Surviving Among the Entities

“From the perspective of modern people, the actions of medieval Europeans would be hard to understand.”

Hwang Si-an, a university student taking liberal arts courses, had one dream – to leave his name in history.

“For example, back then they believed draining blood could cure diseases. Their concept of hygiene was extremely poor, and people aspired to live day-to-day rather than seek education. The class system was rigid, with peasants’ children also becoming peasants, and the world remained unchanged for centuries.”

From a young age, he had been called a genius. In middle and high school, he had never ranked below first in exams, securing top scores in the college entrance exam to attend his current university.

“But it’s not because they were stupid, as the common saying goes. Human intelligence has not changed from the hunter-gatherer era until modern times. Only the surrounding environment changed – humans have always made the best choices in their given situations.”

Since then, he had never received below an A grade. After completing military service, he returned like a sword to become the top student in his major, never missing out on being among the highest scorers and scholarship recipients.

“For example, why was the acquisition of knowledge delayed in the medieval era? It’s simple – knowledge required books to spread, but without the printing press, they could only be hand-written. Naturally, books were extremely rare and expensive items.”

But at some point, he began feeling disillusioned with life.

“Books inevitably became the exclusive domain of nobles and clergy, depriving commoners and peasants of opportunities to learn, severely hampering the spread of knowledge.”

What’s the point of studying so hard? At best, I’ll just end up at some big company, right? But what I want is to leave my name in history – can I really do that as a salaryman?

“With lack of knowledge, the progress of medicine and science was also greatly delayed. Amidst that, the Black Death broke out and the Little Ice Age arrived, beleaguering them with plague and famine. In the face of endless calamities, people could do nothing but cling to religion.”

Becoming a company CEO would leave my name remembered, but for how long? At most a century, unable to go beyond that and only being a few letters decorating a tedious page in some book.

“Naturally, the excessive focus on religion soon became power, and as history proves, the concentration of excessive power breeds corruption. Religion could no longer propagate compassion and salvation, degrading into a mere tool of power.”

He wanted to be recorded in history as a name that would last beyond centuries, eternally remembered as a great figure. Always called a genius, he still was even now, so he wished to leave great accomplishments in academia, particularly in fields like science or mathematics, to be recorded as an eminent personage.

“What abolished this were the Renaissance and the printing press. The Renaissance shifted the world from a religion-centric ideology to a human-centric one, and the invention of the printing press allowed such thoughts to rapidly spread. Only then could the Reformation occur, followed by the Scientific Revolution which sparked the Commercial Revolution and the birth of capitalism, advancing us into the modern era.”

Of course, even now he could become an eminent historical figure by making breakthroughs like uncovering the existence of dark matter, solving the Hubble tension problem, or resolving any of the Millennium Prize Problems.

“Perhaps someone is thinking, ‘So development was stagnant for centuries until geniuses were finally born and barely allowed progress?'”

But Hwang Si-an wanted to become more than that – a prodigious genius like Newton or Einstein who turned scientific paradigms 180 degrees, the kind of genius that appears only once every few centuries.

“To which I would say: There may have been a hundred geniuses born to spark the Renaissance, but they all died of the Black Death. A hundred geniuses capable of inventing the printing press may have been born, but they all starved to death.”

These were no longer possible in the modern era. Mathematics and science had reached domains individuals could no longer advance through genius alone, dividing into factions where politics had to be involved in a pathetic state of affairs.

“That will be all for today’s class. We’ll have a pop quiz next time.”

Wasn’t the case of Gregory Perelman alone proof enough? At any rate, after the class ended Hwang Si-an shuffled back to his studio apartment and read web novels lying in bed.

[I Became a Genius Professor in a Medieval Fantasy World.]
[Surviving the Medieval Era with Science Cheats.]
[I Was Reincarnated into a Party Kicked Novel but Became a Genius Scientist Changing the World.]

By chance coming across these web novels, he became engrossed in the genre of traveling to the medieval era and becoming an eminent figure.

‘I’m confident I could do well if I went to a medieval fantasy world too.’

Not as some shoddy protagonist using ludicrous plausibility to gloss over lacking knowledge, but as a true genius thoroughly preparing himself to perfectly overturn the paradigms and enlighten medieval people.

‘Then in that world, I would be forever remembered as an eminent historical figure?’

Of course, he knew it was unrealistic. He was merely indulging in such fantasies, wishing it could be so.

‘Hm?’

At that moment, an advertisement caught his eye. At the very bottom of the web novel page was a banner that read:

[Are you tired of reality? Want to become the protagonist? Then contact us immediately. Another world awaits you.]

‘I must be insane.’

On a weekend morning, Hwang Si-an who had taken an early subway headed somewhere unknown, feeling self-deprecating.

‘There’s no way that could be real.’

An unbelievable advertisement claiming to send people to other worlds – at best it was likely a game ad or a scam. But harboring a glimmer of hope, Hwang Si-an contacted them and learned a shocking truth.

‘I never expected this to be an advertisement from Seung-hoon Lee.’

Who was Seung-hoon Lee?

‘……A resolver.’

He didn’t know the details, but if he was a resolver then surely he could resolve Hwang Si-an’s concerns too.

‘Even if I can’t actually go to another world, at least I can receive some consultation.’

Arriving at the location provided, it was a shabby building with a signboard visible:

“Seung-hoon Lee Resolver Office”

Entering inside, several people were waiting, and one person greeted him with a smile.

“Mr. Hwang Si-an?”
“Yes.”
“Indeed. Yes, with you everyone has arrived. Should I serve coffee? Or tea? Or soft drinks?”
“Coffee for me, please.”
“Ah, tea for me……”
“I’ll have a soft drink……”

Sipping his coffee, Hwang Si-an observed the others.

‘Did they all come wanting to go to another world like me?’

Thinking that, his view of them became tinted.

‘Pathetic people, there’s no way that’s actually possible after all.’

But it was fine for me since I just came out of curiosity, thinking the resolver Seung-hoon Lee might be able to resolve this vexing feeling within me. As he thought that and finished his coffee, Seung-hoon Lee appeared holding stacks of documents.

“Now, among you some may have come out of simple curiosity. But the banner I posted is real, and I can actually send you all to another world right away.”
“Um, really!?”

Through the tinted lenses, an excessively obese man shot his hand up in Hwang Si-an’s view.

“Yes, really. But first, please read this.”

Hwang Si-an’s eyes widened at the paper handed out.

‘Gross cringe.’

The paper was a list of people who had died after going to other worlds.

‘Is this mocking people in that manner?’

There were cases of people dying from robberies or falling accidents without receiving treatment, as well as from illnesses or at the hands of nobles.

“As you can see, I can send you all to a medieval fantasy world. However, it is not a happy place. You may find happiness, but the chances of being unhappy are higher. Because there are over a billion other worlds, not just one.”

Seung-hoon Lee raised a finger.

“In the end, everything depends on chance. Whether it’s a happy other world or not, even I don’t know.”

Saying so, he took out a white piece of paper that looked freshly torn from a notebook.

“However, if you acquire even a bit more knowledge, your chances of survival will increase even in an unfavorable other world. I want to prevent you all from dying in vain, so I wish to assist you in preparing at least a little. But first……”

Before handing out the papers, he asked:

“As I just informed you, the probability of death is extremely high there. If anyone wishes to give up now, please raise your hand.”

A few people raised their hands. Seung-hoon Lee shook their hands and handed them small boxes.

“A gift. Life’s paths are bound to be steep, but even if this moment is difficult, a light will shine again someday.”

After those people left, a small commotion reached Hwang Si-an’s ears as he sat near the entrance.

-Th, this is real gold?
-Wow, he’s giving out gold!? For real?
-Awesome! Time to buy some MapleStory cash!

‘He gave out gold as gifts!?’

Though the boxes were small so the amount wouldn’t be large, it was still gold. For a moment greed arose, but Hwang Si-an felt he could not give up either.

‘If he’s giving out gold to those who give up, then what is he really trying to do here?’

Seung-hoon Lee handed out papers. Simultaneously handing out an additional sheet.

‘What’s this?’

In addition to the white paper, he read the other paper.

[1. How to Make Soap: Animal fat (cow, pig, sheep fat), alkaline substance (lye water), spices or herbs (optional).
1-1. First, place the animal fat into a pot and slowly melt it. Using high heat risks burning, so slowly melt over low heat, then add the lye water. For the lye water, hardwoods like oak or chestnut are preferable.]

The paper contained everything from how to make soap to noble etiquette, bookkeeping without calculators, simple medicines made from medieval tools and herbs, and various other knowledge useful for living.

“Please copy the contents here onto the white paper. If you run out of paper, feel free to request more from me. And if there is anything you personally deem important, you may write that as well.”
“Um, what is the meaning of this?”
“Whatever you write on the white paper, you will never forget. As modern people going to a medieval fantasy world, knowledge is all we have to present, is it not?”

Hwang Si-an asked:

“Do I have to write something?”
“Those who don’t wish to can leave it blank. It’s all up to your choice.”
“I see.”

It wasn’t because he couldn’t believe Seung-hoon Lee’s words. Of course he was somewhat skeptical, but if it was true then he needed to write something else on this paper.

‘I should write down Newton and Einstein’s accomplishments!’

He immediately opened his smartphone and copied their achievements.

‘It’s really being etched into my memory!’

Surprised, his hands moved even faster.

“Can I have some more paper, please!”
“Here, I’ve placed plenty up front so write as much as you’d like.”

With only five participants remaining, they all silently and seriously transcribed knowledge onto the papers.

“Excuse me, I have a question.”

The man on the far left, who had finished transcribing first with quick hands, asked:

“If we really do go to another world, what will our identities be? Since it’s a medieval fantasy setting, it would be a Caucasian-majority society, so as Asians wouldn’t we seem out of place?”
“Sharp observation. I don’t know the answer to that issue myself. But among the previous 1,267 people, there were no recorded cases of death from racial discrimination, so it seems to automatically resolve itself over there.”
“So you, Seung-hoon Lee, can’t resolve it for us?”
“I only possess the means to send people to other worlds.”

The others asked one by one as well.

“What about language?”
“I do know about that. You will automatically acquire the most common language used in that other world.”
“If we suddenly appear without any prior identity, won’t people find it strange?”
“Since there were no special mentions of that among the previous cases, it seems to automatically resolve itself too.”
“Are there any cheats?”
“There is a 1% chance to awaken magic power. A 5% chance to transfer to worlds where you can live like a web novel protagonist. The rest is ordinary.”

At those words, someone shouted:

“5%!? That’s a fucking jackpot!”

Hwang Si-an looked at the person who shouted. An ordinary, completely average-looking face, but he excitedly shouted:

“Th, then if I hit the 5%, I could live a TS cute girl nadenadenande life!”
“What is TS? I’m a bit lacking in that knowledge area.”
“Gender transformation! I want to become a cute girl, you see!”

For a moment, contempt welled up within him.

‘His aspiration is merely to become a young girl and live a nadenadenande life? I don’t really know what that means, but in any case, to live such a life?’

Seung-hoon Lee smiled and answered:

“Yes, it may be possible. There are actually cases like that among the previous transferees.”
“Woohoo!”

He was undoubtedly a pathetic person.

“It seems Mr. Yoon Ga-on wishes to live such a life.”
“Yes! That’s why lucid dreaming where I become a girl in my dreams has been my hobby! I’ve been doing it for 10 years now, to the point I can control my dreams perfectly and remember everything when I wake up! But it’s still just a dream in the end, not a real TS, you know?”
“Impressive passion in pursuit of your dream, I respect that.”
“Heheh……. Th, thanks, that’s the first time I’ve received a compliment.”

At that moment, Hwang Si-an raised his hand.

“But if we really do go to another world, what happens to our identities in this world? Our families will report us missing if we disappear.”
“You don’t need to worry about that.”

Seung-hoon Lee answered:

“I investigated the identities of the 1,267 people who went to other worlds first. And……”

Silence hung in the air.

“They were all non-existent people. I even met their families, but they couldn’t remember them. They did not exist in memories or photo albums – non-existent people.”
“You mean……”
“Yes.”

Everyone realized the meaning of his words before he could say it.

“If you go to another world, your existence in this world disappears.”

“Then I will give you all one last moment to think it over. Really consider if you truly wish to go, if you have any lingering attachments. If you genuinely wish to go, come to my office again tomorrow morning at 9 AM.”
“Do we get a gift if we give up?”
“Of course. But those who give up once cannot challenge a second time. Giving up the opportunity means you still have lingering attachments to this world, so please use that drive in this world instead.”

After returning home, Hwang Si-an agonized over it.

‘My existence in this world will disappear.’

It was an immensely difficult issue. Not just being unable to ever meet his parents who raised him or his friends again, but being completely erased from their memories – physically vanishing was a tremendous shock.

‘No, to become an eminent figure I must sever these trivial bonds!’

Having steeled his resolve, Hwang Si-an unknowingly fell asleep. That night, he dreamed. The dream took place above the clouds, where seven massive shrines existed, and without realizing it he entered the sixth one.

“Hwang Si-an.”

There, an unseen existence whose very form could not be perceived, offered him a die.

“Everything depends on chance, so roll it.”

It was a die with numbers from 1 to 100 written on it. He rolled it.

“1.”

The unidentifiable existence spoke in a sad voice:

“Do not worry. If you have knowledge, you may survive.”

The dream blurred.

“Perhaps.”

He awoke from the dream.

‘……I feel like I had some strange dream.’

But he could not recall the dream.

“You’ve arrived.”

After waking up, Hwang Si-an headed to Seung-hoon Lee’s office again.

“The others have all given up. Only the two of you will be going.”

The only ones going to another world were Hwang Si-an and Yoon Ga-on.

“Alright then, I will send you both to another world now. Who would like to go first?”
“Me, me first please!”
“Then please wait here. I’ll go retrieve the book to send you to another world.”

As Seung-hoon Lee left, Yoon Ga-on closed his eyes and prayed.

“It’ll be okay, I got 99. I rolled a 99, I remember it clearly.”

What is this guy rambling about?
Shortly after, Seung-hoon Lee returned with a book.

“Just press your finger here. One last time, are you sure you have no regrets?”
“……I do have some regrets, but I still want to go!”

The moment Yoon Ga-on pressed his finger, his figure vanished a few seconds later.

‘He really transferred!’

Stunned with his heart pounding, Hwang Si-an pressed his finger too.

“Then I hope you are able to attain the life you desire.”

Along with Seung-hoon Lee’s parting words, Hwang Si-an’s vision blurred.

‘This place is……’

When he came to, he was standing dumbfounded in an unfamiliar rural farmhouse.

‘Another world?’

Discovering a puddle on the floor, he looked at his reflection. His appearance was identical to the original world, but his outfit was a medieval farmer’s garb.

“Hey! Hwang Si-an! What are you doing! Get back to work!”

At that moment, an unidentified Caucasian girl yelled loudly at him. Without realizing it, Hwang Si-an asked her:

“How did you know my name?”
“What are you talking about, you’ve been living in our house for three years now so why wouldn’t I know your name!”
“Don’t I look strange?”
“What do you mean? You look normal to me?”
“Is, is that so?”

Ah, so this is how it resolves itself.
Even this language he had never heard before flowed as naturally as Korean.

“Ha, hahaha!”
“Why are you acting like this? Has he gone insane?”
“Uhahahahaha!”

Hwang Si-an collapsed onto the grassy field, overcome with joyous laughter.

‘I really came to another world! A medieval fantasy world! A medieval-themed other world!’

Now my name will be forever immortalized in history!

“Oww!”

Was that a bug bite?

Two days after the first other world transfer service concluded, two names were added to the book.

[1,268. Yoon Ga-on (???), surviving, ★5% winner★: Former civilian, transferred to an ordinary magic-imbued medieval fantasy world. Lost his body during the transfer and was reborn as the youngest daughter of a northern marquess, grew up receiving his family’s affection. Later accidentally discovered a dragon egg from the extinct dragon race amidst the gods’ war, forming a soul bond to become the Dragon Priestess, the northern goddess. Currently struggling to spread vtuber culture using fantasy magic.]

[1,269. Hwang Si-an (24), deceased: Former university student, unable to contain his joy at being transferred, collapsed onto a grassy field where he was bitten by a flea and infected with the plague. Villagers who noticed his plague symptoms locked him in a shed and burned him to death.]