170 – The Returner’s Wandering (6)

“Of course, the era of the player does not mean that we will dominate the common people. “I am an American, and I am a person who values freedom above all else.”

Michael Jeter speaks in a dry voice without any change in facial expression.

“But right now, we humans are not investing anything in climbing the ‘tower.’ The government picks one person at a time and makes them a hero, then evades responsibility by saying, ‘That person will do everything.’ “Maybe you, Choi Ji-won, can sympathize.”

“… “

Choi Ji-won, Korea’s representative player. She received an award from the president, and she was a celebrity known to the entire nation, but… She has not received any material support from the government. When she tried to give something, she said, ‘There are no relevant laws, so active support is not possible. She would say things like, ‘I’m sorry,’ and when she needed help, she would say things like, ‘People can feel safe only if you attend.’

He probably realized that Choi Ji-won is a good person. In fact, the lack of related laws may have played a role.

“This is not just a problem for Korea or the United States. No country in the world is seriously thinking about the ‘tower’ issue. Their focus is on using ‘players’ and they are not interested in attacking the tower itself.”

Michael Jeter takes out his cell phone from his pocket and places it on the table. There are strings arranged in a mess on the screen.

“This is a conversation with governments around the world. From the beginning of my term as president of the association, I have insisted on increasing support for players. But the answer I got back was cold. “Maybe they will realize that I am nothing more than a scarecrow.”

As Jeter swiped his finger across the cell phone screen, a player distribution map collected by the association itself was displayed.

“I think every human who passes the tutorial should climb the tower. I think we need to become stronger. The name player was also part of it. The purpose was to reduce the burden on those trying to climb the tower and encourage a sense of challenge by giving the feeling of playing a game. “It didn’t work, though.”

“So… What do you want to do? I understand that they want to raise players to prevent the monsters that will follow. But how are you going to make me climb the tower?”

“Money and fame. These two things must be given to you. Anyway, you can get all the one-dimensional pleasures on the first floor. We must offer more than that.”

Michael Jeter sends a heavy document to Choi Ji-won’s email.

“Please read this later. This is a document that summarizes my plans. “It probably won’t be difficult to understand.”

“… Great. It’s good. I understand your plan. “I understand what your intention was.”

Since the flow of the story kept shifting to Michael Jeter, I felt it was necessary to cut it off at this point.

“But why did you come to us in the first place? “Didn’t you say you needed help?”

“That’s right.”

“But do you need our help with your ‘plan’? After all, aren’t you the president of the players’ association? “If monsters appear, your influence will naturally increase.”

“… Although this is the story in the document I gave you, I think it would be good to explain it in advance. I hope you will give strength to the ‘Players Association’. “To be precise, not the current players’ association, but the players’ association that I will create in the future.”

“Please explain in more detail.”

“I plan to create player ratings and determine rankings.”

“… Grade?”

“Yes. The highest grade will be grade S, and the lowest grade will be grade F. We will create a system where high-level players will be treated like celebrities and receive the treatment they deserve, while low-level players will not be treated as such. “Everyone will aspire to a high level and the structure will be to climb to the top.”

“… “

“The Players Association will act as an organization to control players and assist them in climbing the tower. The ultimate goal is to redirect all of the planet’s tax dollars currently wasted on defense to the players.”

This is… Isn’t this the hunter rating system that only appears in web novels? This is the rating system that appears in novels such as ‘F-level hunters become SSS-level hunters!’

“In addition, there are plans for the governments of each country to spend extra money to purchase items from the tower, and to create a specialized educational institution to teach combat. “You can find out more by reading that document.”

Wow. Michael Jeter naturally gets up from his seat when his cell phone rings.

“I hope you all trust me. It would be best to work together to prepare for the future… Even if that’s not the case, I hope you don’t disturb me. If there is a better way, I’ll listen. But I think this is the best for now.”

“Are you leaving?”

“Yes. “I have a next appointment.”

He stood in exactly the same spot as when he first appeared in this living room, and bowed his head to us.

“We are moving for the benefit of all humanity. That’s it. If you have any suggestions, please send them to the previous email.”

As soon as I finished speaking, I hooked! Michael Jeter disappears. After the storm passes, silence falls in the living room.

“Uhm… “

“Hmm… “

Choi Ji-won and I were silently looking down at the table, sighing. Because I desperately needed time to organize my thoughts.

Michael Jeter’s plan is simple. To create a world where players are treated well. It’s like a world in a web novel where life blooms as long as you become a hunter.

But where will the money needed for such grand plans come from? It will come from the existing government. But will governments around the world simply invest huge amounts of money? Rather than investing money in players, wouldn’t they try to use the missiles and guns they already have?

I don’t know much about politics, but… I can tell that this won’t be easy.

“… In the end, we will either wage a public opinion war or go on an armed protest.”

Although Michael Jeter didn’t say it directly, he was clearly preparing for a war to take control. He mentioned that he would change the ‘era.’ What choice should I make here? Will monsters really appear? What is Michael Jeter going to do? The future is infinitely more uncertain.

The best option here is… The idea is to wait 10 months and see how the world changes.

“So what I’m saying is, how about taking this opportunity to just take a break for 10 months? By observing how the world changes, we see whether monsters really appear or whether we made a mistake. “Isn’t that reasonable?”

Actually, from my perspective, I wanted to take some rest these days. Should I say I’m exhausted? It would be appropriate to say that you are sick of having a huge rock of responsibility weighing down on your shoulders.

“I’ve been a little tired these days, too. You too, right? Let’s just use this opportunity to do whatever we want to do. If a monster appears… You might not be able to rest anymore at that time, right? People will die too. I think this is my last vacation… ”

“Junho.”

“Huh?”

Choi Ji-won interrupts me. There is something unusual in the voice.

“Junho. I’ll be honest. “I don’t want you to stay out of reality for 10 months.”

“… “What does that mean?”

“What were you planning to do while resting?”

“That’s right… Put aside your responsibilities for a moment… Play some games. Eat delicious food. You may not be able to let go of everything and rest, but… Still, I tried to just stay for a while, feeling like I was taking a break.”

“Am I by your side too?”

“That’s natural. “We are partners.”

I felt a little embarrassed saying this, but I still thought it was something I had to say. Actually, I thought about using a more unfamiliar expression, but it was a bit embarrassing.

“I think that’s the problem.”

However, in complete contrast to me blushing, Choi Ji-won was gently biting her lip.

“I… “I hope we don’t stick together too long.”

“… “You know that the tone of that word is very strange, right?”

“It doesn’t mean what you think. What I’m worried about is… “It’s a return.”

“Regression?”

“The reason I can be your companion is because of regression, right?”

Choi Ji-won speaks while holding Bungbung tightly and looking at the floor.

“The reason we return together is… Because you feel strong feelings for me. Same goes for me. Because we love each other.”

“… However?”

“I’m happy too. Sleep together, wake up together, eat delicious food, go to fun places… Every moment is precious. I like seeing you happy rather than seeing you struggling or broken. But… “

Choi Ji-won’s strong hands are shaking slightly.

“Someday…” When you repeat the regression a lot, all those precious moments become a familiar daily routine… What if it doesn’t feel special anymore?”

“… “

“It’s not a heart-pounding love… What if we just get closer to the warm family bond? What if we become so familiar with each other? Will I be able to return even then? Would your return consider it a ‘strong emotion’?”

Choi Ji-won.

She was worried that her accompanying return would be cut off.