A bold voice in Korean science fiction—winner of the Grand Prize at the 2021 Korean SF Awards

Join Aerog on an epic journey—and live through 100,000 years in a single night.

Aerog
The call sign for this location is 'Repository.'
My consciousness was just activated. This signifies that ten days have passed since the signal from the surface was lost. I checked the time. It was not significantly different from the apocalyptic date humanity had predicted roughly 50 years ago. They truly possessed an exceptional ability to foresee the future. Also, they knew the way to avoid the apocalypse. Why, then, did they fail to avert it, despite possessing such outstanding intellectual capabilities and knowing a definite solution? I cannot know that now.

ScPA-984D
I don't know who were in charge of the lifeform evolution up until now, but you know this was done completely haphazardly, right? Even if I squint and try to find some kind of system in what they've done, I just can't find it. I mean, it's only because I'm this capable that I can fix things up as I go. If it were those guys from back in the day, they probably wouldn't have even dared to try. To give you an idea of just how hard and grueling this work is—though of course, you won't properly understand even half of what I'm saying—I'll explain it as simply as I can, so listen carefully.

AuTX-3463
Do not disturb me with trivial matters.

Tsal
Aerog, I really want to tell you this one last thing. You were my best friend, my caring parent, and my wise teacher. I will never forget you and will always remember you.

Aestsae
If you were to recreate humans on Earth, we humans would reveal our cruel nature. And history would repeat itself. We will enslave our fellow humans for the absurd reason that they have a different number of fingers. For the sake of religious beliefs, we will wield swords against our brothers without hesitation, and because of differing political ideologies, we will pull the trigger on our own kind. And in the end, for the sake of money and power, we humans will once again drive the fate of all life on Earth to the brink of destruction.

Luoes
If we part when I die, you'll relearn the feelings of separation I deleted long ago. I truly don't want you to relearn those feelings of separation. Unlike humans, your memories don't dull.