will become easier to secure supplies in reality as well.”

As I pulled out my phone to open a portal, the President raised his weapon and ordered the special forces approaching me to stand down.

If a fight broke out, someone would inevitably get hurt, so it was fortunate that was avoided.

“I look forward to seeing you again next time.”

“I don’t want to see you again. I’m not doing this because I enjoy it.”

He spoke with a smile, but I shook my head, forcing a bitter smile in return.

“Not every leader is a fool.”

After cautiously marking a few spots both domestically and internationally, I finally arrived at my home.

Feeling the silence, I took off my mask and let my bangs fall, raising the corners of my mouth.

While some had fallen victim to Bugs due to foolish decisions, like the Emperor of an Empire or the leader of a terrorist organization, there were certainly those making efforts, like the boy king of the Kingdom of Baruk who isolated himself after infection or the President I just met.

I didn’t feel we would lose the war if we stood together with them.

‘Tomorrow, we will arrive at the facility.’

To accomplish that, I needed to secure more vaccines.

I scanned the screen that was going through a seemingly uneventful night while yawning naturally.

My desktop background had a village.

Chapter 219