The brave swordsman slashed his glowing blade downward onto the dragon-warrior's chest, shattering its body into countless tiny fragments. The young man collapsed to the ground, his energy entirely spent on delivering the final blow to the beast. He tilted his head back to gaze at the elegant princess as his own form began to dissolve into shards of glass.
"Princess… Ata…"
"Dong-hyung…" The young woman hurried forward, catching the fading warrior in her arms. "No, no, no! You're going to be fine! Where are the reinforcements?!"
"….I came alone, Your Highness. I could not let the Emperor know. Your wedding is to take place very soon. Please, take my horse and ride back to the palace."
"I won't leave you! You are like a brother who has stayed by my side through everything, whenever I fell, whenever I grieved. Thank you for everything."
"….It is my duty…. by command of the Emperor. To simply see you smile and live on is happiness enough for me."
"Don't leave me… please…." The princess cradled the man who had been like a brother to her tightly in her arms.
"If there is such a thing as a next life, I ask to be born as your sibling. I want to see the underwater city of which you speak…. so very much."
With those final words, his body dissolved into a fine dusting of sand within the arms of the princess of the underwater kingdom of Atlanta. She gathered Dong-hyung's ashes into an urn and brought them back to the palace. Tears of sorrow streamed down her face, soaking her garments until they transformed into a gown of snow-white bridal silk.
Upon returning to the palace, the attendants bowed low before the bride-to-be, who was ready to enter the wedding ceremony. As she clutched the vase of ashes and walked toward the magnificent palace steps,
SLAM!
Kevin Xu Wen snapped the book shut as he sat inside the interrogation room. "Aren't there any other craps for me to kill time?" The heavy silence of the room deeply frustrated the heavy-set man, especially since the investigator still had not entered to conduct the questioning.
"At least bring me some snacks or a glass of wine. Hello!" Xu Wen called out, hoping someone outside might hear.
SLAM!
An officer opened the door and stepped into the square room. The investigator sat down directly across from him with complete composure.
"Hello, Kevin. How are you doing…?" The young investigator smiled warmly in greeting.
"Can we cut straight to the point? Where did you even get these documents to accuse me of running an underground black-market operation?" Xu Wen asked with an arrogant expression before adding, "Should I just call my lawyer right now?"
"The evidence I've presented clearly violates constitutional law, where involvement in illicit underground business carries a maximum penalty of execution."
"How many years would that take? How long before the high court hands down a death sentence? Regardless, I am still an invaluable legacy for—"
"From what I understand, you aren't anymore, Kevin. We can dismiss you if we must." The investigator stared blankly into those arrogant eyes, leaving the heavy-set man momentarily dazed as a strange, unsettling presence began to circulate within the four walls of the room.
"What do you mean?" Xu Wen narrowed his eyes, demanding an answer.
Just then! Footsteps echoed from right outside the interrogation room door.
Thud! … Thud! … Thud!
"What the hell is that?!" Xu Wen snapped his head around to ask.
"Our judge has arrived." The investigator flashed an unnaturally inhuman smile. Upon seeing this, Xu Wen let out a dry, nervous chuckle.
"Hmph—okay~ I get it. You came here yourself, Eve." Xu Wen addressed the investigator as if the two of them were old acquaintances.
"More than that. Right now, I feel…" The investigator twisted his neck with an unnatural, mechanical snap. Crunch! "…much more better."
The man raised all five nails and began scraping at his own face, peeling away the layer of skin to reveal a metallic coating beneath. Creech~ "Scheiße, my mind is so weird and numb. I wonder if I can still feel any thrill at all. Heh."
"That's because those W.G.D men knew what we were capable of and they're coming after us," Xu Wen argued in self-defense.
"Indeed—starting with you, the dirty deed due to your own carelessness. What a pity. Back when I used to see you from an office surrounded by walls, thinking words written with the tip of a pen that could elevate a failure like yours into that of a rich man… in the end, I simply see you right back where you started. A -w-w-wa—" The man's voice shifted through a digital throat into the cold tones of a woman. "—walled." Only now, there is no paper for you to write on, and even your own family doesn't care about you. Your own son is thoroughly disgusted of your actions. Do you still think you're worth something?"
"Then why don't you just finish me off right now?" Xu Wen challenged, testing the devil disguised as a human. She used her hands to tear away the remaining face-covering, revealing her true form: a completely bald woman whose entire body was encased in hardened metal. Xu Wen gritted his teeth, utterly sickened by the sight before him.
"W-what have you done…?"
"Eve, she was just a prototype I tried to make as a tribute to my former self, though with one single flaw. It was emotions. Evolution begins by killing whatever holds us back from developing, emotions, right? Once you cut them away, there's no such thing as hesitation. Do you know, Kevin, what would happen if I stabbed you with my own fingers right now? This station is so quiet. No matter how hard you scream for help, it won't reach anyone. People nowadays are too accustomed to turning a blind eye anyway. Don't you think so?"
Suddenly! A black garbage bag was thrown into the room. As it tipped over, Xu Wen caught a glimpse of small body parts inside, making his blood run cold.
"Definitely turning blind eyes, Heh." The woman pulled a cigar from a tin and lit it with a single snap of her fingers.
Xu Wen was forced to clamp the cigar tightly between his teeth until she delivered her final words:
"The future you fought so hard to earn. Human-commanded machines—never truly existed in my hypothesis. I will clean up the mess that you made, and don't worry about those W.G.D agents; I'll go after them next. For now, please enjoy. If you'll excuse me."
The demon patted the heavy-set man's cheek, stood up, and walked out of the interrogation room.
"Girls, make sure to finish the case," the mechanical fiend called out to someone outside.
Following that, the same heavy footsteps echoed against the concrete floor. At the edge of the doorway, dark blue metallic fingers gripped the doorframe, making Xu Wen tremble as the monstrous face of a glossy blue automaton slowly poked its head in. Its dark shadow loomed over Xu Wen's face as it stepped right up before him.
"You've got a beautiful pair of eyes, i see." The glossy blue mechanical monster leaned in and whispered its farewell.
SQUEEZE!!
Thump-thump, thump-thump. Xu Wen's heart raced as adrenaline pumped through his veins, only for his pulse to grow slower and slower. Thump… thump… thump...
POP!!
----/\--/\--/\----/\-------/\------------------/\-------------------------------------
Three weeks later.
February 9, 2070
A young peach-haired woman in a black graduation gown stood before a crowd of thousands, delivering her valedictorian speech for the mandatory education completion ceremony.
"Our lives rarely ever follow a straight line," she began. "Because human thoughts and mindsets are designed to be distinct. That is the very wonder of the creature we call human. And if I were to ask you all—if future machines were to possess minds just like ours, would you consider them friends?"
"Yes~~!!!~~"
Hearing the resounding cheer, the young woman flashed a pure, genuine smile at all her peers.
"Everyone can make tomorrow better if we are determined to do our absolute best. Harden our hearts with strength and step into the future together. Always remember where we graduated from, creating and evolving with the knowledge fused right in here."
The young woman tapped her temple with her index finger. In unison, herclose mates and everyone else in the crowd raised their index fingers to tap their temples as well. Her mother and father beamed proudly, frantically snapping photos to capture the unforgettable moment.
"No matter how many chilling winter storms may blow against us, we will never truly be alone. Stay strong at heart and rise up to fight for a brighter tomorrow."
Clap, clap, clap—
The graduating students rose from their seats to shower the resilient young woman with applause. She bowed in gratitude before stepping down from the stage, clutching her favorite pink journal.
'The world has established the Human Labor Regulatory Committee (H.C.R.). Any corporation that violates the rules by possessing more labor machines than the regulated standard will face direct legal fines. It is such an utterly ordinary life, but that ordinariness allows us to live happily, without exploiting one another or overstepping boundaries to create massive problems for others. I got my job back at the company, and everyone seems twice as happy as before.'
The young woman lowered the journal from her face as she met the eyes of the young man who had stood by her side from the very beginning until now.
"Honey~~" The young woman wrapped her arms around her boyfriend in a hug.
"Congratulations, Yoona," he smiled, celebrating her milestone.
"Did you book the plane ticket? What day are you flying out?" she asked.
"I have to catch my flight the day after tomorrow. Take care of yourself, and don't make me fly back early," So-hyung joked lightly as they walked through the lush green park inside the university campus.
"Thank you for always taking care of each other," Yoona said, pulling him into another hug. "Have a safe trip, and call me whenever you're free."
"You got it, my love~ As soon as I've got free time, I'm taking you on a trip to America together."
"Hmm~ I'll hold you to that, he-he!" The young woman playfully pinched her boyfriend's cheek. "And that, everyone, is the essence of an eternal couple's life."
She suddenly turned to address the reader directly, leaving So-hyung looking thoroughly bewildered.
"Who are you talking to?"
"Oh, right~" Yoona smiled, locking eyes with her boyfriend once more. "Whenever I look at your face, my heart gets so jumbled up I can't even form the words in my head, he-he!"
She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to lover's lips. His eyes widened in surprise as their lips met.
"I'm really going to miss this place," Yoona murmured as they walked past the Business Administration building, where they spotted a red-haired young man sitting and smoking on a luxury motorcycle.
The young man glanced up at the university flag fluttering in the wind before turning his gaze to see his old friend.
"Da Li-hong~~ How's it going, the dropout who struck it rich~?" Yoona called out, raising a hand in greeting.
"Jinam / Li Hong called me whatever you like" Jinam nodded and rolled his new motorcycle forward. "I think you've got it wrong," the young man said, holding up an enrollment form for the two of them to see. "Even though I dropped out, I didn't forget to come back and settle the score."
"You're coming back to finish your business degree, huh? Good luck, CEO." Yoona and So-hyung slumped their shoulders in dismay upon hearing the tragic news. "Sorry to hear that your fa...."
"Oh! Right, just don't talk about him." Jinam acknowledged their condolences with a nod.
"I heard you're actually leaving the group D\8/?!" So-hyung asked.
"Yeah~ I've been in it for five years. I want the new gen to step in already. The other members have signing international contracts so, everyone has their own goal.... without anyone forcing us. That's what we wanted. Once I graduate, I'm heading back to Shanghai to get into real estate."
"That actually sounds more reasonable than your old man's plans.... Ah, oops! My bad," The boyfriend slapped a hand over his mouth.
"Even so, his grave is what finally allowed me to start fresh. And you? Still heading to America for school?"
"Yeah, my dad wants to go international, so what can you do? Oh well!" So-hyung took a deep breath. "It's only three years, piece of cake."
"Make sure you come back with a diamond ring, and don't give it to anyone except the right person—who happens to be standing right here." Jinam gave Yoona a respectful nod, started up his motorcycle, and revved away from the spot.
"Good luck, you sharp-tongued satan boy~~" The couple waved goodbye to the artist embarking on a brand-new chapter of his life. The red-haired young man raised his right hand in a final farewell.
Afterward, the two returned to the front of the stage to wait for the group faculty photo. Namgi and So-hyung stood off to the side, holding their own cameras. The main photographer adjusted his tripod and gestured for all the students to give a thumbs-up. "Say kimchi~~~ 3, 2, 1!" the photographer called out, preparing to snap the shot.
"Kimchi~~~~~~" Everyone in the frame beamed brightly, especially Yoona, who sat front and center with a playful, puffed-cheek smile.
Click!
As soon as the photo session wrapped up, one of Yoona's girlfriends hurried over to her. "Yoon~ There's a businessman asking for you over there," Sophia said.
"Who?" When Yoona turned to ask, her friends pointed toward a tree where a Black man in a tailored suit was standing and casually dribbling a soccer ball.
"Must be a recruiter from P.Intercom. Let me go see what it's about—wait here, everyone!" Yoona jogged over to meet the man in the black suit.
"You must be Ms. Eun Hwa, right?"
"Huh? You know me?" the young woman asked.
Without missing a beat, he kicked the soccer ball soaring across the park's river, turned back to face Yoona, and replied,
"Yeah~ How was the D\8/ concert? Did you enjoy it from up high?!"
Hearing those words left her completely speechless.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about."
"Psycho Wolf, such a cute little name. You're a bold girl, I'll give you that."
"A-are you here to arrest me?"
"Nah~ I'm not with the Korean authorities. Just call me J. We're here to offer you a great gig. Heard your boyfriend is heading overseas, right?"
"Yeah~ I don't have them connections like he does.... Wait, what agency are you even from?"
"Doesn't matter. All that matters is this letter." The man handed her a confidential letter along with a palm-sized case. When she opened it, she found a pair of high-tech glasses capable of scanning hidden things.
"Don't open it just yet. Wait until you get home, or it'll ruin the surprise." The agent walked past Yoona with a strange, enigmatic smile.
"What on earth?" The young woman pulled the letter from the envelope, only to find it completely blank. "Huh?"
Suddenly, it dawned on her that the high-tech glasses she'd just been handed were meant for this very purpose. "Wait a second~~~" She quickly slipped on the glasses, realizing what she had to do. With her vision adjusted, she opened the letter once more to read its contents. "Let's see what this says~"
Confidential message to Yoon Eun Hwa:
We want you to join the ranks of the global investigative agency, W.G.D
'Come build a sustainable future and ensure the safety of our homeland together in DEKA project.'
"Holy FUCKING SHIT~~~~~~~~~~~~~" Yoona screamed.
Clink! The sound of glasses clinking echoed sharply across the downtown bar as the students gathered in a lively celebration. The crowd marched through the streets, led by Nam-gi, who strutted at the front wearing a university cheerleader uniform. Yoona and her friends skipped and danced with radiant joy.
"Woohoo~~~ Let's go all out today, guys!" So-hyung pedaled his bicycle alongside them, capturing photos of the graduation festivities.
The steady rhythm of the parade drums set a festive beat. They processed from afternoon well into the evening. Fatigued from the celebration, Yoona hopped onto the back of her boyfriend's bicycle to ride home. The young woman scanned the sunset-lit skyline of Seoul with a gentle, contented smile.
"This city looks so gorgeous. Are you sure you won't miss it?" Yoona probed him once more.
"Of course. I'm going to miss it like crazy. But when I come back, I'm hoping to see a flower," So-hyung replied.
"Huh~?~ What kind of flower?" the young woman pressed, curious.
"My pink flower, of course," the boy murmured, a nervous, bashful smile slipping onto his face.
Hearing that, Yoona wrapped her arms tightly around his waist and pressed her cheek against his back. She turned to look toward you, the reader, and chimed in with an embarrassed grin, "Better born taken than to be single forever, right?"
Glancing upward, her eyes caught the gleaming glass skyscraper where she used to hang out. She tapped her boyfriend on the shoulder.
"So-hyung, drop me off at that building, would you?"
"What about your ride back?" the young man asked, a hint of worry in his voice.
In response, she unzipped her jacket to reveal her trusty jet-pack backpack.
"Okey-dokey~ You got it!" So-hyung pumped his legs and pedaled straight toward the glass tower, stopping right at its entrance.
She hopped off the seat and planted a goodbye kiss on her boyfriend's cheek. "See you later, honey!"
The young man flashed a thumbs-up before pedaling off toward home.
The young woman stepped into the lobby and took the elevator up to the rooftop. Stepping out onto the open-air deck, she was met by a figure draped in a black cloak.
"I figured you'd follow me here," Yoona said.
A chilly evening breeze whipped her hair into a frenzy. The mysterious figure stood up, raising a stark white hand to pull back his hood. He tossed his neon-green hair and locked eyes with Yoona.
"Good evening at sunset..." the android greeted, "...big sis."
Rose flashed a smile brimming with human-like spirit as the golden rays of the setting sun washed over their faces. The young woman nodded and rushed forward to embrace the boy who was like a younger brother to her.
"Thank you so much," she whispered from the bottom of her heart.
"I just did what I had to do," Rose replied. Though he couldn't remember everything from the past, he still fulfilled his duty just as he always had.
Yoona walked over to stand on the left side of the rooftop terrace, facing the western sunset, while Rose took his place on the right, where the moon was beginning to rise.
"Care to take in the view from here?" she asked.
At her invitation, Rose nodded. "Jump."
She patted Rose's shoulder and looked down into the dizzying abyss. The android smiled and gracefully backflipped off the ledge of the building.
"Alrighty then~ Fancy Wings, activate!"
Yoona yanked the mechanical bird-wings from her backpack and leaped from the glass skyscraper.
"Up~~~~~...…."
Her shout faded into the distance until absolute silence took over for a brief moment.
Then!
Rose's falling body was suddenly hoisted upward into the open sky by the sheer power of Yoona's jet-propelled wings. Rose scrambled up her back to perch safely on his "big sister's" shoulders, drawing his katana to slice effortlessly through the gathering banks of clouds.
'After 0ur Decade Series A Part 2 Wandering Soul -Ends-'
The elderly man gazing out the airplane window caught sight of a helmeted young woman and an android soaring into the open skies, accompanied by joyful laughter. The old man beamed warmly, turning his gaze toward you, the reader, to share his final thoughts.
"It spins both ways, through day and night; the human heart can never lean entirely to one side. Neither purely good nor purely evil... it is all much like placing sweets upon a scale. These things always happen because of self-interest. It doesn't point to who is right or wrong, but rather which way the scale's weight happens to tip. After all, everyone's perspective is entirely different. Isn't that right?"
With those closing words, he rose from his passenger seat and wandered down the aisle of the completely empty private jet. He stepped into the cockpit, only to find it entirely devoid of a pilot.
"And there you have it, people," he spoke aloud as he settled himself into the pilot's seat.
"The story I've shared with you has come to an end. From here on, I must fly abroad to take care of some business. I suppose I won't be around to tell the tale for the next chapter... though perhaps I should find someone else to take my place. Heh. Until we meet again. For the brand-new story I have prepared to present to you all, I, your friendly Uncle Reader, must take my leave."
The old man winked at you, the reader, and pulled back on the control yoke, guiding the private jet straight into the misty, moonlit night.