2. Just a Participant.

The world had advanced, leaving people like Zephyr behind.

Relationships were fragile, like threads of cotton that would snap at the slightest tension.

Friends were mere illusions, hiding behind the thick masks of friendship, using others as disposable objects. Once their purpose was fulfilled, people like Zephyr were discarded, never to be needed again.

If life were a race, Zephyr played the role of a participant—neither a winner nor a loser. The sole reason for his existence was to fill the gaps so the race won't feel empty. He existed to dream big and work hard, yet to remain in a position where neither praises nor condemnations reached him.

"Haha!" Zephyr let out a nervous laugh as he stared at the television screen.

An advertisement showcased a gaming pod that promised an unprecedented virtual reality experience.

"Have I become so consumed by work that I'm oblivious to recent technology?" Zephyr's mood darkened.

He was far behind in this race, so far that he couldn't see the world clearly.

"I-I need a break." Zephyr, a young man of twenty-five, felt exhausted.

Mentally, physically, and spiritually drained.

His body refused to move, and his mind refused to function.

"Oni-chan! Order now and get a special chance to play with me!" The attractive girl in the advertisement spoke in a cute voice, winking at the camera. A cheeky smile that would make any old man drool.

"Nah, I'll pass... Can't trust girls anymore." The girl on the television froze, and as if in response to his words, her image was replaced by an older man giving his feedback.

His before-and-after images appeared, showcasing the man's incredible transformation.

"Well, they can manipulate technology. What do they call it? Ummm... Photoshop and video editors... I don't believe it." Zephyr finished his last can of warm beer.

"Eeek, it's warm... fuck." Zephyr despised warm beer, even though it was only his fourth... or maybe fifth day of drinking? Time seemed irrelevant to him.

The old man flustered and said, "Order now and get a special fifty percent—"

"Nah, too low." Zephyr was about to switch off the television when the man on the screen shouted,

"NINETY! Not a penny higher than this, you bastards! Ninety percent discount, that's it!" The old man scowled.

"Oh," Zephyr's Asian instincts raised and piqued interest in the deal.

"Ninety, huh? Now we're talking..." He smirked.

If not for his drunken state, he might have been alarmed to see the man wiping sweat off his forehead in the midst of an advertisement.

"I could use some games to take my mind off that bitch." Zephyr messaged his boss and used up all his remaining holidays for the year.

As a government job in the archaeology department, Zephyr utilized the month's worth of accumulated leave he had earned over four years. His boss, however, requested that he not exceed this duration.

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"Guess the boss won't find a better slave than me anyway," Zephyr thought, fully aware that he was not the main character of this story. He was just a participant.

...

[The next day]

Ding~ dong~

If it had been an American delivery company, they might have simply thrown the package outside and left.

But this wasn't the case.

The conscientious worker from the FedUp delivery company knew his responsibilities well.

After ringing the bell for the thirtieth time, he stood outside the door of a small yet neat and beautiful apartment complex.

The customer had ordered a large item, making it a cumbersome task to carry it and potentially redeliver it if needed.

"Haaa... Please open the door," he sighed. Peering through his small eyes, he was about to ring the bell again when the door suddenly swung open.

A man with a pale complexion appeared on the other side.

"I-I-I'm sorry. I'm extremely sorry. I was just br—" The man quickly retreated.

A second later, the delivery guy heard the sound of someone retching, a sound that would haunt him for life.

As a fellow member of the nerdy society, the delivery guy could tell that his fellow brother was suffering.

"I have an hour before the next delivery," he thought, and without permission, entered the customer's house.

"S-sorry for the intrusion!" He announced and went to help the man who was clearly in no condition to function.

...

Unexpectedly, just a week after Zephyr had cursed humanity to no end, he witnessed the brighter side of human nature.

The unknown delivery guy not only patted his back while he vomited but also listened to his ramblings and even helped clean up the apartment!

"I'm really sorry for the mess. You had to suffer because of me... and get delayed at work..." Zephyr apologized profusely.

The man simply shook his head and said, "Aren't we all supposed to help each other? It wasn't a big deal. I've seen people in crazier—uh, I mean, more dangerous situations. I'm just glad you're okay."

"You're an angel, man!" Zephyr exclaimed, bowing his head in respect.

The delivery man froze... 'How... how does he know?' His head snapped up, his eyes widening in surprise as he looked at Zephyr.

Zephyr was unaware of what the man was thinking, but he knew he owed him a great deal.

"Please accept this!" Zephyr presented his credit card to the man.

"S-Sir! How can I?! The payment has already been made!" The man was flabbergasted.

"Then at least... um... a tip? No, that sounds too American... How about some tteokbokki?" Zephyr suggested.

"Ah! I'd love that!" The delivery man's eyes sparkled with delight.

...

After a heartfelt conversation with Zephyr, the man finally brought the gaming pod and delivered it to him.

"Oh, I'm sorry, but what's your name, sir?" Zephyr displayed the utmost respect for the angelic man before him.

"Oh! It's Kai," the man replied with a smile.

Zephyr froze... His heart pounded louder and louder... 'No! No! I don't swing that way!' He forcefully brought himself back to reality.

"Well, I'll always remember that! And I hope we meet again." Zephyr bowed deeply once more.

The delivery guy was so refined that he even removed his shoes outside the house—a display of impeccable etiquette.

"Well, if we ever cross paths again!" Kai said, flashing another heartwarming smile.

"What do you mean, Mr. Kai? We will meet someday, for sure!" Zephyr responded awkwardly.

"Just copyright issues—I mean, yeah, sure, sure!" Kai left after accepting Zephyr's apology for the umpteenth time.

...

After Kai's departure, Zephyr had more pressing matters at hand.

"Now, what should I do with this?" He knew he wanted to play the game, but he couldn't neglect his responsibilities, could he?

"Electricity bill, gas bill, internet bill... Ugh... So many things to take care of before diving into that gaming pod." Despite wasting time drinking and breaking things, Zephyr still expected himself to tidy up before hibernating.

"And there's the manual to enter the game, especially that book with the hideous skull on it. It's a cautionary book I must read." As a self-proclaimed caveman, Zephyr felt it necessary to educate himself about the latest technology before immersing his head in an unfamiliar machine.

"Haah! My rations are also running out..." There were too many things demanding his attention before he could escape into the world of stress relief.

...

"Finally!" Zephyr sighed in relief as he sank into the soft cushions of the sofa.

He had completed all the listed tasks and was finally ready to play the game.

There was no excitement like he used to feel during work or when he was a child.

His feet hesitated.

What if Mira tried to contact him after not finding him for a week or two?

What if she worried? What if she reached out, but he didn't answer, causing her even more distress?

What if...

Slap!

"Stop it! Shut up!" Zephyr shouted at himself.

"Forget about that woman! For God's sake, please!" Zephyr's eyes were dry. No matter what, he couldn't cry anymore.

After all, life was a race.

No one waited for anyone.

No one cared for anyone unless they were useful.

And no one cared for a participant like him.

Just a Participant like him...