Everyone who sat near me looked up toward the direction of the voice. I, too gaze toward the voice. Standing atop a grandiose scarlet stage with complimentary lights from above creating an ethereal, eye-catching atmospheric focus on the female host.
She wore a white business suit and a red bowtie while her face was fully-covered in a luxurious yet intriguing gold lined mask. 'How did she even speak clearly with a mask covering her fully? Pretty professional and talented if i could say, someone should give her a raise lololl..'.
"Today, the time has arrived to announce the special doorprize!". She said cheerfully while raising one of her hands, suddenly two employees arrive bringing a fishbowl with glorified-looking symbols filled with small rolled-up paper probably containing randomly generated numbers. After the fishbowl is placed in an aesthetically-pleasing position the two employees leave quietly.
The female host grins, "Did you know?.. I have a secret to tell you!".
"Do you wanna know?" Asking the crowd below the stage to get a reaction and arouse excitement. Without a moments hesitation, everyone who waited for the doorprize announcement shouted loudly.
"We wanna know!".
"Tell us!!".
I listened to the mix of answers from the crowd who screamed their hearts out. The female host smiled widely at the positive reaction and gestured with her hands. The curtains behind her fell open by the hands of backstage employees, a large portal-door appeared and the sound of clicking and clacking can be heard.
The crowd fell into surprise and awe at the grand,imposing portal-door. Suddenly, the door opened wide. A tall silhouette appeared in the shadows. Then another more rough yet female-like voice came out of the speakers.
"Greetings Contributing Researchers!~ Very excited to have been able to meet you all..You interesting ones."
A sudden roar from the crowd erupts, some adoring her and loudly shouting words of affection toward the handsome-looking figure who finally walked out of the shadows into the stage near the female host.
A familiarly described figure within the site. A tall androgynous female developer of the site who is often decribed wearing a heart-shaped monocle with intricate engravings. 3rd Head Researcher for DOCs
E.
Then. I heard it.
Finally. I could meet you all..' They uttered quietly under their breath. But my observant eyes could see them mouthing it discreetly while covering it near their hands.
'What did they mean by that?' My eyes widen focusing on them, now, suddenly, it felt like their vibe felt off and disturbing. I felt cold sweat run down my neck..
I placed my hand near my neck. 'Really...bone-chilling.'
'Perhaps..the real developer is just hiding behind the mask of E. Cosplaying perfectly.. since they made the character anyways.' I close my eyes briefly to think about E.
'I clearly remember in the many stories, the developer would mention them as a mysterious being who has an unclear gender..just their appearance is...well intriguingly masculine yet feminine in a way.' I touched the Lieutenant Michael keychain on my pants, rubbing it gently.
'Well i could always ask..heh' I quietly let out a soft chuckle for myself then letting out a crude, weird smile before seeing the female host help 3rd Head Researcher E place their hands inside the fishbowl.
Slowly 3rd Head Researcher E unravels the rolled-up paper and speaks into the microphone, "Congratulations to ---- coupon! You have won the 3rd prize, a small custom merchandise of the pocket change found in the DOCs story, DCs-D-0977#".
The winner of the 3rd prize rushes onto the stage and happily receives the custom merchandise, an old, ruined wallet with hints of dried-up blood. As the person gets down the stage, they open the wallet. they are greeted with a 100,000 won voucher for all products.
If it were a cartoon, flashy golden light would come out of the wallet enveloping their face in materialistic brightness.
Then the 3rd Head Researcher E opens the next rolled-up paper, "Congratulations to ---- coupon for winning the 2nd prize! A truly amazing feat, you have received a friend bonnet! And...a special voucher for the WhiteHalls.inc Canteen!".
I watched a male high school student stagger then rush to the stage waving his coupon and thanking them at the stage, after receiving the prizes, he runs to his friends and drags them to the canteen. 'Well.. honestly...at this point, the sound of a voucher for the WhiteHalls.inc canteen is sounding good.. I heard even the influencers would list it at the very top of their go-to events, if, that is they do host another one.'
I look at the open coupon in my hands while i sat, 'This is hopeless llolol...i'm too unlucky, never winning anything in life. Heh....' While i close my eyes, a thought arises, 'Hopefully..i have a chance today.'. As my heart thumps harder each passing second and my hands getting cold out of nervousness.
'Just hopefully...2908!' I repeat that number repetitively in my head till i saw the 3rd Head Researcher E open the last rolled-up paper and opening her mouth.
"Hoho..ho~".
"What a coincidence!"
"Congratulations to 2908 coupon! You have succeeded in achieving the 1st prize! Applause for the winner! Woo~".
"Ah! I totally forgot, you're prize is a custom identification card with you're name on it! And~.. a custom item! We will issue it for you towards the Equipment sector! Ah.. also, you're identification card will have a random assigned faction~".
"..."
I stared at the stage then to my coupon. Is this real? Or deliberately done?'
I didn't know what or how to feel. Should i feel scared, or happy? Wait..why do i even want to feel scared? I'm...finally winning something.'
I quickly ran, 'Is this how the previous winners felt too?'.
"Me! I..i have the coupon!". I shouted while showing my coupon, the female host and 3rd Head Researcher E clapped for me. I smiled, sweat pouring a bit. I lowered my hood even more of out anxiety.
3rd Head Researcher E grabs my shoulders and shoves me near them, their hands over my shoulders as they announce me the winner while also asking for my name. 'Is she really asking for my name and telling them to the public?! W..what if....someone recognizes me.'
But they don't push their microphone to me and just asking it without the intent of revealing me. I braced myself, "M..my name is Kang Yeon-hu!".
"Oh..~? Such a beautiful name! Congratulations." They smiled to me, but i didn't really like the smile and how they acted towards me. Their actions don't work for an introvert!
"What kind of custom item do you want? Heh, we can..- i mean the Equipment sector can manage!". While coughing herself up after 'accidentally' choking on her words. I stared indignantly towards them, then closing my eyes, 'Help me...really!'.
"Uhm...". Before responding, i thought for a moment. 'What do i want?'.
Panicking briefly over my indecisive scuffle mentally, i choked out an answer on the spot. "I'll get any item you think would fit me...though i do request it to be from one of the DOCs story..or from the others too..Yeah...that would be nice." I mumbled the last part softly, only to myself.
"Hohohho...i'm feeling like Santa Claus today! I'll be generous to giving you a truly proper and amazing item! Hahahahha!". They laughed heartily before gesturing an employee to come up. I gazed at the employee who was bringing a velvet-red cushion. On top of it, a clip-on identification card can be seen. My eyes twitched.
'Is..this on purpose or just a coincidence!!' I can imagine myself hitting the floor.
[EMPLOYEE KANG YEON-HU]
[WHITEHALLS.INC EMPLOYEE ID]
'God..no...no! I would never....why this hellish company! I'd rather die..' I stared at the identification card infront of me, waiting to be picked up. I hesitated in taking it or not. 'Um..should i..-issue for it to be redone? No! I can't possibly do that...i feel bad for the employee'.
Finally, my trembling hands reached for the identification card. Timidness has won!
I can feel 3rd Head Researcher E's gaze on me. I quickly turned my head after taking it, i saw her creepy face shift into a poker-smile. I could feel my senses hitting my body.
"Now that you have received this, we will deliver the other prizes tommorrow! The day where you can rest and enjoy it as much as you want! Sunday, am i right?". Finally, they took their hands off my shoulder and i could finally breathe..
Laughter erupts the store. I looked at them and bravely opened my mouth. "Uhm..you're cosplay is really amazing! And you're acting for the cosplay too-!..".
"Heh..Thanks! I worked hard to get this position, the character's original creator was very strict about it" She whispered.
!..
'The true identity behind this..so it really is a cosplay! Truly talented..they even made me doubt a lot..heh'.
Instead of staying a bit more, i quickly thanked the both of them and ran off. I can picture myself running to the horizon like those drama scenes...huhuhu..
Securing my totebags and the path for safe return to home. I sighed a relief then briefly before i left the mall, i took a second visit to the one of the faction store.
Then finally. I left that overwhelming interaction.
====
The next day, i opened the door, my messy and ragged self stands before a box. A very unique box. It had all kinds of warning tapes on it, 'Is this the new norm for delivering a package?..'.
I took the box in my home. Opening it and assessing the single item. The same velvet-red cushion beneath the custom item i recognize.
#== OLMPHIS-NULL-0001# ==#
The Golden Heart Blade-
The Golden Heart Blade, a reward from the second highest ranking Olymphisism member or the Apostle who have:
-Protected them with their life.
-Showing unrelentless signs of martyrism.
- Signs of enlightenment/ true devotion.
An item made of pure gold, altough small it has a very sharp point. That sharp point is used to pierce one's own heart. If the believer is truly pure-heart, the Golden Heart Blade will be assimilated into the believer's heart, forever there to serve the user through storage and mental protection. Altough if the believer slowly corrupts and 'lost their way', the believer will bloom white chrysanthemums in their ribcage, many sinners have been seen with a huge white chrysanthemum in their heart, dripping golden blood.
Many call the golden blood as The True Light's tears, purifying and forgiving the sinner.
Oh what a wonderful Light blooming, Good shall be graced, and Evil will be embraced.-
====
'Did they see me as a goodwilled person..? How..nice of them..I guess smooth-talking my curiosity to them was the right choice lollol..'.
I took the miniature dagger made of what i think is the supposed pure gold altough it's proabably just a coating, and placed it on the cabinet near my bed that layed the identification card from before.
I stared at the two items. 'Very good..very..'. A satisfied smile appeared on my usual expressionless face.
Suddenly, my phone rings. I look at the contact's name. "Boss".
"..."
I pick up the call, awaiting the bombardment of work after the one day unpaid leave. 'Why can't this darn company just let Saturday be a rest-day too??!!'.
"Yes..Hello Sir..".
"Mr. Kang, it's already 07.30, we have been waiting for your arrival at BADA Brew Cafe..".
"..."
'I forgot today's work meeting.'
====
I ran with all my might, sweat dropping quickly every time i moved. I could feel stares from here and there seeing my hurried figure running along them.
I wished i never ran that day though. Even if it was for work. Well i should've never run in the first place. I thought while i touched my breast pocket.
THUD
H..huh?
Why is my vision.. blurring, why is my body...Am i...bleeding? I did feel a sharp pain..but...
I felt my body touch the warm pavement. Blood spilled out of my head to the pavement. I couldn't move.
I felt something sharp near my chest. What. What was in it again?
AHHHHHHH!!!
There, near me, near the pavement, people screamed and panicked. 'I guess i'm dead. I bit the dust. But... i haven't.. i haven't cared for the items... i.. haven't ■■■■■.'
'I don't wanna die. I can't die before i ■■■■■.'
'I haven't.. ■■■■■ out who i ■■■■■ am ■■ this life.'
It was like a fleeting memory...
Before... Suddenly, the world.. i could see it clearly like before, it wasn't dark anymore.
But it was different. It's empty, void of anything, not even the screams, the familiar buildings, nothing.
Suddenly, i could see a reflection of myself. But...
WhyIsMyFaceLikeThat? IsThatHowIdied?
Wounds of the aftermath of my death still fresh. My head, the cranium had a dent.ITHADADENTITHADADENTITHADADENTITHADADENT.
I saw the vibrant, scarlet red near my chest. Was i stabbed? STABBEDSTABBEDSTABBEDSTABBEDSTABBED.
My face..it was blurry then it became obscured by a black void. Only my bloodshot eyes were seen.
I felt a headache. It..was the pain, i felt like i was being teared open.AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH