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Lately, it feels like time is speeding up even more.

Perhaps it’s because even time, entranced by the dynamic flow of events, is hurriedly dragging itself along.

But forgetfulness is the universal cure for all mental ailments, and just those few days had my slightly tangled thoughts settling down nicely.

It feels like my already resilient mental state has been further tempered.

I don’t need to stew over galactic affairs for 365 days; I can simply move forward on the best path I can choose.

So, I decided to tackle my tasks one by one, step by step.

Things I need to do.

“Hmmm, where should I start?”

Soul Warfare broadcasting? But I just declared a break, didn’t I?

Sure, some viewers might be happy, but no doubt there’ll also be those snickering, questioning why I’ve returned, wondering if I crawled back because of content shortage.

Nah, it’s not like I’m in such desperate need to stream right now; I wanted to wrap up some other matters first.

But considering those other matters, they seemed rather lightweight for someone like me, who maintained a carefree lifestyle.

I am pretty much the pinnacle of the slack lifestyle, aren’t I? Few people are as comfortable as someone unburdened by financial pressure.

Then my eyes landed on the virtual reality capsule.

Thanks to my management, it stood there in all its untainted, sleek glory, showcasing its presence in the room.

“Speaking of which….”

I still haven’t bought it.

“Wait a second. Was that for real?”

“Of course it was real, would I joke about that?”

At my answer, Dayoung’s eyes went wide with disbelief.

The capsule before us, which the installation engineers were busy setting up, was the Momes virtual reality premium limited edition.

So this model is…

“I mean, this is the same model as yours, right? It’s limited edition, isn’t it?”

“Just because it’s limited doesn’t mean they can never make it again.”

They had made it a one-off type in limited quantities to sell at a premium price, but with a bit of cash in hand, they agreed to let me have it.

Ajin got one too, so why shouldn’t the others?

It’s unacceptable for my friends to use shabby virtual reality devices; it just won’t do for my pride.

“Dayoung, how long are you going to keep using that cheap Chinese model? You should enjoy a proper virtual reality life once and for all. Right?”

“Cheap Chinese? I bought that from a decent maker as a budget model! You just dissed my class status!”

“Well then, let me elevate you from commoner to rich!”

“Eek!”

As Dayoung’s earlobes turned red, I gently pinched her cheek while keeping an eye on the installation work.

Even if I didn’t know the details, it was essential for the person who would own it to keep watch for things to go smoothly.

“Well, it should be wrapping up soon.”

The rooms of Jihye and Yoori were already set up.

With Dayoung’s room being the last, the massive capsule was being installed smoothly.

Seeing the others set up like this after Ajin, it filled me with a sense of profound emotion.

Five heroes enjoying a luxurious virtual reality life in premium limited edition models.

Yeah, it’d be fun if we could all gather in one place in virtual reality.

“I was too indifferent.”

“Huh? Why suddenly?”

“You and Ajin are fine, but Jihye and Yoori probably had a hard time. I should’ve done this sooner.”

“Hmm, well. Even considering that, it does feel a bit generous, but it’s probably nothing for you, so I won’t complain.”

I’m ready to give up now. I’ll accept it.

Muttering that to myself, I gave Dayoung’s cheek a light pinch.

No, that’s not it.

Money is just a means. What’s important is mental care.

Especially since Yoori probably finds it hard to go out; it must be incredibly boring for her.

“Am I maybe a teenage abuser?”

“Why, because of Yoori?”

“Yeah, she can’t even go outside. I should have taken action sooner.”

Despite having a TV and a smartphone, being cooped up alone in a room has its limits.

Communication is all about sharing moments face to face, and I worried that living like this at such a sensitive age might feel like a prison without bars.

I should’ve at least ensured she could socialize with others in virtual reality.

“Thinking about it, I feel like I’ve made her live like a servant even though she’s still young. No matter how voluntary it was, I can’t help but feel guilty.”

“Living comfortably in a high-end penthouse all year round, with monthly allowances in the hundreds of thousands, and yet you’re self-doubting as a teenage abuser? Parents everywhere would be heartbroken hearing that. You shouldn’t say such things.”

“…….”

While the two of us whispered back and forth, the agent who had finished installing came over to us.

“Here’s your ID card. Please insert it into the access point before entering the capsule; you can then access it using the virtual ID in the card. If you lose it, while no one else can use it, you can contact customer service, and we’ll issue you a new card. I’ll leave the manual here. Please read it before use. And here…”

“Oh, thank you.”

After signing the contract, the agent handed over two cards.

Three devices and two cards. One was empty, but it didn’t matter.

Originally, this was meant to be used without identity verification, so it wasn’t needed for Dayoung, who would be proudly enjoying her identity verification.

Right. This card was for Jihye and Yoori’s exclusive virtual IDs.

Among the hero party, they were the only two who hadn’t restored their IDs.

Yoori can’t go outside yet because of her curse, so the restoration of her ID naturally gets pushed to the future.

Jihye could technically be ready now, but it seems she wanted to wait a bit longer.

Even if it’s virtual reality, the norm would be to generate an MS Room and ID through personal verification of one’s identity.

But it seems the company guarantees the issuance of virtual IDs that can be used without personal identification for select VVIPs… or so I’ve heard.

For me, as someone who continuously bought limited edition premium models, there’s no big issue.

“By now, Jihye and Yoori are probably fiddling around with it, right?”

But still, since it’s an expensive item, they’d be curious enough to at least touch it.

Nowadays, virtual reality services are so good.

Whether it’s studying, playing in a band, video editing, composing, or filming, everything is possible.

Let’s gather after dinner.

“Wow, I’m actually going to use this one day.”

Watching Dayoung circle around the capsule, inspecting every corner after the engineers left, I couldn’t help but smile.

“All together, it cost about 500 million, though.”

Seeing her so happy… it’s all good.

“Hmmm.”

Jihye, looking slightly awkward while glancing around, decided to do a simple stretch.

“This feels different from reality.”

Even the simplest stretch felt effortless; there was no feeling of being out of breath despite the quick movements.

It was almost like her body was floating. As Jihye cleared her throat, she tried singing a song with a fast tempo and high notes.

It was a type where if you sang with all your might, you’d get breathless.

But just as with the recent exercise, her beautiful voice flowed smoothly, as if her lung capacity wasn’t an issue.

“Wow, incredible. What kind of principle is this?”

Are Sehee and Dayoung really enjoying something this entertaining all this time?

No, more importantly, I’m wondering what Ajin finds so bothersome that she’s letting an expensive capsule sit unused.

I imagined the extreme picture of a slacker rolling around on the floor, leaving editing to a doppelganger at the computer, and clicked my tongue in disapproval.

“Didn’t Sehee say that since it’s an expensive device, this room would come decked out beautifully?”

Indeed, the room was luxuriously decorated, rivaling Sehee’s penthouse.

As she manipulated the hologram console displaying before her, Jihye became engrossed, searching for something.

“Wow, there are so many options.”

A vast array of icons showcasing various features.

Sehee’s claim that you can do everything you want is no lie.

As she scrolled down, Jihye’s eyes gleamed with precision as she spotted an icon tucked away in the corner.

“This is it!”

As she tapped it, a loading screen popped up, filling the percentage gauge.

“I wonder how it’ll turn out.”

It was tough to gauge when looking at it on a computer.

With her eyes sparkling in excitement like a child unwrapping a present, the percentage gauge reached 100%, and the entire space began to morph.

“Oh!”

The transformation into a sci-fi feeling of virtual reality began.

It was like the incredibly fine graphics were disassembling and reassembling, as the dazzling MS Room shattered, changing into a new tailored space.

From the floor to the walls, and up to the ceiling.

The space was optimized according to the features embodied in the icon she executed.

When the loading ended and the room reconfigured, Jihye’s eyes widened.

Bright lights, camera equipment, and a variety of instruments, including guitars, basses, drums, and keyboards, filled the space.

While there was no recording studio, the holographic console already mounted on the wall served as a faithful interface to substitute for real-world recording equipment.

I was so overwhelmed by the huge wave of shock that I couldn’t think straight; I just wanted to drop everything and live off Sehee’s money like a parasite.

“This is… virtual reality?”

With her eyes practically bulging at the culmination of modern technology that Sehee had burned 500 million on, Jihye cried out in awe.

“I’ve lost half my life!”

 

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