Otherworld TRPG Game Master - Chapter 292



Chapter 292 – S5. Stellar of the Explosion ~Hope Slumbering Beneath the Ruins~ -5

“Ugh—”

Thud.

Woo Chae-rin set down her glass with a sigh mixed with exasperation. This was the third time. Instead of adding words to the conversation, she announced the start of the drinking session with a performance of downing soju shots in succession.

The snack was dried squid. It was a product that had passed its expiration date by about a week. In a post-apocalyptic world where social infrastructure lay in ruins, this could be considered fresh food.

Though Woo Chae-rin had brought the squid, only Gordius was eating it.

As Gordius sipped the soju from his small glass, he observed Woo Chae-rin. Perhaps it was the effect of downing drinks in quick succession, but her face was already flushed with intoxication. If she kept drinking without any snacks, she would be in trouble.

Her appearance, unusually disheveled, was oddly concerning.

Gordius rubbed his temples, hesitating for a moment before attempting to intervene to prevent her from spiraling further.

“At least eat some snacks—”

“I don’t want to. Don’t say anything to me.”

“You’ll regret it tomorrow. This is closer to foresight than mere prediction. I know a Professor Alexon… a person with an incredibly healthy and robust body, yet even he couldn’t withstand a hangover.”

“Dealing with a hangover is a problem for my future self, not me. And stop just saying the right things even at a drinking party.”

Swoosh.

But this only had the opposite effect, accelerating her pace. Woo Chae-rin poured down the soju as if her insides were burning, but alcohol wouldn’t solve anything. Isn’t alcohol just a liquid form of fire?

“Ah, damn… it’s hot.”

“If you keep drinking like that, of course…”

Woo Chae-rin sluggishly removed her white coat.

What was visible underneath was a black sleeveless knit. Her drunken posture was so askew that the strap of her bra peeked out over her shoulder.

Gordius, resisting the visual pull downward, fixed his gaze on her furrowed brow and, with a pointed finger, sternly warned her.

“Don’t take it off.”

“I’m wearing something underneath, you know? I told you to stop giving me advice.”

“Strictly speaking, I didn’t. I said not to say the right things, not that you shouldn’t take off your clothes.”

“Don’t say things that make sense at a drinking party, okay?”

What on earth was I supposed to do?

I understood her feelings. Gordius was not a cold-blooded person, and I could empathize with the emotions she must have been experiencing. The less sacrifice, the better; if there were none at all, that would be even better.

Drones were an attractive option. If humanity weren’t backed into a corner.

So, was she here again to argue about the pilot story?

“… I don’t like being the leader. It’s overwhelming.”

“… … … …”

Instead, what slipped from her lips were unexpected words.

Woo Chae-rin had been doing well all this time. She had secured resources from the powerful, led the people of ‘Stellaria,’ and now the completion of a giant robot to combat the ‘Great Monster’ was just around the corner. She could be called a natural leader.

She had… the power to make people follow her voluntarily. A light that made you want to follow someone with a firm conviction.

Yet, she found it overwhelming.

“You’ve been doing well so far, haven’t you? Everyone in Stellaria relies on you, and the doctor has the capability to support you.”

“Just because someone has talent doesn’t mean they should be liked. And… from the start, I wasn’t someone who led others, nor did I have any experience. I just wanted to work in the lab, supporting others’ research.”

“… You?”

To put it plainly, Woo Chae-rin was a genius.

In a society where the infrastructure had collapsed, it was impossible for just anyone to create a giant robot. She was an exceptionally capable individual, and Gordius naturally… assumed that Woo Chae-rin had followed an elite path.

It seemed that was not the case.

“… I guess having good connections helps. They pushed me aside just because I graduated from a different university, and whenever I came up with ideas, they took them. In the midst of this push and pull, there was no place for me.”

“Are you saying you wasted your talent for that reason?”

“The decisive factor was, um. Because I didn’t accept drinks from the professors at the party, that old man started to hold a grudge from then on. Well… that’s how it went. I couldn’t even get recognition. Even when I worked, I gained nothing.”

“Hah. You’re in a situation where you’re creating losses. You can’t even use the talent you have properly.”

“Exactly, that’s how it is. Just tell me pretty things that sound nice, not facts.”

Woo Chae-rin smiled brightly.

The gap between her usual demeanor, which seemed to contain a wealth of intellect, and this carefree expression was significant enough that Gordius’s gaze fled to the calendar hanging on the wall. He didn’t even know why he averted his eyes.

Clink, clink, clink.

She tilted the soju bottle, filling her glass. Perhaps she was quite drunk, as the soju filled the glass to the brim and even spilled slightly.

“But you know… should I tell you a funny story?”

“… If it’s an interesting story, I’ll reward you. With this dried squid.”

“I miss those days when I was rotting away in the lab.”

“… … … …”

—

With a clink, Woo Chae-rin set down her glass. Tap.

Then, sliding across the table, she propped her arm like a pillow and lay at an angle. Half mumbling, she poured out her innermost thoughts.

“Back then, it was awful, but… I could order chicken late at night, and if I worried about gaining weight from late-night snacks, I could buy chicken breast, and I could take bubble baths… Wow, thinking about it now, it feels so luxurious.”

“That’s…”

“Now, even though I’m respected as a leader and my abilities are recognized, honestly, it’s all unnecessary. I wouldn’t mind not being acknowledged at all, even if I rot away in the lab… I just wish I could go back to those peaceful times.”

“…Is that so?”

Woo Chae-rin nodded silently.

She felt a deep nostalgia for the past, even while standing on the same land of South Korea. No matter how daunting life felt, she missed the days when survival wasn’t a concern.

And so, she stepped forward.

Taking the lead, even while trembling inside, she made calls to politicians to secure support. She poured herself into research, staying up all night. She created *Stellaria*. It was all because of that longing.

The desire to somehow return to the past drove her to action.

Gordius, handing her a piece of squid leg, said, “If you’re going to dream, dream big. Once we defeat the *Great Monster*, we could establish a research institute in Dr. Woo Chae-rin’s name. You’d gain peace and fame.”

“Ugh, no thanks. I’m tired of being on top. I just… want to live off the national veteran’s pension and do something on the side. For now.”

“That’s a waste. If you’re going to waste your talent like that, give it to me. I’ll make use of it.”

“Gordy… show me what you’ve got. If the amount is appealing, I’ll sell it.”

The corners of Woo Chae-rin’s eyes crinkled. It was a pretty smile. Gordius was about to propose a deal with a chocolate bar… but with that smile, he raised the stakes a little higher.

“…How about the incredible wisdom of the top disciple of the Gold Tower, a genius sorcerer considered a candidate for the next generation of Gold Tower?”

“I tried it, and aside from magic, it was pretty bland. Even weak in Earth Science.”

“The Dr. Woo I know, with the same surname, was also bland outside of science.”

“Well, if we’re both bland, we might as well trade. Bring the contract later.”

Gordius adjusted his posture. He knew not to take a drunkard’s jokes seriously. Such words likely held no significant meaning. It was probably just something said in the heat of the moment.

After that, it was small talk.

She mentioned her hobby of collecting Sylvanian dolls, asking if they weren’t really cute. (Gordius saw it as a waste.)

It was strangely hot, but since she couldn’t take off her clothes with him in front of her, she suggested at least wearing a blindfold. (He solved it by bringing her a glass of cold water.)

And then.

“About the code name… I’m thinking of calling it *Meteor*.”

“A meteor?”

“Yes. We’re *Stellaria*… stars, right? I’ll drop that star and make the Great Monster’s head concave. It’s… a profound naming, you see.”

“While it may not be profound, it is an attractive name. It’s a name I’d want to invest about three gold coins in.”

—

“Ugh, I think I might start a naming service.”

『Meteor』.

The name of Unit 1 was decided as ‘A Star Fallen from the Sky.’

Gordius often recalls a moment from the past because of her.

The horde of monsters that attacked the village, and the fake knight who stood bravely against them. A clumsy suit of metal armor cobbled together from scraps that didn’t even fit his body.

And the little Gordius, looking up at his back.

He remembers that figure. Ever since being saved by that brave knight, Gordius had nurtured dreams of becoming a colossal golem. That feeling never faded.

A sensation that seemed to promise protection from everything in the world. He wanted to recreate that feeling with his own hands.

A five or ten-meter golem wouldn’t convey that sensation; it lacked the aura. He thought that a much larger golem could embody a reassuring presence that anyone could rely on.

“…Dr. Woo Chae-rin, your dream will come true. It will.”

Perhaps what mattered was not the size──

—

“The right mechanical arm is finished. Chae-rin.”

“Good job. I’ve also completed the stabilization of the magic engine! Goldie, could you come over and inspect it?”

“Let’s switch tasks. I can’t quite gauge the load on the mechanical arm; I think a competent scientist should take a look.”

“Why are you being so nice all of a sudden…? I’m not good at that kind of lip service, Goldie. Don’t get your hopes up.”

Chit-chat.

The workers, observing Woo Chae-rin and Gordius as they pushed the project forward, buzzed about the changed atmosphere between the two overnight.

“…Don’t you think those two have gotten closer?”

“I heard Dr. Woo Chae-rin visited that guy’s room last night.”

“Oh my, they did! Yeah, having a partner tends to soften one’s personality. Ah, ow. Why are there suddenly pebbles in my shoe…?”

Gordius used magic to sneakily fill the insides of the workers’ shoes with small stones. Fortunately, it seemed that Woo Chae-rin hadn’t heard.

Greeeeing──!!

Unit 1, 『Meteor』, was about 80% complete.

However, this figure was aimed at achieving perfection; even in its current state, it was operational and could even engage in combat. According to the research department’s analysis, deploying it as is would yield an 85% chance of defeating a giant monster.

But was that really all there was to it── that slight unease made them cautious.

There had been observational records stating that when they inflicted damage on the giant monster’s surface with tank fire, something black was seen moving inside.

So they were preparing a trump card.

The rocket propulsion device that Woo Chae-rin had brought. Originally designed to launch a massive rocket into space, they planned to use that immense power to smash the giant monster’s head.

It was dubbed 『Meteor Strike』.

This will be completed in a week.

Pilot Kim was also progressing smoothly in his training and growth. Through repeated drills and study, he had managed to extend the maximum operational time of the magic engine to two hours.

“Oh my, our daughter, did Daddy come to see you?”

“Robot! The robot is moving!”

“If that’s the case, Daddy has to show you a heart with the robot…”

“Stop! Due to the robot’s structure, raising the arms is not feasible, so please refrain from doing that during test operations!”

In the end, they compromised with a finger heart.

In real situations, there would be various variables, and both mind and body would be unstable, so the test records would likely be lower. Even considering that, the numbers were sufficient. If the battle with the giant monster exceeded an hour, they would lose anyway.

Thus, everything was going smoothly.

But.

Disasters do not wait for human circumstances.

Zzzzt. Zzzzzzt.

– Great citizens, today we have brought to a close the longest and most brutal war in human history. Our United States has finally achieved victory after a relentless struggle to protect freedom and peace.

– The Third World War was not merely a clash between nations; it was a battle of ideologies and beliefs, an inevitable challenge to uphold our values and convictions—

The radio spat out the sudden news of the armistice. It was a long-awaited contact from the outside world.

The people of ‘Stellaria’ cheered and shouted in jubilation. If the nuclear war in the Western world had ended and peace had arrived, perhaps they would help in the subjugation of the giant monsters. That was the thought.

Everyone laughed in optimism, believing the future would improve.

Amidst this, only two people stood with hardened expressions, shocked. It was Woo Chae-rin and Gordius. That was… certainly not good news.

The fact that the ‘Giant Monster’ had ceased its movements strongly suggested it was preparing to topple the greatest threat, the massive nation. It was presumed that the monster had induced the Third World War through psychic manipulation.

Yet, the war being over meant…

“…It must have been completely neutralized, judging that it no longer had the power to harm itself. Essentially, that’s not a victory; it’s more like a surrender broadcast to the ‘Giant Monster’!”

“If there’s no longer a need to project hypnotic waves externally, then right now, the ‘Giant Monster’ is…!”

– Kick. Kkgeuk. Kkik.

A bizarre sound that resembled laughter echoed from the radio. And at the same time.

Biiiiiing──!!

“Movement detected from the ‘Giant Monster’! It’s moving, it’s moving—!”

“It’s been still until now! Why suddenly?!”

Emergency sirens blared, and red warning lights lit up throughout the facility. The laughter that once filled the underground bunker melted away like snow, replaced by a suffocating dread.

Woo Chae-rin urgently convened a meeting.

“…What’s the situation?”

“The ‘Great Monster’ is engaging in random acts of destruction. Its path is inconsistent; some buildings it merely passes by, while others it obliterates.”

“No, it’s killing people. All the points of destruction are precisely the locations of the survivor groups we identified in advance!”

“That’s still vague. If it’s moving to kill humans, there’s no reason for it to act this way—”

Bang.

Gordius slammed his hand on the table, cutting through the chaos. He turned to look at Woo Chae-rin.

“The important thing is that the ‘Great Monster’s’ activities have resumed. What will you do?”

“……..”

“…….. There is certainly merit in interception. Chae-rin. For the future recovery of South Korea, deploying ‘Meteor’ now, before casualties spread—”

From noble mtl dot com

“Stop. That’s something you should have said over drinks. What Goldy really wants to say is… the opposite, right?”

Turning away.

While the Great Monster swept away its victims, turning a blind eye to that death, focusing on research to fit the last piece together. Thus, raising the completion of Unit 1 ‘Meteor’ to 100%.

That is the cold, best course of action.

The two influenced each other. They were tainted. Therefore, Woo Chae-rin bit her lip tightly, trying to make a ‘more realistic’ judgment for everyone.

“Deployment is on hold—”

“Oh, it’s coming! The ‘Great Monster’ is heading this way—!!”

“…….. Ha. The timing is just impeccable. No need to deliberate. I’ll prepare for deployment. Everyone, to your positions. Goldy, you’re coming with me to the control room. Security team, prepare for evacuation guidance.”

“Yes!”

Woo Chae-rin let out a weary sigh. Gordius also scratched his head as he walked toward the control room.

It felt rather refreshing. If they couldn’t avoid battle, all that remained was to stake their fate on the clash. ‘Stellaria’ began preparations for the decisive battle.

People hurriedly ran about, working amidst tension and urgency.

Clank, clank, whoosh—!!

The mechanical devices that had been racing to stabilize Unit 1 ‘Meteor’ fell away, and the ceiling leading outside slowly opened. Sunlight streamed through, illuminating the robot’s face.

This is the cockpit.

Woo Chae-rin grabbed Pilot Kim, who was walking toward the cockpit, and said,

“…….. The physical specs are absolutely not lagging behind. Based on the destruction records, we’ve calculated the ‘Great Monster’s’ physical specs, and adjusted ‘Meteor’s’ output to exceed that of the ‘Great Monster.’ Understand?”

“So, it means I just need to fight well. I’ll take care of it splendidly, Doctor! So, don’t worry too much. And… please take care of my daughter.”

“Don’t say that; fight carefully. You must avoid any hits to the cockpit. Come back alive, understand?”

“Of course. Where would I go leaving my daughter behind…?”

Boarding was complete. The control room’s display showed the internal status of Unit 1 ‘Meteor,’ along with the cockpit’s camera feed and external camera footage.

Gordius clenched his fist tightly. The masterpiece created by him and Woo Chae-rin stood on the stage of proof. All of humanity’s hope rested on that robot.

It begins.

Will we save the world, or will we perish at the hands of the monster?

At this dreadful crossroads, right now── the coin has been tossed.

—

Kuwung. Kuwung.

A living catastrophe is here. Its massive form is so colossal that no creature can keep up, and it possesses enough power to reduce an entire civilization to nothing.

On its white surface, purple patterns swirl. From its complex and grotesque shape, joy seeps forth. Death and tragedy are absurdly delightful.

Still, eeeek, eeeek!

With just a light gesture, buildings crumble. Screams echo. Compared to the noise of buildings splitting in half and toppling over, the tiny, fragile screams of humans are no different from the fluttering of a bug’s wings.

Yet, they were heard perfectly by the ‘Great Monster.’ Hearing that was the reason for life, so naturally, it was endowed with the function to perceive it. It was a result of inheriting the characteristics of ‘it.’

Inside. Yes, right inside there.

People can be seen clinging to each other, wailing.

“Ahhh—!!”

“Get away, please get away! Just go away!”

The tendrils attached to the head of the ‘Great Monster’ writhed, detecting the magical energy ahead. Like turning on a thermal imaging camera, the form of the ‘Awakened’ wielding magic was clearly visible.

The monster cautiously pushed its foreleg forward. Glass shattered, and rebar bent as if it were nothing. The Awakened inside spewed fire in resistance, but it was merely a futile struggle.

Thud. Thud.

They will die like this, slowly, leisurely. Crushed to death.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Thud!

At that moment, the Great Monster felt a tremor. It thought it was the sound of buildings collapsing, but it was something different. Something was approaching from behind it.

When it realized that it was the sound of footsteps reverberating from a form so massive it could be compared to itself, it was already too late.

Kuwung!

It was far too large. Too loud. Too crude.

A mass of magical scrap metal.

Kwahhh—!!

A massive fist from Unit 1, ‘Meteor,’ slammed into the face of the ‘Great Monster.’