My past, my homeland.

In modern Korea, there was a time when a mysterious psychological test called 'MBTI' suddenly became popular.

Many people said, "What kind of test is this without any scientific basis?"

But Korea is that kind of country.

A nation that has one of the world's top soccer players (Son) and a pro gamer (Faker) who's practically a modern deity.

There must have been something I didn't know.

In that MBTI test, people's personalities were broadly divided into two types.

Extroverted people (E) and introverted people (I).

By this point, everyone has probably figured it out, so what more should I say?

I was the quintessential frontrunner of 'I'.

For that reason, I loved staying in my room.

That's how it was in the past, and that's how it would be in the future.

But living in this world, there are things that 'can't be helped'.

Just like today, situations arise where you absolutely must go out.

Really.

Why do people have to go outside?

For some, it might be a philosophical question, and for others, a question related to livelihood.

In my case, it was neither.

Rather than 'philosophy' or 'livelihood'.

If I had to specify, I could say it was related to 'survival'.

I approached the wall and touched the window's light-blocking switch.

The dull, dark concrete wall color changed instantly.

The entire wall transformed into a glass window.

It was still too early to be evening, but.

The forest of massive skyscrapers visible outside the window was already brilliantly illuminated.

Neon signs of all nationalities were embedded throughout the buildings.

English was standard, followed by what appeared to be Japanese or Chinese slang characters.

Also, a mysterious giant hologram of a naked woman swam through the spaces between them.

The entire city looked like one big billboard.

Even though many years had passed since I started living in this city.

It was still amazing no matter how many times I saw it.

It was a reminder that I had entered a world inside a game.

But what I needed to see this time wasn't the city landscape.

I raised my head to look at the sky.

Beyond the ceiling shield.

"Oh."

It was filled with gray smog masses without a trace of blue light.

"As expected, the fine dust is terrible today too."

I could barely remember what sunlight felt like anymore.

It was a peaceful and ordinary cyberpunk weather day.

1. Living in a game. (3)

After I finished showering, Eve asked me.

[Are you going out right away, I ask.]

"Yeah."

Once I decided to go out, I couldn't be lukewarm about it.

The longer I stay still, the less I want to go out.

So the key was to move quickly.

Of course, the fact that the forced appointment time was approaching also added urgency to my actions.

I need to hurry.

There wasn't anything special about preparing to go out.

I put on clothes made with bulletproof specifications to block any stray bullets.

And just in case.

I grabbed a gun, packed three days' worth of emergency calorie bars and purification pills, took ampules containing nano-particle robots, and renewed my temporarily suspended civilian medical service.

Finally, I put on a cyberpunk-style smart mask with fine dust (including various biochemical attack) purification functions.

The cyberpunk mask didn't have flashing LED lights (though such products were more common, to be honest).

It just had many additional functions.

It was a bit stuffy, which was a disadvantage.

But who was I?

Wasn't I someone who had worn masks for a long time to avoid fine dust and various viruses that flew in from the continent long ago?

This didn't bother me much.

Unlike in modern Korea, mask fashion isn't essential here in Neon City.

Vagrants and criminals often wore them.

But that was for different reasons than health purposes.

People who wanted to block fine dust for health reasons preferred more efficient and direct methods than masks.

For example, installing filters directly into the respiratory system.

Or getting Implant surgery to exchange lungs for cyberware or bioware.

There were various methods.

Of course, orc-like races were exceptions.

Those folks were naturally very healthy from birth.

Many thought they didn't need masks.

Rather, if they wore masks, they might get shot for not being true to their green skin.

As for me...

I didn't want to replace my perfectly good lungs just to breathe less fine dust.

Another major reason was that my body's recovery speed was slow due to various negative characteristics.

It's not that there weren't ways to recover quickly.

But the side effects were significant, so I didn't bother thinking about it further.

Honestly, breathing in a lot of fine dust doesn't immediately raise health red flags.

It was easier to live with a cyberpunk mindset: if things go wrong, I'll replace my lungs then.

I finished my preparations for going out with that kind of attitude.

Eve spoke with a strangely reduced voice.

[Is this the basic preparation for humans going out, I ask.]

"You still don't know how dangerous it is outside."

[That sounds crazy, I think.]

"Hey now. No bad words."

This level of preparation was absolutely not excessive.

I like moderation too.

But that's just my subjective opinion.

Others might think I was slightly overdoing it.

But what did it matter?

It was much better than ending up in the hospital because I wasn't prepared. Especially considering hospital bills.

In this world, most things are basically privatized.

If you move around carelessly, it's hard to live your full lifespan.

"Well, shall we go?"

[I have confirmed.]

It's about time to leave.

Going out for the first time in a week.

'Hmm, I already don't want to go out.'

I opened the front door.

Just my luck.

A familiar "little boy" was walking in the corridor in front of my condominium.

And I closed the front door again.

"Oh geez. I closed it without thinking."

[I affirm.]

I didn't imagine that danger would come as soon as I opened the door.

I let out a deep sigh.

I had to open the door again anyway.

I quickly prepared myself mentally and slowly opened the door.

Then the kid said.

"Hey."

"...Yes."

"Do you close the door without greeting when you see someone's face?"

"Well, I was startled. I'm sorry, Elder Bill (Sr. Bill)."

A youthful voice.

But an aged tone that didn't match the childish voice.

"Didn't I tell you not to call me elder?"

"Ah, that... Hello, Mr. Bill."

"That's better."

Then at least speak like a child.

His name was Bill.

I don't know his full name. I'm not interested either.

He was a neighbor living on the same floor as me.

To define him in one sentence.

He's just a crazy person.

Gender: male.

Appearance: about 10 years old.

But his identity, unbelievably, is a 95-year-old elder.

But he hates being called elder.

He can be said to have outstanding individuality even in cyberpunk, where all kinds of strange people live.

"Where are you going?"

"...Just stepping out for a bit."

No matter how much I'm from a Confucian society and a law-abiding citizen who respects elders.

This person was a bit too much.

Anyone could see he was a kid.

The fact that I had to treat and respect him as an elder was difficult for me.

Moreover, he was also a rare pure-blooded old fogey in Neon City.

Additionally, he was a narrow-minded person who got angry when called elder, so I had to address him as "Mr."

No matter how unlucky I was.

To run into this person as soon as I opened the door...

"So where are you going?"

[Heart rate 120, 130, 140. Still rising.]

"...Ah. Going to see a friend."

"Is that so?"

Suddenly Bill smiles.

"Good. Don't just stay cooped up at home all the time, come out and get some fresh air. That guy looks normal but..."

"...Yes."

"When I was your age, I was never at home. That's the problem with people these days. They think they can do everything from home, so nobody comes out."

[I agree that while he seems mentally unstable, some of what he says about going out is correct.]

I wish they would both be quiet because it's annoying.

Both of them.

Fortunately, only I could hear Eve's voice. Otherwise, I would have been trapped listening to Bill's nagging for 30 minutes.

I quickly assessed the situation.

Once you start entertaining Bill's stories, there's no end to them.

It was important to cut him off at some point.

"So in the old days—"

"Um, Mr. Bill. I don't have much time left before my appointment..."

"Huh? You're talking like I'm holding you back."

"Hahaha."

You are holding me back, you crazy person...

But I didn't voice my thoughts.

Sometimes silence is also an answer.

"Well, go ahead then."

"Yes."

I moved my feet as I answered.

I needed to get away from Bill as quickly as possible.

It was fortunate that he let me go easily.

Maybe people talk more as they age?

Previously, I couldn't break away and was held up for over an hour.

If I weren't truly a Korean from a Confucian society, I would have smashed all his dental implants by now.

I controlled myself well. Good job, past me.

Only after getting into the elevator going down.

I let out a sigh of relief.

[Would you like me to start navigation guidance to the appointment location, I ask.]

"...No. I'll just take a taxi."

I already felt tired somehow.

It would have been fine to take public transportation, but it was getting late.

I decided to just take a taxi.

[Taxi... Are you sure that's okay?]

"Well, it's not like I don't have credits."

It should be fine.

* * *

It wasn't fine.

I honestly forgot how crazy Neon City taxis were.

First, the basic fare is charged as soon as you board the taxi.

And then on top of that...

+ Call fee.

+ Additional fee per distance.

+ Additional fee for leaving the area.

+ Evening time additional fee.

+ Mandatory tip.

And finally, the city tax was separate.

My head was spinning.

I lamented.

"At this rate, I might as well buy a car."

[Does that mean you'll go out more often, I hope.]

"...Yeah."

Not really.

Well, not exactly.