Riser
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🕑 Added 2025-08-09 23:32:19 +0000 UTCEP.113 Distrust
Even after the two women who claimed to be from the Bureau disappeared into the crowd, the burger shop remained abuzz.
All eyes were still fixed on Lizetta in her maid outfit, while my gaze lingered on the nearly untouched cup on the table.
Dimensional universe, DN-2000, the Bureau.
And a chilling warning that my powers were a “nuisance” to be confiscated.
Fragmented information swirled chaotically in my mind.
At that moment, Lizetta, who had cleaned up the trays left by Seohyun and Naeun, returned and asked after my well-being once more.
“Hyunseong-nim, are you all right?”
When I slowly raised my head at her voice, I saw her face filled with genuine concern for me.
But behind that pure concern, the shadow of her creator, ‘Child,’ flickered.
How much did this maid really know?
“…You don’t look well at all. What did they say to you?”
“Well… I think someone else would know better than me.”
At her repeated questions, I answered quietly, staring at a point in the air.
Rather than racking my brain, it was a hundred times better to ask the culprit directly.
[ Why the long face? You look like the world is ending. Puhuhu.]
I didn’t even feel the need to respond to that nonchalance, and went straight to the point.
“Those Bureau women came looking for me.”
[I know. The connection suddenly cut out, and only they could do that.]
So carefree.
As expected, there wasn’t even a hint of concealment.
[Well, I’m glad you’re safe. They didn’t do anything weird to you, did they?]
Unlike Lizetta, there was not a shred of sincerity in Child’s voice.
“They didn’t do anything weird, but they did say a lot of weird things. Sounds like you and those people aren’t on good terms.”
[It’s a long story. Basically, we’re tied by a persistent, annoying fate. They show up everywhere I go, like stalkers. Ugh!]
With an exasperated sigh, Child continued,
[They’re stuffy bureaucrats with zero sense of fun. Isn’t it awful? Puhuhu.]
“…What they told me was pretty interesting. Dimensional universes, multidimensions…”
[Ah, I can imagine. Long, tedious explanations. Blah blah blah~.]
“And I heard about you, too.”
[Really? I doubt they were singing my praises. So, what do you think after hearing all that?]
Faced with that sly question, I took a breath and spoke honestly.
“…Honestly, I don’t know.”
Universal order.
Child’s purpose.
It all felt distant from me.
I was content just enjoying these powers.
Now, suddenly, it seemed like everything would be taken away.
“Why didn’t you tell me about multidimensions or the Bureau yourself?”
[I didn’t think you needed to know all that background detail.]
Hadn’t we had a similar conversation before?
As if it was no big deal.
As if everything had a reason.
[And even if I had explained, would our relationship be any different now?]
No, it probably wouldn’t.
Even if I’d learned about the world and Child’s identity sooner, I wouldn’t have given up possession or my powers.
The moment I drank from the poisoned chalice, my fate was sealed.
Still
“If they’d meant me harm from the start, I would’ve been helpless. I knew nothing.”
Until now, just enjoying myself was enough, but now it was different.
“So it’s time you told me your real intentions.”
[I told you before, I ]
“Enough with the ‘I was bored’ or ‘it was fun’ nonsense. I have a lot more at stake than you.”
If the Bureau was right, Child could just run away if things went bad, but I couldn’t.
But Child’s answer was
[ I can’t tell you. At least, not yet.]
After all this, you’re still keeping secrets?
[What you need to know now isn’t my plan, but the threat in front of you. You can’t just let the Bureau do whatever they want, right?]
And again, skillfully changing the subject.
[If you reach 100% immersion, you’ll become the protagonist of the world. The Bureau won’t be able to touch you. The situation is in our favor!]
As expected.
The obsession with immersion meant Child’s true purpose was related to it.
There was a hidden motive beyond just making me the protagonist.
“I don’t know if that ‘protagonist of the world’ stuff is even true.”
[Why the sudden doubt? Weren’t we having fun?]
Sure, it was fun before
When I could just dance on the stage Child set, knowing nothing.
But what happens after the party ends?
“They said you never act for anyone else. That after you get what you want, you’ll throw me away.”
[You’re going to believe them? Give up everything because of that baseless nonsense? You want to lose these powers and everything you’ve achieved?]
It hurt to think of losing these powers and everything I’d gained.
But I couldn’t trust Child so easily, either.
“Anyway, I’m going to lie low for now. The Bureau said they wouldn’t do anything if I behaved…”
[…Sorry, but that won’t do.]
A chill ran through my mind.
Child’s cold voice echoed like a cave.
[Did you forget who gave you those powers? I can take them back if you don’t listen to me…]
“Is that a threat? That’s not like you.”
I cut him off.
It was chilling, but it gave me some confidence.
“Go ahead and try.”
[…]
“You can’t, can you? You need me for whatever your plan is.”
If I weren’t necessary, you’d have thrown me away already. The fact that you’re still coaxing me makes it obvious.
Even if you tried to find someone else, the Bureau is already closing in.
Resetting isn’t even an option.
In short, Child has no choice but to rely on me, for better or worse.
A brief, but seemingly endless, silence.
Then, a ringing laugh filled my head.
[Puhuhu. Ha, hahaha! Not bad, kid. You’ve learned to use your head.]
There was a sharp edge in that laughter that made my forehead sweat despite the blasting AC.
[Okay. You win this time. I admit it.]
I thought Child would show a bit more of his true feelings by now.
But he surprisingly conceded defeat.
[But what will you do now? Without possession? Do you think you can manage with just the powers you’ve gained so far?]
“I’ll figure that out from here.”
[Really? Well, good luck. Puhuhu.]
With a nasty chuckle, Child’s voice faded from my mind.
At the same time, I slumped back in my seat and let out a deep sigh.
“Haa…”
I was exhausted.
I’d meant to provoke him and pry out his true intentions, but ended up saying everything on my mind.
“So what now.”
I’d talked big, but had no concrete plan.
The Bureau said they’d leave me alone if I behaved, but who knows what that really means?
One thing’s clear: until the Bureau finds and captures Child, I’ll have to find a way to survive.
“Hyunseong-nim.”
As I left the restaurant, lost in thought, Lizetta’s calm voice reached my ear.
“While you were talking to Child, I thought about it. From now on, I should accompany you whenever you go out.”
It used to sound like a joke, but now I might really need her as a bodyguard.
But can I really trust her?
She’s not just my maid she’s Child’s creation.
Is it safe to consider her an ally?
“Lizetta, are you really okay with this?”
“With what, sir?”
“You heard earlier, right? In a way, I just declared I’d go against your creator. Is it really okay for you to protect me like this?”
Her shoulders twitched slightly at my question.
She avoided my gaze for a moment, then straightened up as if remembering her role as a maid.
“Child ordered me to serve you, Hyunseong-nim. That order is still valid. So my duty remains unchanged.”
“…”
“…That’s how I feel, too.”
Her last words were so quiet I could barely hear them.
In truth, there’s a simple way to check her true feelings.
It’s almost odd I haven’t used it yet.
“If you really doubt me, you can use the app on me.”
As if reading my mind, Lizetta offered first.
The only reason I hesitate to use the app is because I trust her that much.
“Phew.”
I can’t leave any doubts behind.
After some hesitation, I pulled out my phone and showed her the screen.
It might prove I don’t trust her, but Lizetta looked at it without hesitation.
But
“Huh?”
[This target is not within the app’s registration range.]
[Please present the screen to another target.]
“…The app doesn’t work?”
What the…?
“…I can only guess,” Lizetta said before I could react to the strange message.
“I’m not a normal living being, but an artificial one created by Child. That must be why.”
It was only a guess, but it was the only explanation that made sense.
Child probably knew this, too.
“So there’s no way to prove if you’re telling the truth. What will you do?”
“What do you mean?”
“If you don’t trust me, you can abandon me. A servant who makes her master anxious is worthless.”
Despite her words, Lizetta’s hands nervously fidgeted with her maid uniform.
“…Don’t say things like that. How could I abandon you?”
Her eyes trembled at my reply.
“…Does that mean you trust me?”
“It’s not that I trust you, but I’m trying to. Besides, I can’t imagine life without you now.”
Meals, laundry, cleaning
I’d grown so used to the life she provided, it had become my everyday.
Maybe it’s trivial, but everything she’s done seems sincere.
Or maybe I just want to believe that.
All those reasons are just excuses to justify my own foolish choices.
If I’m wrong, then my instincts are garbage.
“…Still, the thought of you betraying me doesn’t feel good. You’re not going to karate chop the back of my neck like you did to Seung-ah, are you?”
Lizetta’s eyes widened.
“…If you don’t like your neck, I can use another spot.”
“Ah, no, that’s not what I meant.”
“Hehe.”
Flustered, I waved my hands, and Lizetta smiled faintly.
But soon she returned to her usual expression, looking off at the distant crowd.
“By the way, those two earlier seemed strong. Especially the one with light brown hair.”
It was an abrupt change of topic, but I didn’t point it out.
“Light brown? …Not the white-haired one?”
I’d thought the white-haired one was more threatening.
“When we meet again, I wonder if I can win…”
Lizetta clenched and unclenched her fists, then muttered seriously,
“I really need to improve my basic maid skills, just like I saw online. Hand chops alone aren’t enough. Next time, I’ll master self-defense…”
Her earnest, silly determination made me relax and laugh.
Lizetta is most reassuring when she’s like this.
“Self-defense is good, but there’s something we need to do first.”
“What’s that…?”
At that, my stomach growled.
“I’m hungry.”
I’d been too tense to eat my burger earlier, and what little I did eat, I couldn’t even taste.
Lizetta paused, then nodded.
“Understood. I’ll make dinner as soon as we get home. What would you like?”
“Hmm. I’m craving Korean food. Something spicy, like kimchi stew…”
All the serious worries faded as Lizetta and I chatted about everyday things on the way home.
Like Naeun said, even on Geumgangsan, you eat first.
You have to fill your belly before your brain can work.
