WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator/Editor: Ryuu

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ The Little Prince in the Ossuary

00032 <-- The Little Prince of the Ossuary -->

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#Comfort

For the first time in a long while, Gyeoul found solace in the cozy darkness of winter. It was a pitch-black, weightless void. The stars he had collected filled the round celestial sphere. Even as starlight scattered, it touched nothing. Every direction was just an endless void. That was good. If there was something, he would have to deceive himself into thinking it was real.

After that, he would have to desperately try to stop the thoughts that followed.

Yes, darkness was good. A sanctuary for the mind's rest.

Since the twenty-seventh game began, he had never sought this place.

‘Because I had to become someone else.’

In truth, he should never have returned. Here, there was only Gyeoul, and nothing else. Thus, he would revert to his true self. It was troublesome.

But he couldn't stay away. The capricious stone in his chest felt especially heavy today. Its weight pulled him into the abyss. Gyeoul waited. With time, it would lighten. It was a waiting he had grown accustomed to throughout his life.

To sink the torn fragments of his heart into silent oblivion. To let the inflated past turn into small sediments. This was the only way he could console himself.

Yet, it didn't sink easily.

Today's fresh wound was his most humiliating memory. Rarely had he been treated as a complete human in his life. Still, never had he been so thoroughly handled as an object as he was then. A rage simmering like molten lava. Sharp, hot stones. Ready to explode at any moment.

He tried to think of something else. Fortunately, there was one thing. Someone else who, like him, wasn't treated as a human. It was a brief encounter, but their sorrow left a deep impression. Knowing there was another like him in the world. Realizing he wasn't the only one living in pain.

It eased his loneliness a little.

How long had he drifted in silence? There was a signal that awakened him. Light and sound. A message from non-human intelligence, telling him it was time to return to the people who had lost their compassion, searching for another life because they had none of their own. Gyeoul sighed. The night that passed while he hesitated was too short.

He wasn't complete yet.

‘Can I do it?’

He had no choice.

#Negotiation, Camp Roberts (2)

Gyeoul had his eyes closed. His still churning emotions were the cause. Even standing still, it felt like the ground was rippling. A little more to immerse himself.

Three. Two. One.

When he opened his eyes, he asked quietly.

"You can't understand it?"

Two people stood in front of him. Park Jin-seok and Yura, who had been waiting for him in front of the quarters. Yura looked intimidated, while Jin-seok watched Gyeoul warily. It was because of the boy's earlier silence with closed eyes. They seemed to think he was angry.

However, given his nature, he wouldn't avoid speaking his mind. Jin-seok nodded.

"Yes. I would accept it if it were Je-jung hyung, b not Yura-ssi. Remember what happened in Paso Robles? She endangered everyone."

It was a protest against making Yura the combat squad leader. He argued that courage and ability were different. Jin-seok’s honorifics were now fairly stable. That was Gyeoul’s standing. His overly formal tone was his own effort to erase the remaining awkwardness.

"Compared to those who only care about themselves, Yura-ssi is much better. Still, we must separate will and skill. I don't think Yura-ssi is qualified to lead anyone."

He also desired the position of combat squad leader. That wasn't necessarily a bad thing. A person without ambition also lacks motivation. Thus, it was a kind of talent. To prevent the "Gyeoul Alliance" from falling into complacency, someone like Jin-seok was needed.

Normally, that would be true.

Right now, Yura should not bow her head. Gyeoul spoke.

"Do I have that qualification?"

"What?"

"By your standards, didn’t I also endanger everyone...?"

He looked shocked. Jin-seok was greatly disturbed. His face turned red from embarrassment.

Currently, Gyeoul had standing, skill, and accomplishments. Thus, Jin-seok had to defend Gyeoul. However, it wouldn’t be easy. He likely still believed Gyeoul’s decisions in Paso Robles were wrong.

Before Jin-seok could respond, Gyeoul turned to Yura.

"What do you think?"

She hesitated. Many emotions crossed her face. Mostly guilt and fear, with a lack of confidence next. The boy waited calmly. Sure enough, her words matched his expectations.

"I'm a woman and... I'm weak. I'm sorry. I appreciate your trust, but I'm not confident."

There were people watching closely. The boy wasn't foolish enough not to understand what that meant. Yura was aware of it too. In fact, it was those gazes that pressured her to this point. It must have been a source of strength for Jin-seok as well.

Yura, choosing her words carefully, spoke again.

"It's fine if I get hurt or die. But I can’t let others get hurt because of me. I can't handle it. I lack the skills. And...”

"And?"

"Most of those who go outside are men. I think Jin-seok would be much more comfortable for everyone than me."

"That's exactly it."

Gyeoul smiled. Yura and Jin-seok were puzzled. Yura tilted her head.

"What do you mean?"

"Jin-seok, could you turn around and cover your ears for a moment?"

"What? Why..."

"Please."

It looked ridiculous. Jin-seok, though uncomfortable, complied. The others, standing far off and pretending not to eavesdrop, retreated further under Gyeoul’s gaze. The awkward coughing sounds were a bonus.

Yura, nervous about what would be said, watched as Gyeoul gently shook his head.

"There's no need to be nervous. I'm just going to explain why I chose you as the first combat squad leader. Just listen. If you still don't like it, I'll change the decision."

"Ah! Yes, yes!"

His words to relax were useless. Yura clenched her fists and swallowed dryly. She approached for a more secretive conversation. Gyeoul thought, it will get better over time.

"You mentioned earlier that mainly men go out."

"So what?"

"The gender ratio is the problem."

He continued calmly.

"The ratio is already skewed. Do you know why? Every time something happens, men primarily step up, men fight, men die. Even during the evacuation to the camp, more men likely died. Now, they die in external activities and clashes between organizations."

In high-crime areas, more men die. Strength and violence are predominantly male domains, so fighting and dying are their lot. It's simply the principle that the best resources deplete first.

Here, in the refugee camp at Camp Roberts, the crime rate is higher than any crime-ridden area before the pandemic. Because every group of refugees wanting to protect themselves is half a violent organization.

"It will get worse. The atmosphere will worsen because mentally sound men die quickly. Those with strong morals and responsibility are the first to confront injustice and take risks for everyone. It’s rare to find someone like Jin-seok. He's an impatient but decent person."

Yura nodded vigorously. Even within the "Gyeoul Alliance," there were several men whose behavior was suspicious. The percentage was higher among men, just as Gyeoul said, because sensible men died off quickly.

Ability and conscience do not correlate.

It was the same in San Miguel. When everyone rushed to the roadside restaurant, a man knocked others down and filled his own bag first.

Among the refugee volunteers, he had the best physical condition.

"When that happens, what do you think the remaining men will start demanding from the women? I'm worried about that."

Yura's expression was troubled.

"There’s logic, but it might be an unnecessary worry. Didn't they say women's rights strengthened when the number of men decreased?"

She was vaguely referring to cases like France or the old Soviet Union. But the current refugee camp didn't apply.

"That's difficult here. Women don't have roles. We have to get everything from outside. Haven't you noticed how other organizations operate?"

Women's rights increased during wartime because they sustained the society’s productivity, but in Camp Roberts, there was no proper society, much less means of production.

"Um..."

Yura fiddled with her fingers, looking troubled. Her next words were almost a whimper.

"Even with you as our leader… will that still happen?"

"What if men with twisted minds protest as a group or defect to other organizations? I can't handle the entire alliance alone. Even if it doesn't happen, it's too big a risk to ignore. We have to prevent it."

In the ‘Days after Apocalypse’ setting, some users deliberately caused such issues. They tried to implement polygamy or polyandry within the community. To them, it wasn't a problem but a goal.

It usually went like this. First, they reduced the number of men, leaving only the capable ones. They added a trick in the process. Every time women went out, they intentionally sacrificed men. Men who would have died anyway. Upon return, they claimed men died instead of women. Women had to die occasionally too, to instill fear among them.

Repeated lies became the truth. The community's consciousness changed, and women limited their roles themselves. The existing sacrifices served as evidence, making it hard to refute.

Both men and women wanted to live. Women were given the advantage of not being directly exposed to external dangers. Thus, it became easier to convince themselves. They abandoned responsibility and rights for greater safety.

Yes. Concession meant a shift in power.

The control AI reacted to his stream of consciousness.

「AI Advice (Insight Level 10): 『Community Trait – Male Dominance』」

「To apply this trait to the community, the following conditions must be met: 『① Female to male ratio exceeds 180%.』, 『② More than 30% of women in the community must have the Weak-Willed trait.』, 『③ The average skill level of men in the community must be at least 5 levels higher than women.』, 『④ Form a community opinion unfavorable to women.』, 『⑤ Assign the Conservative trait to more than 80% of community members.』……….」

「Expected effects of applying 『Community Trait – Male Dominance』 to the 『Gyeoul Alliance』 are: 『① Possible implementation of polygamy.』, 『② Strong immutable downward correction to organizational efficiency, integrity, diversity, and productivity.』, 『③ Strong immutable downward correction to women's productivity.』, 『④ Critical immutable downward correction to women's external activities.』, 『⑤ Downward correction to men's willpower.』……….」

There was no need to read further. There were almost no advantages, and the disadvantages were overwhelming. It might not matter to those who had accumulated playthroughs or DLC, but Gyeoul had no intention of doing so. He simply disliked it.

"I understand what you want from me."

Yura sighed after contemplating.

"Just as you’re the face of the military, I should be your face?"

"That's right. I think no one else can do it but you."

"That's absurd! I'm so inadequate!"

She clutched her forehead, looking distressed. She had the courage, but no confidence in her abilities. So her courage manifested passively. If no one else stepped up, she would. That was how it was in Paso Robles too.

"I’m really not cut out for fighting. You know that..."

"I don't know that."

Yura was at a loss for words. Gyeoul added gently.

"Be confident. You volunteered to go out and face even greater danger again. That’s real talent. Fighting? Honestly, no one here is good at it. From my perspective, they’re all the same. It's like comparing acorns."

"That’s because your standards are too high."

Yura looked incredulous. To her, Gyeoul was already an extraordinary figure.

"Can’t you trust my judgment? Do you not trust me?"

"No… that’s not..."

Unable to say she didn’t trust him, she made a distressed face again. Gyeoul pressed further.

"If it’s too hard, you can quit."

"Really? Why? Wouldn't that be a waste of time and opportunity? Another person could grow from the experience..."

"It's not a waste. Remember in Paso Robles when I said I needed goats?"

"Oh? Yes, but what does that..."

Gyeoul told her the story of "The King of Carthamo." Then he continued soothingly.

"I'm serious. If it’s hard, you can stop. There will still be work for you. Experience is never wasted."

"Ugh."

Holding her forehead and groaning, Yura finally agreed.

"With how you’re insisting, I'll try."

"Wow, thank you."

Gyeoul brightened. Yura sighed, then followed suit and smiled.

"I don’t know what you see in me, but I’ll do my best not to disappoint you."

"Yes. Please continue to help."

Jin-seok still stood turned around. Gyeoul tapped his shoulder. The young man turned quietly, showing no surprise. Gyeoul gestured towards his ears.

"You can uncover your ears now."

"Is it over?"

"Yeah."

Gyeoul looked him straight in the eye. Jin-seok quickly averted his gaze.

The fact that he stayed still with his ears covered. That he didn’t flinch when tapped. And finally, averting his gaze. His expression. Enough clues to read his mind.

He eavesdropped.

Gyeoul worried he might not have. He must have heard the praise about him.

‘He must still be mindful of that incident.’

Unresolved conflicts leave sediments.

How does Gyeoul view me? Now that his leadership is established, will he disadvantage me? Such anxieties. He surely harbored them. Unanswerable worries eventually lead to unnecessary anger.

So he did this. It would work better than open praise.

Pretending not to know, Gyeoul spoke.

"Yura-ssi becoming the combat squad leader is decided. As a leader’s decision, it won’t be reversed."

"Understood."

There was no strong opposition. It was likely because he realized Gyeoul didn’t hate him, giving him a sense of relief. From that reaction, Gyeoul was sure he had listened. He continued.

"But there’s one thing you should know."

"What is it?"

"I mentioned Yura-ssi as the 'first.' People seemed to overlook that."

"So..."

Hopeful anticipation. Gyeoul nodded.

"We have to form a volunteer platoon. I see the combat squad leader as equivalent to a squad leader. We need at least two, ideally four, considering rotations. I think of you as the second. Not possible today due to manpower issues though."

"I'll wait."

His tone became more resolute.

"If there’s nothing more, may I leave? I should also meet the people from Sumiyoshi-kai."

Jin-seok grew tense.

"Be careful."

"Of course."

He even bowed, though it was purely formal.

Yura was still worried.

"As the combat squad leader, shouldn't I accompany you for protection if it's dangerous?"

"I don't expect that much yet. I’ll only give you tasks within your ability, so don’t worry."

"Ah, that’s a relief."

She brightened, then turned serious again to warn Gyeoul.

"Those people are very scary. They’re desperate and extremely fierce."

"It'll be fine. They still have their heads, so they won't do anything to me in this situation."

"I see..."

Reassured, she finally left.

There was still someone with business with Gyeoul.

"What brings you, Vice-Captain Min?"

Min Wan-ki approached quietly, warning in a low voice.

"There are people instigating Park Jin-seok."

"Yes, I expected that."

Gyeoul sensed the watchful eyes. Among them, greedy individuals probably positioned themselves as Jin-seok's supporters. Building power, forming alliances.

Min Wan-ki seemed surprised by Gyeoul’s easy acceptance.

"Yet you promised him the position of combat squad leader?"

"It's easier to manage potential troublemakers when they’re visible. Someone like Jin-seok makes a good bait, doesn’t he?"

“......”

The boy’s nonchalant tone.

Hmm. Min Wan-ki adjusted his glasses, evaluating the boy.

"You’re more fearsome than I thought, Little Captain."

"Not really. I try to be kind only to those who deserve it. Besides, this is hypothetical. I don't intend to have to deal with it."

His words were modest but weighty. The middle-aged scholar smiled in satisfaction. He was a man who knew how to find his own tasks.

"I'll keep a close watch on both of them."

Gyeoul nodded. Now that Yura was marked as an executive, deep approaches and temptations would occur. People wanting to gain something by getting close to her. Factions.

People and desires are inseparable.

--------------------------- Author’s Note ---------------------------

#Author's Dream of the Future

Author: You! Become my reader!

Putin: Sure!

Footnotes:

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