[Edge of Gate, Finally Fades into the Annals of History]
[How EoG Became a Ruined Game]
[Edge of Gate. Grand Beginning, Pathetic End.]
-Breaking News: EoG is dead!
-Lol hahahahahahaha
-Wondered when it would die, it held on for a long time lol
-Huh? EoG wasn't dead already??
-How did a single-player game that destroyed public trust in 3 years manage to last 7 more years? That's what I don't understand
-Exactly lmao
-Most curious about the developer's identity
-Released just EoG with no previous or subsequent games, never communicated once, then quietly disappeared
-Feels like I was part of some biological experiment
-But isn't it just a single-player game anyway? People who bought it can still play it
-You're right, but EoG also had constant small updates, an achievement sharing system, and some multiplayer elements
-It's been years since all gamers abandoned it, but they kept updating?
-At this point, the Arab oil prince theory has to be true, right? Who would operate a game like that if it wasn't just a hobby?
-Lol watching how they operated it, they definitely showed no interest in making money
-???: I made gamers angry! I can control gamers' emotions!
-Why would an Arab oil prince come all the way to Korea for that? They'd just raise cheetahs at home
-There's a rumor he's an illegitimate child with a Korean mother
-This place spreads gossip well
-Anyway, it's a shame. I enjoyed it when I was a kid
-Honest opinion: The game was actually well-made
-What does that matter if you can't clear it?
-For real. Nobody's properly cleared it yet, right?
-Nope lol
-Even Buddha would have cursed if he played EoG
-EoG is just too much to bear
-Ananda, why are you using your ultimate there?
-Could it be an experiment created by AI to test humans?
-If that were the case, I'd at least understand
-Are there any losers still playing this garbage game?
-Nope, when I quit, I saw the achievement rankings from 1st to 50th place were all the same person
-That's borderline insanity
'Hmm.'
That was me.
-Clank, clank.
On the predawn subway, filled with drunks who couldn't even sit straight.
On my way home after catching the last train, having burned through Friday with unpaid overtime.
I alone was feeling bitter about the news of Edge of Gate's business withdrawal.
"It was bound to happen."
My quiet murmur disappeared, buried under the noisy wheel sound.
'It's been 10 years already?'
I first started EoG when I was in middle school, at the end of childhood transitioning into puberty.
During that time of particularly rich sensitivity, Edge of Gate's story and gameplay completely captivated me.
'It was shocking back then.'
The unique aspect of EoG's setting compared to games with similar worldviews was that "the demonic energy harbored by demonic beasts can be transmitted to humans."
Based on this single premise, EoG presented a new conflict structure—"hunters who became Ma-in after hunting demonic beasts" versus the Extermination Squad protecting people from them—which garnered much attention even before its release.
'Using the academy as a setting to develop the scenario was also an appropriate choice.'
I cried and laughed, deeply immersed in the stories and desires of NPCs who were ultimately just program code.
'Though I never once succeeded in clearing it.'
Nevertheless, it was truly enjoyable to play as the protagonist in that wonderful world.
Sometimes I neglected it, absorbed in other games or busy with entrance exams or job hunting.
But whenever I had free time, I always turned on my old computer and returned to one of Edge of Gate's numerous save points.
'The first thing I did during my military leave was play EoG.'
That's a somewhat embarrassing memory.
Anyway, during the time a small boy became an adult, busily going through military service and community college to find his place as an employee in a small company, EoG was always by my side like a part of life.
The bloggers who occasionally left gameplay reviews and the resident ghosts on the official homepage gradually disappeared over the long period.
At some point, the achievement rankings became filled with just my ID from top to bottom.
But I alone never quit this game.
-This station is Geumcheon-gu Office, Geumcheon-gu Office Station.
Time to get off.
Tap, tap.
Making hollow footsteps echo through the desolate station without a soul in sight, I thought I should buy a can of beer.
Tsss!
I opened a can of beer, placed it on my messy desk, and turned on the computer.
'I've used this piece of junk for about 8 years too.'
The computer that should have been retired long ago made loud fan noises.
[Thank you to all gamers who have loved us so far.]
I entered the free board of the official homepage, which had only this modest notice, and clicked on "Write."
-No matter what anyone says, EoG was the best game for me.
Borrowing the tipsy sentiment from a few sips of beer I wasn't good at drinking, I awkwardly transcribed my emotions.
Though I'd surely wake up tomorrow, kick my blanket in embarrassment at these cringe-worthy sentences, the bridge of my nose still stung inexplicably.
'Today should be fine.'
To some it's a shit game, to others a ruined game, but to me, it's a game where 10 years of my time is thoroughly melted in.
'I'm really pathetic. I can still continue playing the game anyway, right?'
Even while mocking myself, my fingers didn't stop typing on the keyboard.
How much time had passed?
"Done."
After aimlessly finishing the aimlessly started writing, I clicked the upload button and took a sip of beer.
The bitter taste of the lukewarm beer stimulated my taste buds, having been left unattended for too long.
'The most recent post was 6 months ago?'
Even that was a mocking post asking if this game wasn't dead yet, with only 2 views.
One of them was from me.
'I thought everyone would rush in to terrorize, but did they block new registrations?'
I tilted my head briefly, then gave up.
In any case, my heart was too unsettled to spend energy on good things.
Instead, I clicked on my post again and read down the emotional soliloquies floating on the white screen.
"Huh?"
After scrolling all the way down, the view count had increased to 2.
Who else read it besides me?
'They must have nothing better to do at this hour.'
That's when it happened.
-GM: Kim Seong-yun-nim. Thank you.
I blinked my eyes slowly at the message that suddenly appeared.
"GM?"
Isn't the GM of EoG famous for never once communicating with users?
'And how does he know my name?'
As if anticipating such a question, the next message arrived immediately.
-GM: No need to be too surprised. I can access member information with my authority.
'Well, I guess so.'
But the identity of the person who sent the message was so unexpected that I hurriedly typed on the keyboard, lest I miss the chance.
-Me: Are you the developer?
-GM: It's complicated to explain... but you can think of me that way.
"If you're the developer, just say so. What's complicated about it?"
-GM: I regret having to inform you of the sales termination like this. Thank you for loving our inadequate game.
-Me: Not at all. At least for me, it was the best game that accompanied nearly half of my life.
-GM: I know that well. I've been watching Kim Seong-yun-nim's gameplay for a long time.
-Me: You've been watching me?
-GM: Yes. After all, achievement ranks 1 through 50 are all Kim Seong-yun-nim's name.
'Well, that's.'
Others stopped playing, but I kept stagnating, so that's how it is.
-GM: Novel strategies, rational judgment, brilliant boldness, and perseverance beyond measure. I declare that Kim Seong-yun-nim was the best among all Edge of Gate gamers.
-Me: I appreciate you saying that.
-GM: You must be frustrated that you couldn't clear it till the end though.
"What the hell, are you mocking me or what?"
Who's fault is that anyway?
Isn't it because you made the game difficulty that way?
And then never once communicated properly....
'Wait a minute?'
Come to think of it, it's quite strange that such a person is now sending messages to an ordinary gamer.
'Am I seeing things after drinking half a can of beer?'
I continued typing as if somewhat entranced.
-Me: It's very disappointing. But I still plan to continue playing. It's just a sales termination, not a service termination, right?
Sudden silence.
The answer came after about 10 minutes.
-GM: So Kim Seong-yun-nim still hasn't given up on clearing it.
-Me: I want to see the happy ending someday, no matter when.
-GM: I thought you'd say that.
-GM: Now I can tell you...
-GM: The reason Edge of Gate could be serviced for 10 years was because of Kim Seong-yun-nim's will.
"...What are you talking about?"
Is this some new scam?
-GM: Kim Seong-yun-nim. We have concluded our experiment on Planet 10491-3 as a final failure.
-GM: But believing in your endless competitive spirit and enthusiasm, we would like to make one proposal.
"Sudden change of atmosphere here."
At this point, it's chilling to the spine.
The so-called GM has been saying incomprehensible things all along.
-GM: If you succeed in clearing the game with your next play, we are willing to provide a massive reward accordingly.
'What kind of concept is this?'
I didn't know where to begin pointing out the issues.
The most plausible assumption would be....
'Still, is this some kind of event to thank me for playing until the end?'
With the thought of playing along just once, I answered playfully.
-Me: Sure. I'll definitely succeed this time.
-GM: I thought you'd say that.
And then.
-GM: Kim Seong-yun-nim. I wish for your victory.
That was the last of it.
"Huh?"
-CRACK!
That day, a spark as intense as broad daylight flashed in the small one-room building.
And the figure of 26-year-old small company employee Kim Seong-yun could no longer be found anywhere.
When I opened my eyes, I had become the protagonist of Edge of Gate.