The Little Prince in the Ossuary-Chapter 128 : Management Rationalization Committee, 2053

Management Rationalization Committee, 2053

「Committee Member A: Ah, committee members. Please stop what you're doing and come back online. We will now begin the regular general meeting of the Korea Economic Reform Committee. Now, let's see, which session is this again?」

「Committee Member B: Really now. Today we're gathered as members of the Management Rationalization Committee of the Afterlife Insurance Agency, not the Economic Reform Committee. You've also pulled up the wrong data. Please correct it.」

「Committee Member 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 same every time. Hahaha.」

(Sound of people laughing)

「Committee Member E: I understand, but isn't it time for us to get nervous? Control of Paradise group's management 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 improvement during this term.」

「Committee Member C: You're talking about shortening the actual guarantee period.」

「Committee Member E: Please call it management rationalization. Let's refrain from concrete expressions.」

「Committee Member C: Isn't it fine? It's not like we're on the e-government server.」

「Committee Member 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 times 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 me to tears. I just mentioned it lightly to try to lighten the mood, since all the young people these days call it that...」

「Committee Member C: Yes, yes. That's what happens with people who lack expertise. I'll be careful.」

「Committee Member B: It's because of poor civic consciousness. They don't know how to empathize.」

「Committee Member 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 outcomes are already quite good.」

「Committee Member D: Really? That's surprising... I thought satisfaction would actually increase, leading to extended survival periods of surplus subscribers.」

「Committee Member A: You were adamantly against it at the time. It was basically an expansion of free welfare, after all. The initial resource usage was immense too. But the results are promising. Please look at this graph. And refer to the distributed research report.」

「Committee Member 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 Member D: Let's see... An increase in random variables means 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 Member E: That's me.」

「Committee Member D: As the person responsible, what's your view?」

「Committee Member E: I think it worked synergistically with projects we were running.」

「Committee Member D: Hm? Was something going on?」

「Committee Member A: Um, I was planning to discuss the add-ons as the next agenda...」

「Committee Member E: Since it's come up, let's address it now. It's an extension of the same issue anyway.」

「Committee Member A: Sounds like you have something to say.」

「Committee Member E: I just want to brag a little. Heh heh.」 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

「Committee Member C: Huh. Should we get our hopes up?」

「Committee Member 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 merit recipients. Those folks tend to have especially low purchasing power. It's a good excuse to pull budget in the name of veterans' support, too.」

「Committee Member C: Certain types of add-ons? What kind?」

「Committee Member 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 Member C: Killing content. I see.」

「Committee Member E: Yes. It's like soda pop. Sweet and refreshing when you drink it, but quickly makes you thirsty.」

「Committee Member C: So, when they can't adjust to the changed world view, they end up buying killing content to overcome it?」

「Committee Member E: Exactly.」

「Committee Member B: Hmm. Surplus subscribers often go years—sometimes over a decade—without buying anything... Are you saying such people are spending money? Enough that their accounts can't keep existing?」

「Committee Member 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 Member 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 discernment gets.」

「Committee Member 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 something like: "After the free period, service will be automatically converted to paid. If you do not wish this, please cancel directly."」

「Committee Member 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 Member E: Oh, come on. As if I'd get burned twice. Of course I'm careful.」

「Committee Member D: How so?」

「Committee Member 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 Member D: That's wise.」

「Committee Member 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 someone gets deleted because they're lazy despite means to survive, they shouldn't blame the country. They should have made more effort.」

「Committee Member C: Well put. And the use of DLC is, after all, their own choice. Honestly, it's shameless 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 Member 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 Member E: Someone has to do it.」

「Committee Member B: Committee Member E. May I ask one more thing?」

「Committee Member E: Go ahead.」

「Committee Member B: Have there been any civil complaints about the world view upgrades?」

「Committee Member E: Of course there have.」

「Committee Member B: You sound as if it's trivial.」

「Committee Member 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 me, with ample purchasing power—are very pleased. Depending on the criteria, it's a plus-minus zero situation. The magic of statistics.」

「Committee Member C: What about citizens who haven't received the benefits of Afterlife Insurance yet?」

「Committee Member E: Who would dislike knowing the virtual world they'll be interred in has become better? Many say they're dissatisfied with old people even getting such good treatment. 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 came 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 somehow 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 name—or by nickname, if Gyeo-ul was comfortable. It wasn't strange. In that culture, you could become 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 melded 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 caramel 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 achievement 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 me 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 numerous 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 moment 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. Someone 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 perimeter, 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 mean the game can never end? D:

A. This topic came up before, during the "Intermission—the Cancer Solver Munchkin Package Mark 1" part.

《The miracle of capitalism, granting you power to overcome any crisis!

Unsettling? Come on, don't overthink it. Virtual reality imitates real-life entertainment. In reality, money does everything, so shouldn't money do everything in VR too? If you've ever played a Korean-made online package game, 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 someone grows up in there until about age thirty, what kind of person would they become? I'm really curious.

A. There will be a public service announcement 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 streamer"—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 mean 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 method from the story has become 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. :)