SSS-Rank Mechanic Player - Chapter 3-1

The sun has set and the night has become deep.

My ears naturally become sensitive and my body becomes alert to even the smallest of sounds.

I pick up my phone several times, hoping that there might be a signal.

Of course, there is no way that there would be any communication in this abandoned hunting lodge, which is now a service-inaccessible area, but the situation is too precarious to just sit around.

After trying for a while, Taejeongs battery ran down to one bar, so he turned off the power completely.

Then, he sat in the corner of the house and thought about what to do next.

Can i make it back alive? he had already asked himself this question dozens of times.

His own life was at stake, but he had another big worry.

His younger sister, who he would now have to leave behind by herself.

Thinking about her made the situation even more complicated for Taejeong.

He lost his parents in an accident when he was young and had to live with his younger sister, so he had always borne the heaviest responsibility, even though he was still a child.

He wanted to make sure that his sister ate and was clothed well, even if he himself went hungry and cold.

That was a big burden of responsibility, but maybe it was also the only thing keeping him going in the harsh environment he was living in.

He was now 20 years old, but his younger sister, whom he had raised since she was a baby, was still someone he felt he had to take care of.

No. I cant die yet. Absolutely not. Taejeong was thinking all these things when he suddenly fell asleep.

How long had he been asleep? He groaned.

His body was trembling as if he was having a seizure and his closed eyes fluttered open.

The darkness was so quiet that even his own breathing was muffled.

After staring into the darkness for a while, his eyes finally adjusted and he took a deep breath.

ah. I must have dozed off. Once his vision cleared up a bit, he stood up and headed for the bathroom.

He needed to use the toilet.

He was looking at his business without really thinking about it when he suddenly felt an extremely strange presence.

At the same time, he felt a huge sense of tension and fear rising up from the bottom of his soul.

shit. Theres something here. Taejeong, who had been standing there like a statue for a while, slowly raised his head.

Light? Fortunately, what he had felt was not a monster.

It was light. A very faint light was leaking through the cracks in the ceiling. It was so faint that it was barely noticeable in this dark room.

Taejeong confirmed that it was not a monster and, with a sigh of relief, pulled up his pants. Then, he took a step back and carefully considered what that light could be.

I dont remember there being anything like that before. How can there be such light in this abandoned building? after pondering for a while without coming to any conclusions, he decided to go closer and take a look.

The light was coming from a maintenance hatch in the ceiling, which was just big enough for a small creature like him to fit through.

Again, he was overcome with fear and about to turn and run when he heard a strange voice.

-This way.

huh. too surprised to scream, Taejeong could only gape.

His eyes started to water and roll back into his head involuntarily.

The voice came again, this time with a hint of amusement.

-you look like a dog trying to shake off water.

wha- what?

-I am a Doppelganger[1] of Sirius.

Siriuss Doppelganger? So, the monster? Taejeong was about to wet himself.

If he hadnt gone to the bathroom earlier, he really would have.

He felt like a fly caught in a spiders web, waiting to be eaten.

what do i do? This cant be happening. This cant be real.

A million thoughts swirled through his head as he heard the voice again.

-Youre so stupid.

Comparing this body to some lowly creature.

What?

-Listen to me. I cant tell you much because of the restrictions placed on me, but I have no intention of harming you.

So open this hatch and take out the stone inside.

The stone?

-Its called an awakening substance.

So, the stone inside is the awakening stone?

-Yes.

So open it.

Taejeong looked at the hatch again, thinking.

And then he had a sudden, natural thought.

Isnt this a Trap? it made perfect sense.

He was about to open the hatch and potentially get himself killed, all because he was curious.

The voice came again, this time sounding annoyed.

-Just open it. A weakling like you is better off dead anyway. I can tell youre not going to make it much longer. If you die here, my master will be very displeased. And to think that I was almost caught in this stinking place.

Taejeong had no idea what he was talking about.

The only thing he was sure of was that the creature was very emotional, and that it spoke quite well.

He was starting to feel curious.

What if it wasnt a monster?

Thats not it, I just want to know

-if youre not going to open it, then shut up.

But we should at least try to communicate

-shut up, you idiot.

Just open the hatch if you dont want to die.

Im not an idiot, I just think that we should

Hey,youidiot!Ifyoujustshutup,youdhavealotlesstosay.Thisisaonceinalifetimeopportunityforapatheticcreaturelikeyou.Evenifyoudiedandwererebornamilliontimes,youdneverhavethisopportunityagain.

[1] Possible a Ego