"You can't fire me if I quit!" MC screamed at the man in front of her as he clutched his bloody nose. After a year of working at the shady little bar for the shady little man she had gotten fed up of his constant groping and flirting attempts and just punched him. It seemed like a good idea at the time but she soon realised that now food would be even more sparse than it was before. However that was something future MC could worry about. Holding her head high she stormed out of the bar, her previous boss throwing a long string of curse words her way, but she had been called much worse than a "bitch" or a crack whore" so it didn't particularly phase her.
Somewhere along the way to her probably illegal, one room apartment, and by one room it is quite literally one room; shower, toilet, fridge, and bed all in the same cramped little space, she realised she had left her jacket behind. Technically it wasn't her jacket as some drunk girl had left it in the bar one night but if you believed in the finders keepers rule, which MC did, it was officially her jacket. Normally it wouldn't bother her all that much as she could always steal another one from a thrift shop, but it was late October and she was suddenly painfully aware that her skimpy little barmaid outfit wasn't doing much to stop the bitter cold from biting at her skin.
She pulled her seldom used phone out of her back pocket to check the time, perhaps she could sneak in and grab her coat before they closed up for the night, it was a Sunday and they always closed up early on a Sunday, usually just before midnight.
Just as her hand made contact with her phone it vibrated to alert her of a message. That was odd, that was very odd. She didn't give out her number to anyone so how could someone have it? Intrigued, she opened the message to find that it came through on an app that she didn't remember downloading, she would probably remember something with a name as stupid as 'Mystic Messenger'. Opening the app she was prompted to enter a username and profile picture, she entered her own name and a picture of herself flipping off the camera. She figured she'd humor whoever was messaging her out of curiosity if anything.
Unknown: ...Hello…?
MC: ?
Unknown: Can you see this?
MC: Would I be responding if I couldn't?
Unknown: ...Finally connected. Thank god.
Unknown: It's not everyday you get a text from a stranger.
Unknown: I'm a bit flustered myself. I found a smartphone at a subway station, but all it had was this messenger app.
Unknown: I wanted to find the owner but I don't see any contact info or call records…
Unknown: I've been sending messages with this app but no reply…
Unknown: All I see is an address and some important-looking numbers saved in notes.
Unknown: I'd like to go there but I'm currently abroad…
MC: You're finally gonna let me get a word in edgeways? How kind. First of all, who the fuck are you and how did you contact me?
Unknown: Me? Oh sorry. I didn't even introduce myself.
Unknown: I'm just… a student studying abroad. I'm Korean.
Unknown: I could tell you my name, but it doesn't really matter.
Unknown: You won't find me on search engines ^^;
Unknown: But, anyways…
Unknown: Can you help me find the owner of this phone?
Unknown: I know you're surprised to have somebody suddenly pop up and ask you a favor like this.
Unknown: But still…
Unknown: I'd appreciate it if you could help.
MC rolled her eyes as the messages poured in. Was this person unable to just type a paragraph like any normal person? Did every other word have to be in a separate message?
MC: Well "You won't find me on search engines" definitely doesn't sound shady. Also it's more pissed than surprised, particularly considering the fact that I don't know how you managed to contact me and you seem to be avoiding the question.
MC: Lucky for you, I have no sense of self preservation so I'll play along with whatever this is. How am I expected to help?
Unknown: Uhm… I'd like for you to go to the address saved here.
Unknown: I saw the street view through the Internet, and i've been there before.
Unknown: Its an apartment in downtown. Very crowded.
Unknown: It's really a safe place. If you feel unsafe, you can turn around.
Unknown: I know the area. It's developed.
Unknown: Please?
MC: Ah yes, of course I'll go to some apartment that a creep on the internet has given me the address of. Who wouldn't? It's not like it goes against the basic first rule of talking to strangers online.
Unknown: I'm not a creep.
Unknown: Haven't you ever heard of the saying 'you get a treat if you listen to older men'...?
MC: Honestly can't say I have. I'm more familiar with 'If an old man offers you a treat, don't get in his van'
Unknown: Sorry I was just kidding ^^;;;
Unknown: Anyways…
Unknown: I know I'm asking too much.
Unknown: You might think I'm odd.
Unknown: ...i am a bit odd to be honest.
Unknown: But would you consider it? I'm talking to you right now.
Unknown: Two complete strangers at two completely different places… it's a miracle we've connected.
Unknown: No one responded to my messages. You're the first one.
Unknown: I don't know how we got connected…
Unknown: But maybe this was meant to be?
She weighed the possibilities in her head. On one hand this could be a genuinely nice stranger trying to do a good thing, maybe this was karma screaming at her to play nice and maybe she wont get fucked up the ass for a while. On the other hand, this could be someone who's found a way to lure strangers to their inevitable death and she was next on the list. Either way, she was surprisingly swaying more to agree. To others, it probably sounded crazy, but to her it sounded like an opportunity. The chance to maybe do a good thing and be rewarded for it or the chance to finally escape this world. She wasn't opposed to either of those outcomes. Her phone vibrated to alert her of more messages from this "Unknown". Her eyes were drawn to the picture of a pretty plain looking boy, she was almost certain that if she just googled "boy with green eyes" this would pop up but props to whoever it was for trying.
Unknown: That is me in the photo.
Unknown: Maybe this will make you less suspicious…?
Unknown: I'm returning to Korea soon, so I'll definitely make it up to you.
Unknown: If you feel unsafe near the place, you can just delete the app.
Unknown: Please I'm begging you.
Her mind instantly explored all the possible "make it up to you" scenarios, most of which were fairly explicit however the possibility of maybe getting an ice cream or a decent meal out of this was somehow more appealing. Realising she hadn't replied she snapped out of her curious and imaginative daze and her fingers began gliding over the keys.
MC: Fine, you win. I'll go. Just know that I'm a screamer and a biter if anything dodgy happens.
She meant that in more than one way. Figuring the apartment wouldn't be anywhere near the crummy little shithole she lived in, MC made her way to the closest bus stop. Pleased with her response, Unknown had thanked her and sent the address. After checking google maps she found that sure enough she was right, the apartment was definitely in the posher section of town. She couldn't afford a bus fare so she slipped onto the next bus hidden behind an old lady, sometimes her below average height came in handy. It was almost midnight and this was probably one of the last buses so the driver either didn't seem to notice or didn't seem to care, chances are they were just eager to get home. The bus was a welcome warmth to her freezing skin, she really did miss that jacket the more she thought about it. Maybe she'd be able to pinch one from whoever's apartment she was going to? A girl can dream.
It wasn't long until she realised it was time to hop off, she sent a polite wave to the driver before he took off again, she may be a bit of a bitch to most people but at least she still had manners. The bus stop was just across the road from her destination, 'How very convenient' she mused. Physical exercise was never her forte so she really was quite thankful for the close proximity. She confirmed the address again with Unknown before making her way into the building and past the overwhelming amount of security cameras they had set up.
As she entered the elevator and pressed the button for the 14th floor MC hopped from foot to foot nervously. She was making her way to her quite probably impending death, had she done all that she wanted to achieve in this lifetime? No. No she hadn't. However something told her that performing in a musical in space was just a little unrealistic, perhaps in the next lifetime if there was such a thing. Her dreams of performing were often short lived by the fact that she wasn't a particularly exciting person. She didn't look gorgeous, she looked average at best. She wasn't insanely talented, she was just okay. Honestly, she'd be lucky to be cast as Munchkin #7 in a high school production of Wicked. Along with this she began wondering if anyone would miss her when she was gone. Her parents were out of her life and therefore out of the question, and she never cared much for making friends as most humans were shitty little backstabbers. Maybe the fat cat she fed cheerios to on her balcony would miss her? Then again she was sure he would find other people to feed him stale cereal.
The elevator finally came to a stop on the 14th floor and she cautiously made her way out, peering around and taking note of more CCTV cameras, damn this place must have a history with thieves or something for them to warrant having that much security. At the end of the hallway was a plant that looked more fed than she probably was, which id definitely something she was envious of.
'Honestly fuck getting killed here.' She thought to herself. 'If anything I'm going to kill whoever lives here to take over their life! Surely identity theft wasn't THAT difficult.' She pulled out her phone to message Unknown once more for further instructions.
MC: Okay I'm here. Now what?
Unknown: Are you there? ^^ See. Nothing strange.
Unknown: Is there a password lock on the door?
She studied the door and sure enough there was a pad that required her to enter a passcode. It struck her as odd how this person would know there would be a password lock and just furthered her suspicions that this was all some kind of scheme to kill her, but she really just didn't care. If it was a particularly gruesome murder it might make the news. Maybe this was her one shot of becoming famous? She had always dreamed of red roses being thrown at her while she was on stage, but on her grave was close enough.
MC: Yeah there is. I could try to break in?
Unknown: NO
Unknown: There's a password written in the notes of the phone. Try it.
MC entered the password and sure enough the door made an odd clicking sound and the word "UNLOCKED" popped up in green glowing letters on the keypad screen. It suddenly occurred to her that she hadn't even bothered knocking. What if this wasn't a trick and it was all true, maybe whoever owned the lost phone is home now? They probably wouldn't take kindly to her breaking in.
MC: Door is open. What now? What if someone is home? How do I explain breaking and entering?
Unknown: They're not home.
Unknown: Why don't you go inside?
Unknown: You can leave a note. I'll give you my info.
Unknown: If something happens you can show them my messages. That'll do.
MC: Fine. If I get killed I'm coming back and haunting your ass.
She took a final deep breath and opened the door, fully expecting to be shot on the spot. To her surprise the apartment seemed empty, a layer of dust covering most surfaces as though someone hadn't been here in months. Perhaps her dream of crashing here for a while would be easier than originally planned? In her hand her phone started to violently buzz once more with messages.
Unknown: Th
Unknown: ank
Unknown: you…
Well that sure wasn't ominous at all. Maybe it was just a good samaritan helping out a girl in her time of need by directing her to an empty apartment much nicer that her little illegal one with cockroaches and rats in basically every corner and cupboard. Once more, MC's phone started buzzing to alert her of more messages, this time however they weren't from "Unknown", it seemed like she had been thrown into a chatroom with a bunch of people. They seemed pretty normal, like actual people. They all seemed to have their own little emojis. From what she could gather right off the bat Yoosung was a failing college student, Jumin was someone probably of high status as he was offering Yoosung a job after he left college, Zen didn't like Jumin (and judging by Jumin's responses the feeling appeared to be mutual), and 707.. Had just noticed that she had joined the chatroom.
707: Wait!
Yoosung: Why?
Zen: ?
707: Think someone entered the chat room;;
Jumin: MC…?
Zen: Wtf. How did it get in here?
MC scoffed at this. She wasn't an 'it'. Somehow she managed to suppress the temptation to call him out on it and just continued to watch the chat, plopping herself down on the little sofa in the apartment- after brushing all of the dust off it first.
707: Hacker!
Yoosung: Hacker!? Therae's a hacker in ouer room!
Yoosung: Sevnee do somethign!
Zen: Hey, typos. -_-;;
707: Wait a sec. I'm searching.
Jumin: Who are you? Reveal yourself. Hey, Assistant Kang.
Jaehee: Yes, I am here.
MC raised an eyebrow at the sudden appearance of someone new. Judging by the way she was addressed by Jumin it was safe to assume she worked for him. By the looks of how things were going Jaehee not only seemed to be the only girl other than herself, but the voice of reason amongst the group.
Zen: You were so quiet I thought you went somewhere.
Jaehee: Nothing was out of the ordinary so I was just watching
Jaehee: but I see something has just happened.
Yoosung: omg
Jumin: Why is a stranger in our chatroom?
Jaehee: No one can enter this chatroom without installing the private app we use… It seems someone has downloaded the RFA Messenger.
Yoosung: I thought Seven let only us download it?
Judging by how this was going the app probably wasn't just pre installed with the phone. It seems whoever Unknown was had somehow installed it for her, the real question was how? MC's best guess was that they had snuck into the back room of the bar and picked it up while she was working. But why her?
Zen: Maybe someone downloaded the app on two phones?
707: Maybe?
Jumin: Who downloaded it twice?
Yoosung: Not me!
She figured now was as good a time as any to break the ice and suspicion.
MC: yo
Okay so it wasn't the most thought out message she had ever sent, nor was it probably appropriate for her situation, but being polite and formal wasn't particularly her top priority right now. She was attacked with an array of questions and once again called an 'it'. She kind of zoned out until whoever '707' was piped in again
707: Oh… ^^; Wait.
Zen: What is it. Hurry and tell me.
707: I traced the IP…
707: It's from Rika's apartment.
She was a little concerned at the speed of which he had traced the IP and located her, but then again she did come to 'Rika's apartment' with the purpose of death in mind so it didn't frighten her all that much.
Yoosung: Rika's apartment?
Jumin: Where was it?
Jaehee: The location is not revealed. I know it to be classified.
707: Anyways, someone must have broken into her apt.
707: It talked now, so it must be a person ^^;
Yoosung: So it hacked the program, Seven?
707: Yup
MC certainly didn't hack the program herself, and she was getting more and more frustrated by being referred to as an 'it'. If she ever got her hands on Unknown again they would have a shit load of explaining to do. Why did they lead her here? Why did they add her to this mismatched group of people? Surely there must be some better reason than the one her mind could muster up which was just 'for the lols'.
Yoosung: Who are you?! How did you get into Rika's apartment?!
Yoosung: How did you get this app?!
Yoosung: Gah~ So scared right now…
Yoosung: I thought the apartment has a passworh lobk?
Zen: Typo
Jaehee: I assume it was a break in.
Jaehee: Username "MC", I recommend that you confess.
Zen: Jaehee, would you voluntarily confess to everything if it were you?
Jaehee: No. But it is good to ask first.
MC liked Jaehee. She seemed polite and mature, her original observation of her being the voice of reason appeared to be reigning true. Although Zen did have a point, if she had broken into this apartment and hacked into this app would she really give a reason? Unknown certainly hadn't given her a legitimate one before tossing her into the deep end. Kind of rude when you really think about it.
707: Lolol
Jumin: Quit shitting around.
Jumin: MC… Who are you?
Jumin: Reveal yourself, stranger.
Jumin: If you do not reveal yourself, you will pay.
Her mind wandered through all the possibilities of how she could be made to pay, from literally paying with money, to some kinky 50 Shades of Grey shit. She shook her head, clearing the images of being tied up and gagged from her mind as it probably wasn't the most appropriate reaction to the situation she was in.
Zen: Stranger you will pay? Lmfao
Zen: omg~*so scary*~
Zen: It might be a girl.
707: That's sexist lol. U should watch what u say now that ur a famous actor.
The group went on to talk about the extent to which Zen was famous. MC had to admit that the name sounded vaguely familiar to her but she wouldn't be able to pick him out from a line up. She was still trying to wrap her head around what kind of a group this was. A college student, a 'celebrity', a businessman and his assistant, and… a hacker perhaps? She wasn't too sure but it would make sense considering this was supposedly a private app, one of them would have had to make it and 707 seemed to be the most likely suspect. Jumin finally chipped in once more and drew the attention back to MC
Jumin: Hey.
Jumin: Don't get distracted.
Yoosung: Oh, right. Username MC…
Jaehee: … An abrupt stranger.
707: My hands r shaking as I hack.
Jumin: Who are you? Reveal yourself right now.
Yoosung: Yeees! Who are u?!
Zen: Use proper english please.
707: If it doesn't say anything I'll hack in and find out.
Zen: …Maybe
Zen: one of my fans?
Jumin didn't seem pleased by this as he sent an angry little emoji. The emojis were by far the most enjoyable part of watching the chat, Yoosung seemed to favour them the most which made sense as he was probably the youngest of the lot. The emojis made things a lot less serious which she was quite thankful for. She came here to get killed, not to be thrown into a debate. MC actually planned out her response this time, it wasn't perfect but it got the point across.
MC: Isn't it polite to introduce yourself before asking the other person who they are?
Jumin: How fierce.
Zen: Are you a woman?
707: Zen. Be more serious, plz?
707: And wait a sec on the woman thing.
707: Looking it up.
Jaehee: Such a search violates privacy laws.
707: Ya. I'm only saying I'm looking it up.
707: No evidence that I'm actually hackginh.
In that moment MC was quite thankful that she had always avoided most social networking sites. 707 probably wouldn't be able to find much about her other than the basic information on her government records and whatnot. Chances are he wouldn't even be able to find a picture of her other than the profile picture she had taken half an hour or so ago.
Yoosung: Seven, that's obviously a lie. lol
Yoosung: And I know that typo's on purpose.
Yoosung: Still…
Yoosung: Won't it tell us about itself if we tell who we are first?
Zen: To be honest…
Zen: I agree with Yoosung.
Jumin: More like you want to show off who you are.
Yoosung: Should we… introduce ourselves?
Jumin: Are you serious…?
Jaehee: I think it is a bit too early for that.
Zen: Hi. I'm Zen. (24 yrs old) Musical actor… Don't look me up on the internet.
Zen: It's embarrassing.
Yoosung: Zen, you're so brave!
Jumin: Guess he wanted to show himself off.
Zen: No way~!
This was followed by an (admittedly quite attractive) photo of who MC presumed was Zen. From what she could tell Jumin was correct in saying that Zen just wanted to show off but hey she wasn't complaining. Jaehee didn't seem to complain either, was there something going on between the two of them? The assistant seemed far too professional for anything like that though, and Zen's shameless flirting seemed to suggest he was more than likely to be single.
Jumin: I see that he has zero interest in his privacy.
707: Lolol
707: My nickname's 707.
707: Real name is a secret.
707: Fyi, Zen's real name is Hyun Ryu.
Zen: Your name's a secret but not mine?;
707: U don't care anyways lol.
Jaehee: 707 does have the strangest name so I understand the secrecy.
707: The name's too holy to be spread around~ I'm gonna pray after I finish hacking.
He was going to pray? It came across as odd to her that a hacker would be religious, surely his job could be considered a sin? Eh who was she to judge? She was kicked out of Catholic school when caught making out with one of her classmates.. and she went to an all girls Catholic school.
Zen: Pray, yeah right;;
707: Just remember me as the 22yr old young hacker lol
707: Where I live is also a secret.
Zen: So many secrets;;
Yoosung: I'm Yoosung Kim! I'm a college student… 21 yrs old.
Jumin: I don't know why everybody's introducing themselves. You don't even know who that person is.
Jumin had a very valid point. These people had no clue who I was yet here they were sharing personal information. Yoosung sent a picture and he looked like a happy go lucky bouncing college boy. The picture of him practically vibrated youth, it was odd as MC was the same age yet she doesn't remember even feeling or looking so full of life. She was convinced she was born with the personality of a bitter 80 year old woman who never got married and never had kids.
707 seemed reluctant to reveal much more information about himself but would freely spill on everyone else. Jumin seemed less concerned at his age and the fact that he was heir to a supposedly famous company was told to a stranger and more concerned that a picture of his cat, which MC bit back a squeal over, was sent.
Jumin: Can't believe he showed a photo of Elizabeth the 3rd to a stranger…
Jumin: Idiot…
Jumin: I know you came to my house the other day and harassed her. It's all on CCTV.
This was then followed by a fuzzy black and white image of who MC guessed was probably 707 holding Elizabeth the 3rd up by her ears. Probably not the best way to hold a cat but maybe Elizabeth the 3rd enjoyed it?
707: My precious privacy!
The group continued briefly to talk about Elizabeth the 3rd and MC was more than happy to just sit back and watch, anything to keep their attention off of her really. This was far too much social interaction and attention than she was used to in a week, let alone an hour or so.
Zen: Stop talking about cats. Giving me goosebumps.
Jaehee: I suggest that we take care of this stranger first.
Jaehee: Could it be that we have a security breach?
Zen: True. MC, how did you get in here?
Yoosung: Is it really in Rika's apartment?
707: Yup. It's for sure…
707: How did it get the apartment password?!
Zen: Where the hell is the apartment?
MC sighed while watching the chat. She figured it was about time to explain to them why and how she was there, well at least what she knew about her current situation.
MC: Someone called 'Unknown' sent me here. You guys happen to know him?
Jumin: Unknown?
Zen: Maybe he just didn't set a username?
707: It's mandatory to set a username so he must have set it that way.
707: Maybe…
707: A hacker…?!
Yoosung: !
707: A hacker! No way.
707: I have everything covered!
707: Hey, MC. So he told you the password for the door lock?
MC: Ya, sounds like I know about as much as you guys.
Jumin: …Ya?
Zen: Cute lol
Yoosung: But..
Yoosung: How did you end up chatting with that person?
Jaehee: I see.
Jaehee: Where did you download this messenger app?
Jaehee: MC, you are quite strange as well.
Zen: Do you think this person's a creep? No way.
MC: See that's the thing, I don't remember downloading it. I rarely use my phone as it is so I think I would remember if I had. At first I figured it was a preinstalled app that I just hadn't noticed before, but you guys said it's private, right? So whoever this 'Unknown' person is either took my phone without me knowing and downloaded it, or installed it some other way. Make of that what you will.
Jumin: How strange.
707: Anyways.
707: I should trace this Unknown person to make sure they haven't distributed it to others.
Jumin: If what she is saying is true.
Jaehee: I think it would be a good idea to contact V.
707: Yeah. I think that's a good idea.
707: I'll call and explain everything.
Jumin: I can call.
707: Already on it lol
Zen: Fast.
Yoosung: Seven seems talk to V pretty often.
MC: V?
Zen: V is… like our boss.
707: The evil mastermind.
Jumin: …or not. He's the person who has control over this chat room and the organization we're in.
MC zoned out after that, she briefly noted that they were discussing telling her what the chat room was for and 707 seemed to be calling whoever V is.
707: Lookedintoownerofdevice.
707: she'scutelol
Yoosung: You did a background check on her!? So MC is definitely a girl?
Cute? MC had been called a lot of things but cute definitely wasn't one of them. The best compliment she had probably gotten was when someone said she looked "interesting".
MC: Cute? You sure you've got the right person? How did you even find a picture of me?
MC: Also I'm glad it's been clarified that I am in fact a girl, I was getting pretty pissed off with being called an 'it'.
Zen: He's a hacker. He probably found your fb page.
707: notthereyet
707: iwillifineedtotholol
MC: Have fun finding something that doesn't exist.
707: loldoyouevenhavesocialmedia
Zen: How do you live without social media?
MC: I don't socialise much.
Jumin: So it really is a girl?
MC: Wow again with the it
707: Ya.
A messaged popped up to say that V has entered the chatroom. Hopefully he would have some sort of answer to all of this, MC was getting pretty bored of just hanging around the apartment watching them all argue. She'd already rifled through the cupboards and draws (well the ones that weren't locked) and found nothing of interest. Just some plates, bowls, cutlery, etc.
Zen had told 707 to send a picture of her to the chat, which he denied but then followed up with a picture of a pretty but serious looking woman with short hair who was then confirmed to be Jaehee. From what MC could gather, V being in the chat was quite a rare occurrence.
V: Well, I heard about a situation.
V: MC is currently in Rika's apartment with info from a stranger and logged into this chatroom.
707: I told him everything through the phone.
Jumin: Who disclosed the password for Rika's apartment?
V: Well. No one knew the password. I don't even know.
MC: Well clearly someone knew or we wouldn't be in this situation.
707: That's true.
Yoosung: …Thought V knew.
Yoosung: She never invited me to her apartment.
Jumin: It's the same for everyone else.
Jumin: No one's been there before.
Yoosung: Tell us the address. I'll go there… I want to check who MC is myself.
MC prayed that his request would be denied. All this interaction over chat was too much for her antisocial little brain to handle and she was in no state to meet any of these people face to face.
Yoosung: Seven, you know right? You traced the IP just now.
707: Uhm. Sorry but…
707: I can't tell you that.
Yoosung: ?
Yoosung: I'm her surviving family.
Zen: Maybe because you're just her cousin?
707: Not even her immediate family can go.
707: And the apartment doesn't belong to Rika.
Yoosung: Then who?
V: Me.
Yoosung: You don't even know the password!
V: I just respected her privacy.
Yoosung: …Were you really in a relationship with her?
Jumin: I can't believe you never knew the password.
V: I've never even been there. I just know where it is.
V: Anyways, the apartment is in my name.
V: Rika usually worked there. There are a lot of documents in there that must not be damaged.
V: I can't reveal the address because all the classified information about this organization is stored there, plus other sensitive materials.
So far MC had gathered that Yoosung was Rika's cousin, Rika being the 'owner' of the apartment she was now it, and V was in a relationship with her? They spoke of Rika in past tense hinting that something may have happened to her, that would explain the layer of dust everywhere. The sensitive materials also explained the locked drawers and the wall of metal lockers that reminded her of high school.
V: Only Luciel and I know the address.
V: I repeat, since the information must be protected, please do not attempt to find the apartment.
V: Do not ask MC about it and MC, please do not reveal the address.
MC: Didn't plan on it. Who's Luciel?
Zen: That's 707's real name. 'Luciel Choi'
Jaehee: lol
Yoosung: omg Jaehee just said lol
Jumin: I think it's his baptismal name?
707: I'm going to go pray for a moment.
MC: Understood. What sort of classified information are we talking about here though? And what's to stop me from prying open the drawers? I'm not saying I will, but it wouldn't be all that difficult.
V: MC… Is that what I call you?
V: Please do not touch anything there.
V: For example, if you try to force open one of the drawers…
V: The alarm will ring.
Wow an alarm? How terrifying. MC rolled her eyes but responded none the less.
MC: Got it, and MC is my name so it kinda makes sense for people to call me it.
Yoosung: What do we do about her apartment?
Yoosung: Can MC stay there?
That was a good question actually, one she had all but forgotten to ask. Chances are she would have stayed there anyway, but it would be nice to have some confirmation at least.
V: First…
V: No one here is going to go to Rika's apartment, right?
V: Since the information involves everyone around us, there might be trouble if we are not careful.
Jumin: Yeah yeah. You can stop explaining. Classified information. Got it.
Jumin: But it is a mystery how a complete stranger could end up there.
Jeez what crawled up Jumin's ass and died?
V: If it's someone who knows the password…
V: It might be someone that Rika trusted.
Jumin: Someone Rika trusted?
V: I am only guessing…
707: So then that 'Unknown' person…
707: knew Rika!?
707: I can't believe she trusted someone more than V.
Yoosung: I don't believe that. She couldn't have trusted anyone more than us…
Zen: That is… a bit surprising.
V: It's hard to believe myself… But we shouldn't assume that we knew everything about Rika.
V: She…
V: had a deep world of her own.
See that right there screamed 'psycho' to MC but who was she to judge? There was no doubt that people would describe her in a similar way.
V: If I am right.
V: MC being at her apartment right now…
V: Rika must have wanted that.
Jumin: Rika called in a complete stranger from up in the sky?
V: I'm not saying she wanted Sen to be there… but maybe…
V: Rika wanted someone to do the work she did before.
V: At the place she worked before.
Jumin: What…?
Zen: No way…
Jaehee: The work Rika did before…
707: Hosting parties?
Zen: You mean Rika's party.
Yoosung: Do you really think… that Rika planned this?
Yoosung: If she made that decision when she was alive…
V: That's my guess… but yes.
V: Since she didn't leave a will.
V: According to the information Luciel provided, MC doesn't seem dangerous.
Hosting parties? Really? Is that what all this shit is about? MC snorted at the thought of all these people acting like frat boys and doing keg stands. She was pretty certain it wouldn't be that sort of party, but it was quite an entertaining thought.
707: Only a minor criminal record for breaking into a high school a few years ago.
Yoosung: Criminal record?!
MC: In my defence breaking in and filling the pool up with jello was one of my greatest achievements, even if it did get me expelled.
707: I didn't think it was possible to get expelled from 6 different schools in such a short space of time.
MC: Yet here I am.
MC: Speaking of being here, I came to this apartment to find the owner of a phone.. What exactly is going on?
707: Owner of the phone?
707: isn't that dangerous lol
707: you could have been signing up for your death
Jumin: Very naive.
MC typed out "a girl can dream" but decided against sending it. She wasn't sure how Rika had died and she didn't want to hit a sensitive subject and end up getting kicked out of the apartment. It would be nice to sleep in a room with heating for once.
Jaehee: Wait…
Jaehee: I understand… that everyone values V's opinion.
Jaehee: But…
Jaehee: This chatroom is strictly prohibited to strangers.
Jaehee: If I may say so, I think that we must verify what MC has said.
Jaehee: For all we know, MC could have simply made up that 'Unknown' person.
MC: In all honesty I agree with Jaehee. I show up at this apartment and in this chatroom with no solid proof of how and why I'm here and you guys are just like "oh she's probably supposed to be here so it's okay"
V: Thank you for your opinion, Jaehee.
V: And thank you for being honest MC.
V: But right now, I would appreciate it if you could trust me.
V: If MC is not to be trusted, we can deal with it then.
Jumin: Hmm.
MC: If that's all settled can someone please explain what I'm supposed to do now? I mean I'm more than happy to just chill out at this apartment but I think I need to know why I'm here.
Zen: Rika is…
Zen: V's old girlfriend, and the person who created this chatroom.
Yoosung: Rika hosted parties regularly for a good cause.
Yoosung: She organized a group called RFA to plan the party and manage participants.
MC: good cause? Like charity work?
707: She hosted a fundraiser to help those in need
707: and introduced the guests to one another to arrange business deals.
"Business deals" sounded sketchy to MC but she went along with it. It SEEMED innocent enough. But why all the secrecy around it if it's just about hosting parties for charity?
707: Rika
707: founded the organization called RFA four years ago and hosted two parties until so far.
707: The six of us who knew her personally joined the organization and helped her host the parties.
Yoosung sent a photo of who she assumed was Rika. She looked gorgeous and well put together. MC briefly looked down at own appearance. Tight, black, unintentionally ripped jeans, a baggy, dark grey button up with the top buttons undone, and some scuffed up plain black ankle boots. It didn't exactly scream "formal" but at the same time it was definitely the most formal outfit she actually owned being her (old) work uniform. All of her clothes came from thrift shops, and not even nice thrift shops where they wash the clothes before selling them. She was almost certain that people had literally died in most of her outfits, sometimes she'd even find blood stains on them. Was she really cut out to replace Rika?
Jumin: We don't even know who she is though.
Zen: Just the fact that she's in this chatroom makes me trust her a bit though;;
Jumin: Not because MC's a girl?
V: Everyone… I know that this is confusing. But…
V: Maybe MC was chosen by Rika.
V: 707 will look into that person called 'Unknown'.
V: So for now, please just believe in me and wait.
707: I guess ur busy right now. Ur replies are really late.
V: Yeah, I think… I have to leave right now.
V: MC, it is best not to touch anything in the apartment.
V: It won't be good if the alarm rings.
V: Everything that you have to do… will be linked with this app installed on your phone.
"Best not to touch anything in the apartment" Well it was a little too late for that, but thankfully no alarm had rung out yet so at least she knew what was safe to touch so far. It was beyond MC how or why she would have been chosen to replace Rika, she didn't have the best track record for helping people. Her hobbies included petting cats and petty theft.
MC: But what exactly do I have to do and how will this app help me?
707: This app program is not just a simple messenger.
707: All the party related emails in Rika's computer
707: will be transferred to this app.
707: U'll be able to automatically receive the guests' information as well.
707: And send personal messages to other members…
V: Then there's no need for MC to touch Rika's old things.
Jaehee: All MC has to do is use this app.
707: I put in all those features so that Rika could work more comfortably.
707: Glad there's a use for them lol
MC: I can touch the furniture though right?
MC: I mean I really hope so, I've been chilling on this sofa for the past half hour.
707: Furniture is fine lol
After this V left, MC could tell that he probably wouldn't be around all that much. He had asked Jumin to "take care" of things for him. The following messages were a lot to take in. Jaehee kindly explained what the 'RFA' was and why things were so secretive, MC supposed it made sense. Finally she was officially asked if she would join them.
MC: I mean.. I guess there's no harm in trying?
Yoosung: MC must be a positive person, seeing that she made her decision so fast.
Jaehee: She may not be a careful person.
Jumin: Assistant Kang, is there something you do not like about her?
Yoosung: Hey~ Jaehee, don't be like that.
Jaehee: It is not that.
MC: Jaehee has every right to be concerned. All you know about me is that I have a minor criminal record, I was expelled 6 times, and my name is MC.
Zen: And you're a girl.
Yoosung: …I'm glad we have a girl now! It was a hopeless sausage fest until now lol.
Yoosung: MC! If you have any questions, I can answer them.
Yoosung: Ask anything you need.
Yoosung: No need to worry about anything ^^
MC: I'm getting the impression that the pair of you have never interacted with a woman other than Jaehee in your life.
707: She has a point lol
Zen: Haha…
Jumin: Has it been 3 years since Zen's last fling?
Zen: It's been longer. Damn…
Zen: But I've never seen you with a woman? Ever?
Yoosung: Stop it… Guys…
Yoosung: I've never… been with anyone…
707: Good. I've registered her as a member! Oh. We don't really need ur signature.
Yoosung: You're going to collect all the info so she can't run away, right?
707: ^^… Since it's a verbal contract.
Zen: …Don't collect anything without MC's permission.
707: Ya.
707: I'm gonna leave for a sec. Need to check sth.
Zen: Background check on MC?
707: Nah~ It's work. I have to make a living somehow.
Yoosung: Stop it. You get paid enough.
707: How do u know how much I get paid?
Yoosung: I saw your new car on fb…
Yoosung then sent a picture of a very expensive looking white car which was probably worth more than MC's life ever will be.
MC: If I had one I would sell my soul for that car.
707: Soulless and likes cars?
707: You sound like me lol
Slowly one by one they all left the chat, leaving MC alone to think over what just happened to her. One second she was punching her shitty boss in the face and storming back to her equally shitty apartment, the next she was in a heavily protected apartment and a part of a fundraising organisation. There were worse ways to spend a Sunday night.