The Formation of MAVE:

The Formation of MAVE: Prequel Episode 1

MAVE: Prequel – The Emergence of SUPER AI

Writer: Kei Lee, Jiwoo Park, Jaeho Kang

Translated by Luna

Prequel Episode 1

The year 2039.

In cities where global warming and dust cloud warnings have become commonplace, spring has vanished, refugees fleeing from desertification, food shortages, and war have exceeded 300 million, and the sky is now perpetually filled with thick clouds, making the notion of stargazing at night a thing of the past.

***

On a night in June when the summer heatwave was already setting in:

- Buzz

Yejun's smartwatch vibrated, and a message popped up.

[Yejun, Mom tried again. We're past the danger zone. Can you come?]

The message was from his younger sister, Yeri.

...Is Mom's depression getting worse?

Quickly changing into uniform marked with No. 121, Yejun swiftly typed out a reply.

[Once this test is over, I'll send the hospital fees right away, so for now...]

"Have you finished changing?"

As the dressing room door opened, the instructor appeared.

"Yes, sir!"

"Move!"

"Move!"

Following the instructor's orders, the trainees, dressed in combat uniforms, began to step out of the room one by one in an orderly fashion.

Yejun, who had passed various trials such as individual combat and skirmishes during the two-month test period, had only one final test left, just like the other 127 trainees.

It was the last chance to earn a significant amount of money. In a way, it was an opportunity that might never come again in his life. Yejun didn't want to miss out on his chance.

'...I've sent the message, so everything should be fine for now.'

Yejun took off his smartwatch and tossed it into his personal locker. However, for some reason, he couldn't seem to tear his eyes away from it.

"?"

"Yejun!"

"?"

When Yejun turned to the direction of the voice, he saw Hyunwoo, his friend from elementary school. Standing in line ahead of him, Hyunwoo slightly turned his head to glance at Yejun and quietly mouthed a few words.

"Lam-bor-ghi-ni."

"Ah..."

"Don't forget."

Hyunwoo left the locker room with the other trainees in formation, and Yejun chuckled as he remembered the promise his friend had made him to give him a ride once he earned enough money to buy one.

Yeah, first, I have to pass the test.

A few months ago, Yejun and Hyunwoo came across a recruitment notice from the private security company "AG-PSC" while playing a coin mining game. The advertisement offered an annual salary of 100K dollars, along with performance bonuses and separate hazard pay, free accommodations, and 20% salary during the three-month training period. In an era of mass unemployment due to the replacement of human labor with AI, any unemployed person in their late twenties would not have been able to pass up such an opportunity. They both submitted their applications side by side and miraculously passed the selection process despite the staggering competition rate of 210 to 1. The two of them hugged tightly and jumped up and down in joy when they found out. They even took a commemorative photo in front of the building complex "Small Earth," where the company headquarters were located. Little did they know that this photo, now set as the background on Yejun's smartwatch, would be their last one taken together.