Chapter 188

was the VR game that the most people enjoyed in human history.

Its realism was so impressive that it was hard to believe it was a first-generation VR game.

The technology was so extraordinary that it was said not to belong to this world’s science. This technology led directly to the second generation, creating a renaissance for VR games.

It pioneered the commercialization of capsules and fulfilled the dreams of gamers.

Even people who knew nothing about games played , making it nothing short of a revolution at the time.

I took a sip of the water in front of me and quietly listened to the presentation by the head of SD Corporation’s planning team.

“If only the existing users return, the impact will be very strong. There are still countless users who miss Gaia Online, and we cannot estimate the number of expected returning users worldwide.”

“Can you get to the point quickly? Everyone here already knows about Gaia Online’s influence.”

“The first content we’ve prepared for is this.”

At those words, a massive dragon appeared on the screen.

A being with countless tails and glowing yellow eyes.

It was the Apocalypse Dragon.

A visual that I could never forget.

I had recently faced it in an advertisement, and now it was back in this form.

I frowned slightly at the sight of the Apocalypse Dragon and carefully asked him.

“Is this content related to the Apocalypse Dragon?”

“Yes, it is, Shia.”

“That’s a bit uncomfortable.”

“Hahaha!”

“Haha.”

The slightly tense atmosphere eased with my words.

The Apocalypse Dragon and I had… a complicated relationship.

It was the entity that turned into a villain and brought my gaming life to an end.

However, because of the Apocalypse Dragon, I was able to save Jin-hyuk, and our brotherly lives could continue.

It was my beginning and end.

A nasty creature connected to everything.

What kind of content are they planning with that lizard?

The head of the planning team glanced at my face and continued the presentation smoothly.

“When Gaia Online ended its service, it did so with the expression that the world was destroyed by the Apocalypse Dragon.”

The end of , which had monopolized the world and ended the era of PC games to open the era of VR games, was surprisingly shabby.

None of the users could stop the Apocalypse Dragon.

Dong-su’s raid, which had the highest probability of clearing, failed, so there was nothing other raids could do.

Why bring up that story now?

Since I had the biggest share in the destruction, hearing that story here made me a bit uncomfortable.

But soon, the words of the planning team head made my heart start pounding involuntarily.

“So our team thought about it a lot. On what pretext could we revive the closed world and create an impactful opening. Thanks to the full support from the CEO, our plans were gradually built up, and finally, today, we are able to announce them to you all.” ꞦÀꞐộ𝐛È𝘚

The little flattery was just a bonus.

And shortly after.

Some very appealing details came from his mouth.

“The background story of this event is as follows. Although the world was destroyed by the Apocalypse Dragon, the creator regretted it and turned back time. The souls of the already deceased heroes were revived, and they were given another chance to stop the Apocalypse Dragon.”

A plausible story.

Well, being a fantasy genre game, any story could work.

The only odd thing was that this opportunity was given years later.

This time, the planning team head looked me straight in the eye and smiled.

“Reassembling the best raid team in Gaia Online worldwide, successfully raiding the Apocalypse Dragon, conquering the worst enemy that was never conquered in Gaia Online, and opening a new world. That’s what we have prepared.”

“Isn’t it beneficial for the popularity to leave the worst enemy unconquered?”

“As you know, the content we’ve prepared is much more extensive than before. And we have an even stronger final boss prepared beyond the Apocalypse Dragon, don’t we?”

“So you’re using the Apocalypse Dragon to stoke the flames of Gaia Online?”

“To put it simply, yes.”

“Hmm.”

Ultimately, the final decision-maker is Sung-soo.

Sung-soo slowly nodded after listening to the eloquent words of the planning team head.

Then he looked at me, Heo-soo, and Dong-su and asked subtly.

“What do our proud advertising models think?”

“Well, it seems almost impossible to gather the raid members who were there back then. Everyone has their own livelihoods now…”

“You don’t need to worry about that part.”

The planning team’s plan didn’t end there.

Many of the people in Dong-su’s raid have become streamers, and gathering them is not a difficult task.

No, rather, they would express their intention to participate first.

Dong-su’s concern is for the raid members who have now entered society.

A considerable amount of time has passed, and they must have settled in their respective places, so it would be a hard decision for them.

“All participants in this project will receive appropriate rewards.”

“They have their livelihoods…”

“If it is difficult to participate due to work, SD Corporation and Seongdo Group will take full responsibility.”

As soon as I heard those words, I looked at Sung-soo, and he nodded with a smile.

…These people might actually pull this off.

“Putting aside their jobs… it’s the last chance to play the characters that hold their youth, isn’t it?”

Dong-su said with a slight smile as he looked at me.

I nodded as I looked at Dong-su.

“That’s right.”

“Emotions aren’t something you can easily let go of.”

We had gathered once before.

This time, unlike the last advertisement, which only captured part of the raid, it would contain the entire raid process from beginning to end.

Thinking that way, it felt easier.

While I was slowly continuing my thoughts, the planning team head’s words continued.

“The Apocalypse Dragon raid will be broadcast live from start to finish. And at the moment the raid team succeeds, the server will open.”

“It’s like a movie.”

“Of course. All the process of the Apocalypse Dragon raid will be edited into a cinematic video afterward.”

“What about the broadcast?”

“We are negotiating with the internet platform Twipod, and we are also talking to VR specialized broadcasting stations worldwide. In Korea, not only VRN but also the terrestrial broadcaster SBC has shown interest.”

It’s more serious than I thought.

After listening quietly to the planning team head’s words for a long time, I cautiously asked him.

“Planning Team Leader?”

“Yes, Shia.”

“What if the raid fails? Wouldn’t everything be in vain?”

Then the planning team head immediately answered as if he had been waiting for my question.

“According to the data we obtained from the supercomputer handling , if Shia didn’t betray, the clear rate would be…”

“Hmm?”

“100 percent.”

Ahem.

He’s right.

At the planning team head’s words, Dong-su, who was beside me, placed his hand on my shoulder and spoke in a more threatening voice than ever.

“Try betraying us again this time.”

“Hey, bro… why would I do that?”

Scary.

I couldn’t imagine what Dong-su would do if I betrayed him again this time.

Phew.

I had to be careful.

“Shia.”

All the attendees of the meeting, including the planning team head, fixed their gaze on me.

Why are these people being so burdensome?

“The main character of this event is you, Shia.”

“…Me?”

“There’s a lot riding on your shoulders, Shia.”

Geez, they really know how to pile on the pressure.

When I kept my mouth shut and remained silent, Sung-jae stepped in to speak on my behalf.

“Let’s confirm the contract terms first.”

“Ah, how about we handle the contract a bit differently this time?”

It was Sung-soo who responded to Sung-jae’s words.

Sung-soo had his secretary bring over three contracts and handed them to us.

“Just write down the amount you want. Simple, right? Since the fate of our company is on the line, please do your best.”

Good grief.

2.

The meeting was very productive, yielding fruitful results.

A contract worth 700 million won.

Heo-soo and Dong-su also signed contracts worth 500 million each, but the reason my contract terms were the highest was really simple.

My role was the most crucial in this event, and currently, my value was the highest.

“I didn’t expect a terrestrial broadcaster like SBC to show interest.”

“Right?”

“It means the trend in terrestrial variety shows is rapidly changing. After the last Soul Marriage event, there’s been a noticeable increase in terrestrial PDs wanting to meet with Chan-sik and me.”

“Wow, our Chan-sik is really world-class now.”

“VRN also confirmed they would raise the terms of the appearance contract.”

I felt the rise in my value keenly in moments like these.

I looked out the car window on the way home, smiling with satisfaction.

“That’s nice.”

“What will you do with the contract money you received this time?”

“I plan to donate about 20% and use the rest to buy a car.”

“That’s a good idea. If you have a preferred brand, please let me know later. I’ll introduce you to some dealers.”

“Thank you.”

As the scenery outside the window quickly passed by, I recalled the earlier meeting.

I never imagined they would plan to revive along with the Apocalypse Dragon raid.

Of course, being deeply connected to the Apocalypse Dragon, I was the most shocked.

The Apocalypse Dragon raid.

It was something I really wanted to keep hidden.

It was the raid where I earned the title of the worst traitor in game history and betrayed the trust of the people who treated me dearly.

I glanced at Dong-su.

He mentioned having an appointment here tonight, so he parked his car in this lot and was going to the Chicken Box office with Sung-jae.

As soon as Dong-su sensed my gaze, he turned his head toward me.

“What’s up, man?”

“Thanks for being with me again this time, bro.”

“It’s not because of you. Hey, do you think 500 million won is just anyone’s name? For 500 million won, I could forgive you for anything.”

“Really?”

“Why are you taking it so seriously?”

Dong-su smirked and continued while patting my shoulder.

“Actually, the Apocalypse Dragon raid is what I’ve wanted to do the most. When the Gaia Online Classic server opens, I plan to farm as quickly as possible and form a raid team. You know, it’s the only thing I couldn’t achieve in Gaia Online.”

Because of me.

Because of my betrayal.

We were almost successful in the strategy, but my betrayal ruined everything.

Seeing my expression, Dong-su grinned.

“Don’t make that face. Didn’t Jin-hyuk survive because you betrayed us back then?”

“…Bro.”

“Everyone understands. Remember when we met the raid members during the last commercial shoot? That’s enough. Even though the game was our life, you had a reason to betray. And didn’t I tell you not to feel guilty about it anymore? Do you still take my words as crap?”

Listening to our conversation, Heo-soo, who had been quietly leaning against a cushion, also spoke up.

“I would have done the same. So stop moping around. It’s disgusting.”

What a cheeky bastard.

Hearing Heo-soo’s words, Dong-su laughed loudly.

Then, putting his arms around my and Heo-soo’s shoulders, he said,

“Just focus on mental image training. We’ll definitely succeed in this raid. Got it?”

We have about two months left.

There’s a lot to prepare by then.

I nodded and briefly closed my eyes.