Managent Rationalization Committee, 2053
「Committee mber A: Ah, committee mbers. Please stop what you're doing and co back online. We will now begin the regular general eting of the Korea Economic Reform Committee. Now, let's see, which session is this again?」
「Committee mber B: Really now. Today we're gathered as mbers of the Managent Rationalization Committee of the Afterlife Insurance Agency, not the Economic Reform Committee. You've also pulled up the wrong data. Please correct it.」
「Committee mber A: Oops, my mistake... Sorry. My secretary made an error. To be honest, I get a little confused myself. Since all the faces look the sa every ti. Hahaha.」
(Sound of people laughing)
「Committee mber E: I understand, but isn't it ti for us to get nervous? Control of Paradise group's managent has passed to Chairman Go Guncheol. Sure, we still hold supervisory authority over the corporation, but how much longer do you think that greedy tyrant Chairman Go will just sit back and watch? From next year, he'll try to plant his own people. To prevent that, we need to achieve remarkable performance improvent during this term.」
「Committee mber C: You're talking about shortening the actual guarantee period.」
「Committee mber E: Please call it managent rationalization. Let's refrain from concrete expressions.」
「Committee mber C: Isn't it fine? It's not like we're on the e-governnt server.」
「Committee mber E: Even so. If it leaks from inside, it will leak outside as well. The way it's said matters, you know. It's all about everyone living well together, but the public won't appreciate that. How many tis have we been hurt because people nitpick over trivial terminology, regardless of our real intentions? When I think of the hardship after the chicken coop remark not long ago, I'm still so sad it brings to tears. I just ntioned it lightly to try to lighten the mood, since all the young people these days call it that...」
「Committee mber C: Yes, yes. That's what happens with people who lack expertise. I'll be careful.」
「Committee mber B: It's because of poor civic consciousness. They don't know how to empathize.」
「Committee mber A: Let's cut the small talk here. If you're ready, let's begin. First, let's talk about enhancing service satisfaction by expanding internal diversity in the world view of Afterlife Insurance. As you know, it's a plan we launched on a trial basis from this quarter, but it seems the outcos are already quite good.」
「Committee mber D: Really? That's surprising... I thought satisfaction would actually increase, leading to extended survival periods of surplus subscribers.」
「Committee mber A: You were adamantly against it at the ti. It was basically an expansion of free welfare, after all. The initial resource usage was imnse too. But the results are promising. Please look at this graph. And refer to the distributed research report.」
「Committee mber B: Oh, this is excellent. Surplus subscribers are decreasing, profitability is rising, and resource usage is trending down. At this rate, we'll recover the resource share of an average year by next year.」
「Committee mber D: Let's see... An increase in random variables ans a rise in potential threats. Is it that the surplus subscribers, who persist long-term without consuming DLC or other lucrative add-ons, are increasingly unable to adapt to sharply improved diversity? Who was in charge of the add-on product policy review?」
「Committee mber E: That's .」
「Committee mber D: As the person responsible, what's your view?」
「Committee mber E: I think it worked synergistically with projects we were running.」
「Committee mber D: Hm? Was sothing going on?」
「Committee mber A: Um, I was planning to discuss the add-ons as the next agenda...」
「Committee mber E: Since it's co up, let's address it now. It's an extension of the sa issue anyway.」
「Committee mber A: Sounds like you have sothing to say.」
「Committee mber E: I just want to brag a little. Heh heh.」
「Committee mber C: Huh. Should we get our hopes up?」
「Committee mber E: It's nothing major. We've been actively marketing certain types of add-ons to surplus subscribers. We even give them out free to national rit recipients. Those folks tend to have especially low purchasing power. It's a good excuse to pull budget in the na of veterans' support, too.」
「Committee mber C: Certain types of add-ons? What kind?」
「Committee mber E: Internally we call them "killing content."
They're powerful add-on products that can dramatically enhance the subscriber themselves, heavily manipulate a virtual personality's psychology, or alter the world view regardless of plausibility. We sub-contract a range of public companies for this.」
「Committee mber C: Killing content. I see.」
「Committee mber E: Yes. It's like soda pop. Sweet and refreshing when you drink it, but quickly makes you thirsty.」
「Committee mber C: So, when they can't adjust to the changed world view, they end up buying killing content to overco it?」
「Committee mber E: Exactly.」
「Committee mber B: Hmm. Surplus subscribers often go years—sotis over a decade—without buying anything... Are you saying such people are spending money? Enough that their accounts can't keep existing?」
「Committee mber E: They're mostly elderly folks. They try to hoard their deposits, repeating yesterday and today, day after day. Imagine how rigid their minds must be.」
「Committee mber C: Fascinating. True, subscribers below grade B are isolated for security reasons. Plus, they've probably spent years surrounded only by silly virtual personalities. There's even research showing that the longer this lasts, the worse their discernnt gets.」
「Committee mber E: Exactly. We offered these confused old people a free trial of killing content and a discounted follow-up purchase offer. At first, there's no financial burden, so they use it readily. Statistically, less than 20% of people who try it once never use it again. Oh, also, when they first register, they consent in writing to sothing like: "After the free period, service will be automatically converted to paid. If you do not wish this, please cancel directly."」
「Committee mber B: Isn't that all a bit too aggressive? You'd better be careful not to let it leak out. You'd be denounced for institutionalized euthanasia. The chicken coop remark would seem minor in comparison.」
「Committee mber E: Oh, co on. As if I'd get burned twice. Of course I'm careful.」
「Committee mber D: How so?」
「Committee mber E: We didn't market to all surplus subscribers. We only selected those without personal renown or public influence, and with no visits in three years, and didn't use any mass communication channels.」
「Committee mber D: That's wise.」
「Committee mber E: And who's forcing them to be deleted? They could just open a broadcast channel and generate revenue. Increases personal satisfaction and boosts the national economy. Two birds with one stone. If soone gets deleted because they're lazy despite ans to survive, they shouldn't bla the country. They should have made more effort.」
「Committee mber C: Well put. And the use of DLC is, after all, their own choice. Honestly, it's shaless to have lived idly when young with no savings, then to expect to exist for more than a hundred years by converting to a basic pension. How long are they planning to leech off the young? People who don't care about others are no different from monsters.」
「Committee mber A: The country can't afford to carry people who are needed by no one and help no one. Helping those who didn't leave the stage when the applause was due—openly and quietly—that's our mission. It's the dirty, tough work no one else will do.」
「Committee mber E: Soone has to do it.」
「Committee mber B: Committee mber E. May I ask one more thing?」
「Committee mber E: Go ahead.」
「Committee mber B: Have there been any civil complaints about the world view upgrades?」
「Committee mber E: Of course there have.」
「Committee mber B: You sound as if it's trivial.」
「Committee mber E: It actually is. Objectively, all we did was raise the quality of the virtual world view for free. Subscribers in the class—with ample... excuse , with ample purchasing power—are very pleased. Depending on the criteria, it's a plus-minus zero situation. The magic of statistics.」
「Committee mber C: What about citizens who haven't received the benefits of Afterlife Insurance yet?」
「Committee mber E: Who would dislike knowing the virtual world they'll be interred in has beco better? Many say they're dissatisfied with old people even getting such good treatnt. Most aren't interested, anyway. Who cares about people their own families don't visit?」
#Golden Gate (1)
To the west, the horizon; to the east, the coastline. The Japanese-flagged cargo ship Corona Triumph was almost at its destination. Gyeo-ul watched the sunset-lit port from the bow. Though there were still dozens of minutes left, it felt much closer. The Filipino sailors also ca out on deck, chatting noisily. Their words weren't audible—the wind was cold and rough, and the deck was broad.
"Forget about the past."
The voice, uncommonly clear, belonged to FBI supervisor Joanna Gibson. She handed a cup of coffee to Gyeo-ul, who turned to look at her; the seasoned detective's presence brought a cup, and the aroma, undiminished by the sea breeze, felt sohow unique.
"Take it. It's Café Royal."
"Thank you, anne. It would've been even better if it were cocoa."
It was nothing to fuss about, but the detective laughed, clutching her stomach, saying it didn't suit her. She was less formal than before. When she returned from the ghost ship, she asked to be addressed by na—or by nickna, if Gyeo-ul was comfortable. It wasn't strange. In that culture, you could beco friends regardless of age.
Or perhaps it was strange, making friends right before a life-or-death mission.
Steam rose gently from the mug. Gyeo-ul blew and sipped. Did she say "Café Royal?"
Sweet, yet with a peculiar flavor. The aroma of beans lded with a soft note of grape—he didn't mind it. Gulp, gulp—the warmth spread through his body. Gyeo-ul's brow furrowed slightly. A warning from 「Survival Sense」 appeared.
"Is this a cocktail?"
Joanna Gibson shrugged.
"It's Café Royal. There's brandy in it, but it's not quite a cocktail."
Seeing Gyeo-ul's astringent expression, the detective laughed brightly again.
"In my version, I add a spoonful of brandy for each sugar cube. You set the sugar on the spoon and light it. The harshness of the brandy dies down and a caral scent overlays it."
"For it to catch fire, it's got to be at least 100 proof (50 degrees)."
"That's right. The stronger, the better. This one has grappa, 120 proof."
"... It seems like you added more than a spoon or two."
"Hmm, I think it was five spoons?"
Five spoons of 60-degree proof liquor. That's basically a regular cocktail.
Alcohol dulls sensory modulation. Overuse and chronic use can have side effects. It does feel pleasant. It's cited as a case of technical achievent in sensory reproduction, even being featured in textbooks. Nonetheless, as it temporarily reduces combat ability, it's not a drink to enjoy lightly.
Gyeo-ul couldn't help but sound awkward.
"We're arriving soon, and you've given alcohol?"
"Don't worry. Even after reaching the Golden Gate, it'll be quite a while before the rendezvous. You won't see the faces of Intelligence Bureau agents until after midnight. Look—what do you think that is?"
The agent pointed. In the late afternoon sea, a line of buoys floated, vivid in primary colors and bearing nurous numbers. They stood out even more due to tangled debris.
"Is that a minefield?"
"Correct."
She explained that the approach channel to the port was getting increasingly complicated.
"They laid those for coastal blockade. As you saw at April Pacific, it would be a disaster if mutants from other continents landed. They're transmitting warnings worldwide via satellite. Anyone coming ashore without authorization will hit the mines. If you want aid, you have to follow the US Navy's control."
From the direction of San Francisco, there was a sudden flash. Barrages blazed in brilliant vermilion. Bang! Bwoooooom! The sound of cannon and machine gun fire reached them a mont late.
The vessel that had received warning shots urgently turned its bow. It was a small, fast boat; caught by a wave while listing, it barely righted itself and survived by a hair. Soone clung to the deck railing, and a companion quickly pulled them up.
Many other ships crowded the entrance to the bay, longing to go in. Most waited outside the US destroyer patrol periter, dropping anchor as if resigned.
That reckless, small boat was one of the rare exceptions.
Gyeo-ul spoke.
"April Pacific was my mistake. As you said, maybe I shouldn't have entered at all."
--------------------------= Author's Note --------------------------=
#Premium
Now that serialization has started on Naver, there won't be requests for a premium switch anymore.
Perhaps the rankings will drop even more as readers get scattered... Hehe. It wasn't much of a ranking to begin with, so it doesn't matter anyway.
#Q&A
Q. Kaif: @If the probability of humanity's destruction is 0%, doesn't that an the ga can never end? D:
A. This topic ca up before, during the "Intermission—the Cancer Solver Munchkin Package Mark 1" part.
《The miracle of capitalism, granting you power to overco any crisis!
Unsettling? Co on, don't overthink it. Virtual reality imitates real-life entertainnt. In reality, money does everything, so shouldn't money do everything in VR too? If you've ever played a Korean-made online package ga, you know how it is. And our service works that way too.》
That's right. Everything is possible with microtransactions. Haha.
Q. RGZ95: @Reality is more intense than the virtual... 8..8 This was an episode filled with childish innocence.
A. The author's childhood innocence has been depleted by insomnia. 8_8
Q. Bap-e-neunChisol: @Hmm... If a baby is put into an incubator, what does it see and how does it learn? And if soone grows up in there until about age thirty, what kind of person would they beco? I'm really curious.
A. There will be a public service announcent about this.
Q. PAM: @LOL But these days reality is so tough that even the columbarium's impact falls short. Author, it's a novel because it exceeds reality. Try harder! But then... how many people actually will... LOL
A. Regrettably, I don't think I can surpass reality. I'll remain a third-rate author forever. This is all because of President Park Geun-hye.
Q. CurryRice: @Question! Can one Afterlife Insurance subject watch another's broadcast? For example, could the guy who was the original "star strear"—Park Woo-cheol?—watch Gyeo-ul's broadcast?
A. It depends on their grade. In Park Woo-cheol's case, since he worked hard and raised his grade, it's possible, but he's too busy surviving to watch.
Q. svjk: @So... what's the real probability of human extinction at present? And can it be prevented without surpassing human limits?
A. The probability... hmm, even as the author I can't express it as a precise figure. Gyeo-ul has already surpassed human limits. It's up in the air. Skill alone isn't enough; you need a lot of luck. Since I determine that luck, you could say this novel is truly full of hope.
Q. qoewh: @Author, I have a question. If you look up "fairy tale" on Naver: "A prose literary genre for children, based on innocence."
Innocence is "the mind of a child."
The adjective "young" refers to age not beyond the early teens. So if I'm at an age to consider marriage, does that an I can never be a fairy tale writer? Sniffle sniffle hewyu
A. Why not? Even as a man in my thirties... no, as a 40,030-year-old old man, I'm still writing fairy tales like this. Dreams are always beautiful, whenever you dream them. :)
Q. SoeHwangjorong-I: @I don't know whether to laugh or frown—the content is familiar yet awkward. Was the DolceEnGavanna generation raised in the incubator? (snip) If the idea that childbirth is mandatory disappears and human factories are built, would they be state-owned, public, or private?
A. The incubator appeared after the launch of Afterlife Insurance. The DolceEnGavanna generation is from before incubators. / In the columbarium world's Korea, public debate about state-owned embryo factories is active. It's still impossible due to high costs, though.
Q. Guaaaaak: @Today's chat again overflows with childish innocence. Author, is the future you imagine the one where the rearing thod from the story has beco normalized? Or is it just part of the novel?
A. I don't think family ties will break down that easily. Please just treat the columbarium as a novel. :)
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