WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator/Editor: Ryuu
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ The Little Prince of the Ossuary

00009 <-- The Little Prince of the Ossuary -->

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Following his lead, we arrived at a large tent designed to accommodate 24 people. I peeked inside through a window first, thinking it might be a trap. There was only a single incandescent bulb hanging in the center for light. Eyes flickered uneasily in the dark, and our gazes met. Everyone was on guard.

It was strange. There were nearly twice as many people as the tent's intended capacity. The number of tents should have been sufficient regardless of the facilities. As soon as I harbored this doubt, the AI responded.

「AI Advice (Insight Level 6): The more people there are, the more safety can be assured. It is likely a coalition of weak single factions or unaffiliated individuals.」

Indeed, that made sense. A bit more thought made it clear. Powerful factions would occupy a whole sector, so there was no reason for one tent to be overcrowded.

Gyeoul followed Yeon-cheol inside.

A slight tension filled the air. Yeon-cheol clapped his hands to gather attention and introduced Gyeoul to the somewhat subdued crowd.

"Those of you who have worked with him before or heard the rumors might already know this, but there's an order to everything. Allow me to introduce Han Gyeoul-ssi. Please welcome him with applause."

The introduction was unbearably awkward. Referring to someone significantly younger as '-ssi' was odd, and asking for applause in a situation far from festive was bizarre. However, it seemed no one had the leisure to point this out. For Yeon-cheol, it must have been his best effort.

More than half of the group appeared incapable of fighting. There were infants barely able to walk with their mothers, numerous emaciated women, patients, and the elderly mixed in. They all looked naive and scared. However, there were enough robust men that resistance seemed possible if necessary.

After the clumsy applause subsided, Gyeoul was offered a chair near the stove in the center, the most respectable seat available. The rest used folding chairs, or if none were available, sat directly on the ground.

Gyeoul spoke.

"I guess I have an idea why you called me."

"Is that so?"

Yeon-cheol's face stiffened, and the boy nodded.

"Is it to ask me to stay with you? Essentially, you're asking for my protection."

There was no immediate reply, but the silence confirmed it. If it were a denial, it would have been expressed promptly.

"How miserable."

An elderly voice broke the silence. It was an old man with age spots on his face, his wrinkles deepened by time. He sighed and continued.

"It's pathetic. Shameful. We've no dignity left. To think, at my age, I'm hoping for help from a boy younger than my grandson. I must be out of my mind. What's the point of living... I'd rather just die."

"Sir, you shouldn't say such things."

Yeon-cheol interrupted, flustered, watching the boy's reaction.

"We had quite an ordeal on the way here. Including a member of the ‘Korean Patriotic Association’, we were followed by 11 people. Gyeoul noticed and called them all out, threatening them until they left. The rumors about him were all true. You can't judge by age alone."

Then he pleaded with Gyeoul in a begging tone.

"Did I upset you?"

"Not really. I am young, after all."

Even in reality, he would have accepted it. He knew about the penalties for interacting with minors in the game's system. Why would virtual reality be any different? There was no new reason to be upset. It wasn't the time to pretend to be angry.

The reactions of these people were what the boy considered the most realistic. The AI's composition based on TOM readings would normally be like this. TOM refers to the brain's mechanism for interpreting emotions.

Yeon-cheol, unsure if Gyeoul's response was sincere or just polite, cautiously broached the main topic.

"I didn't mean to impose, but you're right, Gyeoul-ssi. We do need help. None of us belong to any organization, and because of that, we've suffered quite a bit. We thought if someone influential like you could represent us, we could emerge as our own group. That's why we invited you."

"How many are 'we' in total?"

"About seventy-nine..."

His trailing voice likely indicated a lack of useful members. In harsh times, the useless are the first to be abandoned. This was a coalition of those who had been discarded.

Gyeoul reframed his question.

"How many can fight?"

Just as Yeon-cheol was about to answer, Gyeoul emphasized.

"Be honest."

His brief demand was forceful and intimidating. It was necessary. It was time for leadership experience, which could only be gained in a position leading a community.

Although considering their proposal positively, he couldn't just show a kind and gentle side if he was to take and maintain a leadership position. He would be easily exploited or betrayed. This was a well-known fact from multiple past experiences. Given his young age, it was easy to underestimate him. Being too soft wouldn't do.

The boy was skilled at understanding others, more from necessity due to taking care of his family from a young age than innate talent. Personally, he found AI easier to deal with than people.

If they resorted to lies now and were found out later, it was clear Gyeoul would withdraw his interest. It was likely better to start with the truth, and Yeon-cheol seemed to understand this. He sighed.

"Seventeen."

"That's too few."

The tent was filled with a chill, as if an early winter had arrived, following Gyeoul's blunt assessment. Yeon-cheol sighed again and fell silent for a long time before speaking with difficulty.

"I know. Someone like you, Gyeoul-ssi, could receive good treatment in any organization. If you're still alone, I thought it might be because you find something uncomfortable or disapprove of their actions. If I'm right, please help us. I'm begging you."

"I see taking care of myself as a challenge already."

Negotiations of push and pull. The more desperate side loses. Giving the impression of reluctance now would make it harder for them to complain later. Joining any of the existing organizations would be tiring due to their immoral community tendencies. Every organization has its intrigues and corruptions, though some enjoy that.

No matter the conditions, he had no intention of joining, but the weak also harbor their malice. Even now, there were sharp looks that refused to acknowledge the boy.

Thinking he was only useful for the moment, but ultimately just a kid. Believing their own abilities superior, they expected to take his place soon enough.

Or the selfish glares. Not wanting to risk themselves, they didn't care who took the blame. People were ready to impose responsibility on anyone, young or old.

Weakness does not necessarily imply goodness. Often, the weak become wicked to survive. The oppressed easily oppress those even weaker because they must survive.

But this doesn't prove they are inherently unkind. Most would repent and regret if circumstances changed. Virtual reality, a decadent imitation of reality, might be just as sophisticated.

Although it was hard to be certain due to their ragged appearance, a woman who looked to be a university student raised her hand. Her confident expression was striking.

"We don't plan to just receive help. If you can protect us from other groups' tyranny, we'll follow most orders. You'll be our leader."

Empty flattery. She knew how to play on a woman's psyche. Gyeoul read in her eyes the intent to use him for being young. Even if not overtly intentional, there might be subconscious motives at play.

Following her, others voiced their thoughts in a chain.

"To be honest, it's embarrassing to ask someone not yet an adult for help. 'Even that kid had the courage to become famous, what am I doing as an adult?' But in situations like these, pride doesn't matter. We have no choice but to accept it. You said your name was Gyeoul, right? You're far better than a cowardly adult like me. What does age matter if adults can't even take care of themselves?"

"It's been a while since I could properly feed myself. I'd like to try something, but my body's too weak now. Gyeoul-ssi, please help us. A few good meals and we might regain the strength to do something."

"Yes, young man. If we need to scavenge for food again, it's better to rely on our own people than those we can't trust, right? Our gentleman here may be older, but he's a Marine Corps veteran."

"I've been starving, hardly producing milk. I don't mind dying, but I want my child to live."

At this point, Gyeoul felt an old, heavy lump rolling and bumping in his chest like a rock. It was burdensome. Parents, that is. They had become one of his sensitive topics, not just parents but his entire family.

He raised a hand to stem the flow of words and looked at the woman holding a baby. She looked haggard and thin, her face aged by her sunken cheeks. What might she have looked like before? Her features were distinct. He asked as he observed her quietly.

"Where is the father?"

"......"

Either injured or dead. That was the expectation, but the truth differed. The woman closed her mouth tightly with an annoyed expression. Another woman, who had mentioned the gentleman earlier, answered on her behalf.

"He remarried."

"Remarried?"

"He joined the ‘Damul Promotion Association’, and they provided him with a woman, so he started a new family."

This was a scenario Gyeoul had encountered just once before.

After hearing various other remarks, Gyeoul stood up.

"I'll consider your proposal. It's hard to decide right now."

Leaving them with this thought, he offered a carrot.

"Take this for now."

"Oh, this is..."

He handed over a stack of ration cards he had kept in his pocket. They included a small surplus given personally by Lieutenant Capston before the procurement mission and a significant amount awarded for his outstanding performance during the mission, enough for ten people for five days.

The casual revelation of the ration cards astonished everyone. Urgent faces. Hands reaching out hesitated upon meeting his gaze. Some even cried. In the current camp, offering food was a significant concession, more valuable than a sip of water to a thirsty person. This action alone could change their perception of the boy.

"I'll be at the distribution center as soon as possible after dinner. Since I had some trouble on the way here, I don't think they'll dare to attack me openly to steal them."

Those heading to the distribution center would naturally have their ration cards, making it the most common place for thefts.

This type of consideration, demonstrating leadership qualities before making a decision, significantly alters the psychological state of the initial community members. It's the advantage of keeping them waiting before acceptance.

Gyeoul left the tent amidst eager yet still calculating farewells.

Footnotes:

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