Surviving Among the Letters

Vrrrr.

We were inside an elevator heading to the top floor.

Since we had to reach nearly the 60th floor, the ride was taking some time.

Ding!

Finally, the elevator doors opened, revealing a long corridor lined with numerous security guards.

As we stepped out of the elevator, one of the guards approached us.

“Miss Luca, do you have business with the chairman?”

Luca simply held up her phone, showing him a message.

“Understood. It’s good to see you as well, Dr. Messier. And who might this young lady be?”

“The one my grandfather asked to see,” Luca replied curtly.

“May I conduct a body search and ability verification for security purposes?”

The security here, as expected for the entrance to the chairman’s office, was extremely strict.

Even a twelve-year-old like me wasn’t exempt from a body search or an ability check.

The problem was, my ability hadn’t been officially registered yet.

Should I explain, or just keep quiet?

As I debated internally, a commanding voice boomed from further down the corridor.

“Let them through.”

Everyone’s attention turned to the source of the voice. An elderly man in a wheelchair was being pushed toward us.

“But, Chairman…”

“What do you mean ‘but’? She’s my guest, and I told you to let her in.”

“Still, without proper safety checks—”

“If this little girl manages to kill me, it’ll be natural causes, you fool. And even if she slapped me, it’d probably be fatal. Are you planning to check for that too?”

“…No, sir.”

“Then let them through. Honestly.”

The guard, unable to argue further, stepped aside.

The chairman turned his wheelchair and began rolling down the corridor, and we silently followed him.

◆◇◆◇◆

“What’s your name again?”

“Blanco Atreia.”

As we walked, the chairman turned to me and began a conversation.

“Messier’s daughter, huh? Never heard of him having a kid your age.”

“I’m adopted.”

“Since when?”

“This morning.”

“Hah! So, Messier made you an offer today?”

“Yes.”

“And then, all excited, he called Dongbaek to gather everyone, right?”

“I think so. He called him ‘old man,’ if that helps.”

“That’s him. Hah! Messier must’ve been over the moon, wasn’t he?”

The chairman turned his attention to Messier, whose face lit up with an awkward smile.

“N-not that excited, really…”

“Anyway, you’ve accepted her, clearly. What about you, Luca?”

“I approve too. She doesn’t act like a typical twelve-year-old. She’s willing to use other kids as test subjects to save her friend.”

It seemed Luca had already figured out my true nature.

Internally, I was a twenty-something college student, after all.

“So, she’s already lacking morality. Kid, do you agree with that?”

“…Probably, yes.”

Objectively, yes, my morality was compromised. But I wished he’d consider the fact that this was a fictional world. Not that I could say that aloud.

“Well, lacking morality isn’t necessarily a problem. You’re not trying to be some hedonistic villain, right?”

“No, sir.”

“Good. Then let’s have a proper discussion.”

As we spoke, we arrived at the entrance to the chairman’s office.

Two guards stood by the door, which opened automatically as the chairman approached.

Inside, a massive circular glass window offered a stunning view of Pyongyang.

“Take a seat wherever you like.”

Messier and I settled onto the plush sofa, while Luca remained standing by our side, visibly uneasy.

The chairman positioned his wheelchair in front of us, with the window framing him from behind.

“Do you know what the Star Cluster is about?”

“The director said it’s a group of people striving for impossible goals.”

“That’s correct. But tell me—how many people in this world do you think have impossible goals? Shouldn’t they all be part of the Star Cluster? And yet, we remain a small group. Why do you think that is?”

“…Because they lack the ability?”

“If we chose members based on ability alone, you wouldn’t have made it in. What kind of abilities does a kid like you have?”

“…Then why?”

“What kind of organization do you think we are? A villainous group bent on world destruction? A shadowy syndicate ruling the underworld? Or perhaps a necessary evil for the sake of progress?”

None of those.

If they were, the Star Cluster would’ve played a much larger role in the original novel.

“The foundation of the Star Cluster, both then and now, remains the same: we’re a social club.”

“…A social club?”

I couldn’t hide my surprise. That was the last thing I expected.

“Exactly. A social club. Rule number four of the Star Cluster—recite it, Luca.”

“…‘Within the bounds of the rules, members must help one another.’”

“Correct. Now, kid, could you help a complete stranger pursue their impossible dream?”

“No.”

Absolutely not. I’m no hero.

Even heroes would struggle with that. Sometimes, forcing someone to face reality isn’t entirely wrong.

“That’s why Star Cluster members must all be close, like family.”

At this, Luca’s expression darkened further, but the chairman continued undeterred.

“That’s why every member must approve of you. So, kid, do you think you’re someone everyone can accept?”

“…No.”

“Why not?”

“Why? Because my goal isn’t impossible. It doesn’t really align with the Star Cluster, does it?”

“What’s your goal?”

“To save my friend Remi.”

“And what’s her condition?”

“She was frozen as a cryogenic patient just before dying of a brain tumor. I need to find a cure.”

“That doesn’t sound impossible… Messier, were you overreacting?”

Messier quickly jumped to his own defense.

“No, no… It’s the cure itself that’s impossible. That’s why.”

“Explain.”

“If my ability-creation experiment succeeds, I’ve promised to give her regenerative abilities. Doesn’t that count as an impossible cure?”

“Fair enough. That qualifies. But kid, you seem to think it’s entirely achievable, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm…”

The chairman fell silent, his gaze distant as he mulled over something.

A minute passed before he broke the silence with another question.

“Then tell me, kid. What would you consider an impossible goal? Surely, you’re not some optimist who thinks nothing is unattainable.”

“Hmm…”

I hadn’t really thought about it.

“In that case, think about what comes after you’ve cured your friend Remi,” he continued.

“After waking her up?”

Once she wakes up, I’ll probably… return to reality, right?

…

Return to reality?

“You’ve thought of something, haven’t you?”

I hadn’t considered what returning to reality would mean.

It’s such a common trope, isn’t it?

If someone gets transported into a novel, there’s always a way back—meeting a god, finding the author, or automatically returning once the story ends.

But if I go back… what happens to Remi?

No. That’s not acceptable.

“I…”

“Don’t speak just yet,” the chairman interrupted. “You haven’t sorted out your thoughts, have you?”

“…No.”

“Take some time to organize them. When we reach Dongbaek Island, you can explain yourself to the other members.”

“Yes, sir.”

“For now, I’ll give you my approval.”

“Really?”

Messier and Luca’s simultaneous surprise at the chairman’s statement was almost comical.

“Yes. If Luca has already approved, I trust her judgment. And all my questions have been answered.”

“Thank you… Grandfather.”

“Messier, if it had only been your recommendation, this would’ve taken much longer. How is it that you’re older than Luca but still so clueless?”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sarcastic, you fool. And let Dongbaek know I won’t be able to make it to the island.”

“Why not, Grandfather?”

“You brat. Do you know how much strain it puts on my body to fly at my age, even in a wheelchair? No, of course you wouldn’t. You’ve still got decades to go before you get to my age.”

“No… Grandfather, that’s not what I meant…”

“Sigh. I didn’t raise my granddaughter to be this cold-hearted… Someone’s been a bad influence… It’s you, Messier, isn’t it?”

“Chairman Alec, that’s not fair. I’m always stuck in the lab. How could I possibly influence her?”

“This is the 21st century, you idiot. People manage long-distance relationships just fine these days.”

“Grandfather,” Luca interjected sharply.

The atmosphere, which had been lighthearted, suddenly froze over as Luca’s expression darkened. Her icy gaze turned toward the chairman.

“Grandfather…”

“Luca, wait…”

“There are things you can say and things you can’t. And what was that? Relationships? Me? With Messier?”

“I… misspoke. Must be old age…”

“Let’s go, Blanco. There’s no need to waste time on an old man like this.”

“Wait, Luca… Don’t go. It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other.”

Ignoring the chairman’s pleas, Luca grabbed my hand and strode toward the door.

I couldn’t help but wonder just how much she disliked being associated with Messier to react this strongly.

“Hold on. I have one last thing to say to the kid,” the chairman called out.

Luca paused, and we stopped in our tracks.

The chairman wheeled himself toward us, stopping just a step away.

“Kid—no, Blanco. Since I’ve accepted you, let me formally introduce myself. My name is Alec Cortes. I’m a scientist striving to uncover the origins of life. Welcome to the Star Cluster. I look forward to working with you.”

“Thank you, Chairman Alec.”

“Satisfied? Can we go now?” Luca asked coldly.

“Yes, yes. Go ahead.”

With that, Messier, Luca, and I left the chairman behind as we exited the office.