Damned System

Chapter 61. Server Connection (5)

The game, so poorly made that insults naturally spewed forth, made one toil in frustration. And now what?

“Complaints like a habit?”

Was this an indirect way of criticizing me for complaining too much?

Just as I was about to retort, the moment passed.

《System Message》

〈Since you are requesting again, we will ensure it is reflected in the next update.〉

The system was one step ahead. Although my cheek twitched once, I swallowed my curses and closed my eyes tightly.

‘It didn’t say they wouldn’t do it.’

Since it going to address it, there was no need to expend energy by prolonging the conversation.

‘Let’s just finish quickly.’

From the moment I started the Level 3 mission until now, it had taken much longer than I anticipated.

Dragging this out any longer would only waste more time; finishing even a bit sooner seemed the better option.

Reducing the time spent tangled with the system seemed beneficial to my mental well-being.

Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, after discussing a few more matters, the system initiated the conclusion.

《System Message》

〈The divinity left by the gods of Bihar will soon be depleted. It seems it will be difficult to meet again for a while after this.〉

《System Message》

〈However, we will watch Player Kang Hyunwoo closely and provide wholehearted support. Please maintain your success until we meet again.〉

Almost simultaneously, two windows overlapped and flickered as if the graphics broke apart. Immediately after, the windows marked as system messages vanished.

Like when a light bulb goes out, in a moment, it blinked off.

“It seemed quite urgent.”

Perhaps they hurriedly withdrew to attend to something pressing.

A message updated just as I was furrowing my brow.

「Congratulations! You have successfully completed the HIDDEN MISSION – Main Scenario.」

「As a success reward, 100 attribute mana is provided.」
「As a success reward, 3 Random Boxes are provided.」
「As a success reward, your reputation increases by 50.」
「As a success reward, the Main Scenario is now open.」
「As a success reward, your achievements increase by 10.」
「Conversation with the system ends.」
「The trait Capitalism is deactivated.」

“Tsk.”

It seemed that the hidden mission’s rewards were not subject to the double bonus applied based on reputation rank.

In the New World Mission, since the rewards came as they were, I had hoped.

“Stingy jerk.”

For something titled a first-place bonus, it discriminated based on the type of mission.

Clicking my tongue inwardly, I opened the status window. I intended to check this newly appeared term, ‘achievements’.

However, no matter how much I searched the status window, the term ‘achievements’ was nowhere to be found.

“What?”

Just as clicking my tongue, an unfamiliar window filled my vision.

≪Important Notice≫

The server connection process will begin soon. All players must exit the mission area and stand by.

Timer: 00:59:59

A heavy yet light sigh escaped as the one-hour timer appeared before my eyes.

Thinking that the conversation with the system was finally over, I felt relieved.

Yet, in another aspect, I felt frustrated.

I hadn’t asked the question that lingered on the tip of my tongue throughout our dialogue.

“I should’ve just asked.”

Why did it create a game using divinity?

Mentioning divinity during our conversation suggested it was rather significant.

“Looking at how it claimed to imagine a debt equal to the divinity received from the gods of Bihar.”

But why did the system use it to make this game?

In the end, I swallowed a question that had lingered in my mouth since before the conversation with the system began.

I wanted to ask but didn’t.

It’s partly because I didn’t want to hear the answer, but also because not asking provided enough clues to infer the answer.

“The system has shown concern over players’ survival rates so far.”

Though it pushed us into the game, it modified various aspects to ensure high survival rates for players actively participating.

Even when enduring the trickery of the 7 gods, it seemed to have persevered.

Using Bihar as a hunting ground appeared to be the safest way to cultivate forces.

Raising numerous players this way could potentially save more civilians should the monsters come to Earth.

Recognizing its true intent made me want to ignore it more.

I didn’t want to acknowledge that the system wished to save even more players, more people.

Acknowledging that meant I’d likely have to let go of the rage I harbored within and forgive it.

‘I don’t want that.’
Even if the system provided humanity with an opportunity.

Even if, thanks to that opportunity, I gained the power to protect my siblings.

I didn’t wish to forgive.

From the outcome, one could say I profited through the system, but so what if I disliked it?

I didn’t care if I was labeled petty for it.

‘I’m just that kind of person.’

I wasn’t mature enough to release the grievances I’d experienced simply because the cause was justified.

So I’ll just become a petty, grumpy person. If that brings me peace of mind, I want to live that way.

‘I currently have no way to exact revenge on those boasting divinity.’

The divinity I directly experienced was overwhelmingly formidable.

For the time being, I decided to bury my emotions and focus on growing stronger.

‘When the day comes that I can dare challenge that so-called divinity.’

The situation would be different from today.

Of course, it might be something far into the future, possibly impossible, but.

I had no intention of giving up any potential from the start.

Withdrawing my gaze from where the system had hovered, I quietly turned around.

Having stayed in the prayer room for quite a while, once I stepped out, I tilted my head.

Seeing Rashar pacing nervously outside was the reason for my reaction.

‘Weren’t you supposed to have left?’

Where did Greg, who seemed ready to demand answers holding my collar, disappear, and why was Rashar here?

“What, I thought you left.”

For some reason, the moment I spoke to her, Rashar’s body stiffened.

“W-well, I sensed a presence….”

“A presence?”

“… A divine presence.”

Swallowing hard, Rashar was staring at me as if trying to see through me.

“Why are you staring at me like that? Do I have something on my face?”

“N-no, it’s just your eyes….”

“My eyes?”

I simultaneously asked and drew a dagger from my waist.

Reflecting my eyes in the well-sharpened blade, just as I expected.

“Ah, it changed again.”

Was it the exposure to what it called divinity? My eyes were golden once more.

Clicking my tongue, I sheathed the dagger and gave a simple explanation.

“I didn’t use any power, but I did meet those you call gods.”

Rashar nodded with a curious expression.

Then, swallowing again, she appeared quite anxious.

She seemed hesitant, curiosity and a flood of other thoughts swirling through her mind preventing her from asking.

Meanwhile, I glanced around the hall, noting Greg’s absence.

Given his reaction to mentions of additional support forces, it was unlikely he simply left.

Out of curiosity, I activated Mana Detection, confirming my suspicions.

A mass of mana was present behind the fourth door.

Smaller than Rashar’s, yet sizable compared to mine.

“The fourth one?”

According to the order Greg mentioned, this room was for patience, a prayer room for devotees of Temoria.

‘Are they sharing secrets over there too?’

As with my earlier exchange with the system, they seemed busy whispering among themselves.

‘Of the shameless four, who could be Temoria?’

Reflecting on the behaviors of the gods I met, I couldn’t help but smirk.

The words of Senoa, who claimed they had lost shame, lingered in my head.

‘Gods are not that remarkable.’

I had wondered what could make such beings appear so significant.

While their presence was overwhelming, I wouldn’t call them extraordinary.

Their powers were astonishing but not omnipotent.

Ultimately, the gods of Bihar were merely an entities holding greater power than humans.

After staring at the fourth prayer room for some time, I shifted my gaze to Rashar.

For me, gods who fancifully plotted backstabs were laughable.

Yet, I couldn’t entirely dismiss an aspect.

‘Perhaps they deem becoming vile acceptable when it’s for their devotees….’

Thinking their shameless conduct was to protect someone left me feeling a bit solemn.

After all, if it were to protect those precious to me, I wouldn’t hesitate to exploit another.

Had I not been able to empathize, this wouldn’t have disturbed me so deeply.

With a bitter smile, I focused on Rashar and spoke.

“Seeing Palao’s disadvantages and having received assistance while arriving here… for these reasons, I wish to share something.”

“Huh?”

Due to my jumbled thoughts, I added a little preamble.

But I didn’t intend to drag it farther.

I needed to inform Rashar before Greg emerged.

With Palao vanquished, they wouldn’t immediately hear about transactions with the system.

In that case, the preparations might be lacking compared to other orders.

‘I can’t just stand idly by while the influence of gods unfriendly to us grows.’

When developing the guides, I’d considered this aspect, planning to disclose information strategically.

‘Players musn’t become mere fodder, mere puppets at their hands.’

To that end, Palao’s faction, Senoa, and Karlos’ faction must counterbalance the remaining four orders.

I was clueless about the power dynamics amongst the orders, but numerically at least, they appeared weaker.

To bridge this gap, the idea was to leverage players to augment influence.

Once again, I organized my future plan.

“What do you mean…?”

During this, Rashar asked with a puzzled expression.

“Soon, people like me will arrive.”

“Like you?”

“Forces capable of growth by absorbing mana.”

Rashar’s lips tightened immediately after my statement.

It seemed she was desperately trying to conceal her tumultuous emotions.

“I can see it all clearly.”

She had been unsettled since I mentioned support forces.

Why mask it now when it’s too late?

Observing her stirred an odd sentiment in me. Suddenly, Rashar bowed her head deeply.

“Th-thank you. Truly, thank you, K. It must have been a difficult decision, but we owe you….”

I wondered why she tried hiding her feelings.

“I-I may lack the sense to celebrate in this situation, but we truly require help. We’ll strive to minimize the losses of those who come with you. Thank you, truly, truly.”

She seemed distressed over the potential casualties involved.

“So soft-hearted.”

Yet, these so-called gods hesitate not in manipulating divine life and authority from another dimension.

While a human devoted to these gods expressed sanity over the lives of people she’d never met, discussing decency.

After meeting the gods, the emotions that had been prickling at me seemed to dull a bit.

With a faint sigh, I spoke.

“You don’t need to thank me. Our side is also benefiting from this transaction.”

“Huh?”

“I suppose our system… our god deemed this necessary and made the deal.”

“Such…”

“I’ll promote this as much as I can on my end. So, you should pull yourself together and do it right. More losses of Players and Outsiders could make things difficult later; take note of that.”

“What…?”

At that moment, the fourth door to the prayer room opened.

As Greg emerged, our eyes met squarely, and we exchanged smiles.

Not a flicker of sincerity, just businesslike smiles.

“Did your conversation conclude well?”

Regardless of the background scenery, I appeared as a representative of the allied forces.

Though I snagged the position through default, being the only player present, for now, at least.

Hence, Greg’s approach to me transformed completely.

“Yes, thanks to you. Temoria informed me of the general situation.”

Striding forth, he grinned, grabbing my hand firmly.

“You made many helpful suggestions for the final decision, thank you very much.”

If rumors were true, Temoria seemed to have roasted my reputation; hence there was no need to preserve her honor either.

Smiling wider before Greg’s eyes, I added.

“It wasn’t a commendable task. The honor should go to the six gods. They pleaded so earnestly, I couldn’t turn them away.”

Greg’s responses stuttered, and I seized the moment to throw another jab.

“Although we had disagreements along the way, even that was diplomatically resolved thanks to Senoa’s mediation.”

If not for Senoa, you’d all have been like puppets without strings implies my words.

Did he pick up the undertone? Greg tightened his grip on my hand.

“Truly.”

However, that was all.

“It’s a relief.”

Greg issued a hearty ha-ha, a laugh brimming with detachment, while patting my shoulder with the other hand.

Yet he didn’t release the hand he gripped so I was in a position of being held by him.

“Instead of conversing here, maybe we should head inside. I hope we haven’t been too late to extend our hospitality towards the bearer of good news.”

“Just your sentiment is enough. I should be heading back.”

“Heading back indicates…?”

“I need to relay the news on our side.”

“Ah.”

Finally, Greg released my hand.

Instead of instantly breaking the connection, I opted to add another remark.

“Given my business back home, there’s a request I’d like to make.”

“Please feel free to say whatever you need. I’ll assist wherever I can.”

Greg responded brightly.

“I think it would be helpful to have evidence to show our side.”

The mention of evidence created a slight glow in Greg’s golden eyes.