Human memory is not accurate. In the '90s, the U.S. was thrown into chaos by daughters who accused their fathers based on distorted childhood memories revealed during therapy sessions. Memories like that can easily become corrupted.
Even without that incident, anyone who's ever experienced déjà vu knows it's one of the classic errors memory produces. The uncertainty of memory is absolute, and even I can't escape it.
"The memories I have will fade and distort, eventually becoming something far removed from the originals."
Memories are romanticized. I believe that's why—the corruption of memory.
"Therefore, my memories of 'Surviving the Entities' are the same."
It's been half a year since I quit the game. Even before that, I hadn't been obsessed with it. It was just a way to kill time, nothing more or less, so by the end of the year, there'd be plenty of gaps.
"Unfortunately, I'm not a web novel protagonist."
I don't have perfect recall that lets me remember not just the novel's title after years or decades, but the protagonist's name, all the events, and even the minor extras' names.
'Until now, that is.'
I opened the notebook, gripped the pen, and closed my eyes. After about a minute, the memory I'd recalled was refined, and I wrote it down.
Notebook Entity
[Writing on this entity ensures the writer remembers it perfectly. It is unaffected by other entities' memory distortions and persists until the writing is erased.]
The effect isn't limited to that.
Notebook Entity
[It is presumed to have a function that restores forgotten memories if you try to write something you can't recall. It seems to forcibly bring the content to mind, as if serving as a memo pad for itself.]
During the half-year hiatus from the game, I was even able to recall memories that had already faded. The content I'm writing now came back the same way.
Notebook Entity
[Drawings made on it are also perfectly retained in memory. Reproducing a remembered drawing elsewhere is no issue, and test subjects report it feels like 'the image is drawn directly in my mind,' etched into the brain.]
I don't know what I could use it for yet, but my drawing skills are decent enough that it might come in handy someday.
Notebook Entity
[Very rarely, answers appear to written questions. Whether the notebook has a consciousness or is connected through some unknown channel to elsewhere where someone responds is unknown—no confirmation yet.]
Creepypasta thrives on mysteries like this, so the bait was never resolved. It was probably just flavorful text with no real meaning, but not anymore.
'This'll be fun to figure out.'
Quietly, at the very top of the first page, I wrote the equation 「1+1=?」.
'Someday, an answer might come.'
I recalled more memories and wrote down the book's info.
Notebook Entity
[Writing your name on the cover ensures it returns to the named person's home address within 24 hours if lost. Erasing the name disables this, and all records on the entity can be erased with an eraser, regardless of what was used to write them.]
Looking at the recalled info, losing it wouldn't be a problem.
Notebook Entity
[Returned entities arrive C.O.D., with the deposit account number on the first page. Remit within 30 days, or the entity vanishes. Shipping is always fixed at 1,000 won, regardless of losses.]
The notebook in my mind wasn't that important, so I'd only skimmed the wiki once. Yet here it was, reviving that memory so vividly.
Notebook Entity
[Tracking the account led to [REDACTED]. Strict prohibition on pursuing this account.]
I'd underestimated the notebook's power. In the game, its effect was just a white window in the corner of the screen where you could jot text and check it anytime.
Notebook Entity
[The entity doesn't diminish with use. Pages increase with usage, but thickness doesn't change. Attempts to count total pages have failed.]
What was just a lame joke setting in the game—never implemented—has become reality, and unlike back then when it was mocked, nothing could be better now.
"Alright, then..."
I stretched and gripped the pen for real.
"From now on, I'll record everything I remember about the entities."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Done."
A week had passed. I'd finally recorded everything I knew from seeing and experiencing the entities.
'At least everything I know is down.'
It wasn't perfect. Even before quitting, the developers had kept updating steadily.
'At least once a month, sometimes twice.'
Updates didn't always add new entities, but half a year meant at least six, so it was safe to assume there were more.
"I hope the entities I don't know are all safe ones."
Unlikely, given the developers' tendencies.
I lay on the bed and closed my eyes. The motel room I'd stayed in for a week now felt like home.
'Just one down so far.'
When I decided to survive in this world, I planned for five things.
Knowledge of entities.
Minimal combat power to survive crises.
Means to detect future dangers.
An identity allowing unrestricted movement.
And wealth to sustain life and acquire necessities easily.
'Of the five, only knowledge so far.'
Even that's not perfect, but it's usable.
'Next up: combat power.'
Not power to kill entities. Minimal power to resist and survive them.
'How could humans beat extinction-grade or city-destroying entities with force?'
Was the game titled Surviving the Entities for nothing?
Weak points might neutralize them briefly, distractions could divert them, evasion works temporarily—but killing them? Impossible.
'What I need is physical ability to run, stun briefly, or lure them.'
Positive events could boost that, but they're random. Right now, the option is...
"Right up there."
I left the familiar motel.
"Goseong, Gangwon-do."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"30,000 won."
"Keep the change."
"Oh, thank you!"
I got out of the taxi and gulped down the crisp, clear air.
'Gangwon-do always has clean air.'
Yangyang was in Gangwon-do too, but I'd only been in the city and motel, so no time to breathe air like this.
"One mocha latte and a chocolate cake, please."
No matter how busy, make time for leisure. Having skipped breakfast, I entered a nearby café and ordered a light brunch.
[Next up: Gangwon-do's traditional festival is about to begin. Recent controversies over inflated prices at such events continue, and festival organizers say...]
The owner was worldly, playing news instead of the usual pop songs in the café. I hadn't caught up on news lately, so I welcomed it—no complaints.
[Amid ongoing abnormal temperatures in the southern regions, this fall is expected to be historically short.]
One issue cropped up. With the game real and knowledge sharp, I now suspected every event was entity-related.
[Fishermen in their 50s fell from a breakwater while fishing and died. Around 3 a.m. yesterday, Mr. A was fishing atop tetrapods when...]
Short fall? Entity. Fishermen deaths? Entity. Soon I might think everything's an entity.
'After getting combat power, grab detection means immediately.'
The mountain at the location from my phone check was visible from the café.
"Unbong Mountain."
A safe-grade entity lives there that grants combat power.
"Good meal."
I finished eating, bought a cucumber and ice water, and headed up Unbong Mountain. On the way, I recalled the event scene when encountering the target entity.
[Goseong's weather was clear and cool, perfect for a hike. Midway up, two paths diverged.]
Past the trailhead, I reached mid-mountain. At Mireukam intersection, only one way to go.
[Neither path appealed. I summoned my adventurous spirit and went straight for the summit.]
Straight to the summit. No path—just rugged rocks and brush welcoming me.
[Something was off. Not a tall mountain, yet no summit no matter how far I went. Too late, I tried returning to the trail, but the intersection vanished too.]
I checked time periodically. Twelve hours gone, soaked in sweat. I rested, ate the cucumber.
[Much time passed, but the sun stayed midday. Time felt frozen; I'd never reach the top.]
Fatigued, a valley finally appeared.
[Then, a valley. No valley on satellite photos—why? Cautiously, fearfully, I entered.]
Inside, a girl stood.
[There, I met a girl. Eyes closed, standing. No response to calls or pokes. What now?]
Pigtails, looking seven or eight, in a pink dress—just like the game, eyes shut.
[Hold the girl's hand and descend.]
[Piggyback the girl and descend.]
[Carry the girl in your arms and descend.]
A safe-grade entity that empowers users based on handling.
"The Girl with Closed Eyes."
Grab her arm and descend: boosts dexterity. Dexterity ups survival odds against manipulation entities.
Piggyback: boosts inspiration for ghosts.
Carry in arms: boosts physique for physical entities.
"Kiddo."
My target: carry her in arms descending.
"Mind if I piggyback you down?"
I asked just in case. In game, no reaction—just mechanical movement text. No expectations.
"No."
The girl answered me.
"Who are you?"