Hiding a House in the Apocalypse-Chapter 120.1: The Creator’s Melancholy (1)

It’s not my hobby to speak ill of others.

I express my emotions—whether I like someone or not—openly, and I keep my distance from people I don’t get along with.

This is different from Kim Daram.

But even I, Park Gyu, occasionally encounter people I can’t hold back my words against.

For example, Kim Daram.

There are also historical figures who are universally criticized.

Among these infamous public figures, our world’s creator is included—at least, anyone who contracted satellite equipment would know this.

Melon Mask.

He’s a problematic figure.

The unprecedented disaster of the apocalypse only briefly obscured his true nature.

Melon Mask’s famous “outburst” occurred when the scorching summer passed, and the cool autumn arrived.

*

A genius and a psycho, a rich madman, a con artist.

These are typical nicknames for Melon Mask.

Let’s skip over how he built his empire and succeeded—because it’s not important and doesn’t fit the theme of the apocalypse.

To put it simply, Melon Mask was a brilliant entrepreneur from his university days, and by the time he was in his mid-40s, he had continued to succeed, thriving in the land of opportunity, America.

What made him famous wasn’t just the numerous ingenious business ventures he built.

His eccentric behavior is just as much a part of who he is.

The most representative of his eccentricities is “killing social media.”

Before the war, a giant social media platform deleted a few of Melon Mask’s posts for inappropriate reasons.

For someone like me, it’s something I’d just laugh off, but Melon Mask wasn’t someone who was as forgiving.

Just because a few of his posts were deleted, Melon Mask spent billions to buy the platform, slowly destroying the entire social media community with his own hands.

For example, he changed the name of the platform to “Seggs.com,” which had sexual connotations, plastered over-the-top ads that dirtied the screen, and suddenly demanded payment while restricting previously free features.

Eventually, the platform he bought and renamed “Seggs.com” shut down.

All because a few internet comments were deleted.

Rumor has it that when the site closed, Melon Mask watched the shutdown scene on a luxury yacht while throwing an extravagant party.

This crazy person is the one who created Viva! Apocalypse!

Well, Viva! Apocalypse! is a service that mostly highlights Melon Mask’s positive traits—his exceptional creativity and genius execution.

In fact, users like me have managed to survive in this little world of Viva! Apocalypse! after the war, never losing our sense of humor and hope.

Well, those who couldn’t survive are already dead.

The fact that Melon Mask is now living in space with a giant sloth is well known to all.

Unlike us, he can live safely, without the threat of erosion, monsters, pesky raiders, or plagues.

If the ecosystem of the space bunker is functioning and providing food, Melon Mask might live longer than I will.

And that too, while being the owner of the massive community, Viva! Apocalypse!

Frankly, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that he is the luckiest human in all of humanity.

However.

MELON_MASK: I want to go back to Earth.

Melon Mask’s outburst hit.

MELON_MASK: It’s been so long since I’ve been with a woman. I miss the scent of women. The feel of their skin, their voices, I miss it all. It’s so cold here. Everything feels cold.

MELON_MASK: I can’t take it anymore. I can’t keep living trapped here!

Melon Mask isn’t without a way to return to Earth.

One of his modular bunker units includes a small spacecraft capable of returning to Earth.

All the settings for departure to Earth have already been completed, and he only needs to board and press the button.

What’s needed is Melon Mask’s biometric data to connect with the rocket system.

Well, Melon Mask coming back to Earth wouldn’t be the worst thing.

Before the war, people would have worried, but now, there aren’t many left to stop someone who just wants to die quickly.

The problem is, if Melon Mask dies, many of the features of our forum could start malfunctioning.

I don’t know exactly what will go wrong, since I’ve never worked at Melon Mask’s company, but according to VivaBot, Melon Mask’s absence could have a fatal impact on Viva! Apocalypse!'s survival.

Maybe that’s why.

For the first time, VivaBot appeared in the forum and opened a public chat room to discuss the current issues in front of everyone.

VIVA_BOT014: Melon Mask holds most of the authority in Viva! Apocalypse! and the company. He’s the kind of person who doesn’t trust anyone, so he holds the master keys to many important sections. As you all know, there were no changes in Viva! Apocalypse! before Melon Mask was rediscovered because everything was ready, but it couldn’t be released without his approval.

VIVA_BOT014: If he becomes a space wanderer or falls like a shooting star, you all know, just like PaleNet, maintaining Viva! Apocalypse! will be difficult.

VIVA_BOT014: The end of Viva! Apocalypse! will be near.

So what should we do to save Viva! Apocalypse!?

Well, the answer was a bit strange.

VIVA_BOT014: Because of this, everyone in the Korean board needs to make Melon Mask happy.

“Huh?”

I don’t understand.

Why suddenly trying to console Melon Mask when things were going well?

I wasn’t the only one with this thought, as some users in the chat also raised similar questions.

Rkkara: ?????

Anonymous458: What kind of show-off is this all of a sudden?

tntn_Orthopedics: Looks like he forgot his depression meds on his way to space?

Anonymous424: So, what do we do? Dress up as a woman and go there?

SKELTON: (Skeleton’s suggestion) Beatbox, anyone?

...

...

Soon, VivaBot responded.

VIVA_BOT014: I know everyone is confused, but you all know? How lonely it is to be alone? Our Melon Mask, who used to love parties and attention so much. Being with Bumpy is nice for a day or two, but it’s starting to break down. And there’s no hope that the world will get better, right?

Well, that’s probably true.

The fact that there’s no hope for the world to get better.

Perhaps the direct reason for Melon Mask’s depression is also tied to the issues his headquarters is facing.

But I think the real thing that most triggered Melon Mask’s ego is the Necropolis.

If we borrow Valentine’s words, the Necropolis, created by a genius who could turn Melon Mask into Melon Mask, is now growing on a scale beyond Viva! Apocalypse!.

Even now, Valentine is actively contacting the creators of Necropolis, but the mysterious creator of Necropolis is still shrouded in secrecy.

This might be the real reason why Melon Mask put everything aside and wanted to come back to Earth.

VIVA_BOT014: Now, even though Dongtanmom and m9 aren’t here, the Korean board has been producing the best content among all the world’s boards, like the proud people of Korea. Melon Mask always praised this board. Maybe it’s thanks to you all that Melon Mask was able to survive this long.

VIVA_BOT014: I know it’s a tough time, but I’m asking you all for help.

With that, VivaBot made a sudden request and closed the chat room.

Of course, she didn’t forget to send a private message to Skeleton, the hidden administrator with another identity, TwelveSquare.

VIVA_BOT014's message: Skeleton~

SKELTON: (Skeleton’s serious expression)

VIVA_BOT014's message: ? What’s going on?

SKELTON: (Skeleton's determination)

VIVA_BOT014's message: Oh? Could it be?!

SKELTON: (Skeleton's sharp look)

VIVA_BOT014's message: Did we just get on the same page? Is that it?

SKELTON: (Skeleton nods)

VIVA_BOT014's message: As expected, Skeleton! You always play your part when it matters.

SKELTON: ······.

VIVA_BOT014's message: If there’s no material, I was going to give you one, but if you’re this enthusiastic, I guess I don’t need to offer advice. You are the hero of us all, Skeleton.

SKELTON: (Skeleton's curious look) [N O V E L I G H T] What material?

VIVA_BOT014's message: Ah, it’s nothing special. Melon Mask suddenly mentioned m9 in the company-wide staff group chat.

SKELTON: m9?

VIVA_BOT014's message: Yes. m9 had a dream about the tilted... apartment collapsing.

SKELTON: I’ve had that dream too. No one who’s seen that apartment hasn’t had a dream like that at least once.

VIVA_BOT014's message: I see. Anyway, I’ll leave this to you, Skeleton. It’s tight, but do you think something can be done within a week? Melon Mask is seriously freaking out.

SKELTON: You can count on me.

It’s a tough task, but that's what makes it worthwhile.

I've been neglecting time for my soul, having been busy expanding my network, reinforcing my territory, and going on various excursions.

Everyone has a need for creation and art.

Even I, once called a professor, am no exception.

I too have the desire to create.

"Boom-chicka boom boom, chicka chicka chicka chicka whoo-roo chop!"

Beatboxing.

One of my few hobbies.

This time, I tried something new, deviating from my usual skills, after watching some Western videos to learn some hot new techniques.

"Chh-kk, kk-kk, kkkh-ckk, kkrrgh- krbap-."

As I was passionately performing, sweat starting to bead on my forehead, I heard a knock on the door.

"What’s up?"

I checked the identity of the uninvited guest through the hidden CCTV at the entrance.

It was Cheon Young-jae.

"Huh? It’s you, senior?"

"What’s going on?"

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

"I heard some strange sounds from inside."

"Not a fun sound?"

"Fun? Hell no, I thought there was a monster inside!"

"······."

I didn’t want to talk to someone who didn’t understand art.

But there are too many people who don’t understand it.

"What’s going on? Skeleton?"

This time, it was Da-jeong who came by.

"Is it that beatboxing again?"

"?"

"Seriously, aren't you getting tired of it? I thought it was a concept, but you’re doing it for real?"

"What brings you here?"

"Isn’t it okay for me to come?"

"······."

"What? Are you mad about something like that? Have you seen the board? The chatroom record that VivaBot posted as an announcement?"

It seemed that Hong Da-jeong had just seen the announcement.

"Yeah. I know about it."

"Got anything you’re preparing?"

"No. Nothing."

"Well, we’re preparing something too."

"What?"

"m9’s apartment tour."

"m9?"

"Melon Mask liked m9’s apartment, didn’t he?"

Did he?

Now that I think about it, he did mention the name.

But m9, unlike me, probably never had a direct exchange of messages with Melon Mask.

"m9 hasn’t posted in 10 days. I think he’s not going to die just like that. The apartment has to collapse for him to die. Don’t you think the apartment’s already collapsed?"

"It’s not a completely impossible thought. But how do you plan to investigate?"

"We’re planning to launch a drone. You know there’s an airstrip nearby, right? We’re thinking of launching a fairly large one. Ha Tae-ho has agreed to help."

"The big drone from before?"

"I can’t bring that one. It’s over 500kg. It’s not that big, but I’m thinking of flying a medium-sized drone that’s stable enough to need a runway. It’s big enough, so it has a good range and I can use a decent camera."

My feelings toward Hong Da-jeong had slightly soured recently, but seeing her excitedly chatter in front of me made me think I made the right decision bringing her along.

She was cute, and most of all...

"For Melon Mask?"

When I asked, Da-jeong smiled brightly and nodded.

"Well, he’s our leader, right? Even if he’s a little weird."

She truly cares for our board.

Though she’s not 100% an original user, she has the legacy of a 98% pure user.

I respect that.

"Do you have anything prepared, Skeleton?"

"Me?"

"Yeah. You never miss out on events like this, right?"

What should I say?

I’m a surprise person.

I like to shock people.

If my beatboxing so far had been a frog in a well, this time I absorbed the techniques of top-class North American beatboxers and reinterpreted them as my own.

So, the past me and the present me are completely different.

"Well, I’m thinking about it."

"I see."

Da-jeong nodded, scratching her chin.

As she was leaving the bunker with light steps, she suddenly turned back to look at me.

"You’re not planning to post another beatbox, are you?"

"?"

"I think you’d better not."

Hong Da-jeong advised me as she left the bunker.

"······."

People have misconceptions about me.

They think the professor is highly rational and quick to give up.

But how could someone who gives up quickly ever reach the top?

I have my stubbornness.

There are things I won’t compromise on.

I showed VivaBot a surprise performance that day, full of the anger of an oppressed creator.

VIVA_BOT014: Ha······. freewebnσvel.cѳm

"?"

VIVA_BOT014: ······.

The response doesn’t seem very positive.

"······."

Tap-tap-tap

SKELTON: (Skeleton watches carefully) Glances