Chapter 190

Chapter 190. Traitor (4)

I had glanced at the timer, which had started reducing by one second, and then I pulled out a new potion.

When I sprayed it on the wound, as expected, the timer stopped decreasing and instead began to increase.

“If I use a high-level potion, it seems to grant roughly an additional 4-5 minutes.”

Just in case, I tried a low-level potion and noticed that the timer’s increase diminished to about one minute.

Having identified the cause, I immediately attempted Purification.

Currently, the level of the growth-type Purification Trait, which is exclusive to Alpha Rank, was 3.

“There was only an additional message stating that the scope of Purification would expand when the level increased.”

Comparing it to Level 2 when the target of purification expanded to others, there was certainly a change in the explanation of the effect.

However, even though it had been a while since the level increased, I still hadn’t figured out what “range” meant.

「A pathogen is detected.」

「Purifying the pathogen.」

「Purification rate 0.10%」

「Purification rate 0.12%」

「Purification rate 0.18%」

…..

It was only today that this question was resolved.

I suddenly felt my mouth go dry.

If the Purification Trait had still lingered at Level 2, it would’ve been impossible to purify the pathogen.

“When it increased to Level 2, the additional effect was clear.”

Thus, purifying those pathogens must be a Level 3 effect.

Once I came to this realization, it became hard to tear my gaze away from the word I saw.

“Forcible termination…”

I could stake my entire fortune that it was a sentence of death.

“If I hadn’t increased the Purification level to 3.”

I would have had to live constantly watching the timer, extending my life with potions day after day.

“Phew.”

My diligent past managed to overcome this chilling crisis, but it was too soon to relax.

“The Purification speed isn’t as fast as I expected.”

It seemed because the target for purification was still multiplying.

The purification process itself was not smooth either.

Initially, it felt like something was gently rubbing inside my skin.

As the numbers increased, it severely worsened, and once the purification rate exceeded 20%, it became distinctly painful.

When the rate exceeded 40%, it became hard to suppress my groans.

“Urgh…”

It felt like someone was combing through every inch of my soul.

There was no choice but to endure the pain.

I curled up on the floor, grit my teeth, and continued purifying.

Once the number exceeded 50%, all my efforts were focused solely on Purification.

The purification, which started as merely painful and unbearable, ended after a grueling 16 minutes.

As soon as the warning disappeared, I jerked my head up.

I wanted to see what I had missed due to the sudden injuries, infection, and purification.

Beyond the collapsed wall, where my spear had fallen, lay the half-severed body of Zhang Tianyu.

“Sigh…”

Only after taking that scene in could I finally let out a sigh of relief.

“Thank goodness.”

A hand had suddenly appeared from nowhere in mid-air earlier and shot out a skewer before switching direction toward Zhang Tianyu.

The motion was like…

“It seemed like it was trying to grab hold.”

Now that it hadn’t happened, and I was purely speculating, it was uncertain.

It seemed less about harming and more about taking along.

Was it kidnapping? Or a rescue? Depending on which was true, many things would change.

“Beyond the cracked gap, it was definitely a monster.”

I had seen those typical grotesque red eyes of monsters.

And the black skewer that had been embedded in my stomach until just a moment ago.

After pulling it out of my stomach, it barely held its form before liquefying.

“Kerak….”

It was very similar to the thing lodged in Ahel’s body when I first met him.

Piecing together the various pieces of information I had, a rather unpleasant hypothesis emerged.

If the purpose of that black hand wasn’t kidnapping but rescue,

“A traitor has emerged among the players.”

Once I reached that conclusion, a furious rage surged from deep within my heart, threatening to burn me wholly.

* * *

As soon as the double barrier set by K was broken, Lily, who had used a new barrier stone, watched K with bated breath.

“Kerak….”

A low, subdued voice resonated shortly after, and Lily shivered unknowingly.

She glanced up to find K, with a menacingly fierce expression, fixated beyond the collapsed wall.

Lily forced herself to look down, glancing momentarily at K’s still unhealed piercing wound.

Seeing his injuries, the voice of Martin Eastner, the CIA director, echoed incessantly in her mind.

– If he sustains a significant injury during this battle…

Terminate him.

“Of course, only attempt it if there’s absolutely no chance of failure.”

Martin grew increasingly wary of K as time went on.

Despite several exchanges, K showed no inclinations of favor towards the United States.

“He will never be on America’s side.”

K insisted on neutrality, a formidable neutrality that couldn’t be easily challenged.

He even maintained a deliberate distance from his own nation’s government, south Korea.

“He’s open to collaborative relationships out of necessity but intends not to become an ally who shares life and death.”

Interpreting that meant that if K no longer needed someone, or if things went contrary to his desires, he could become an adversary.

Of course, it’s impossible for a single individual to bring down a nation.

Yet, sitting idly by, relying on conventional wisdom, wasn’t an option.

Within the game, K’s influence was unparalleled.

“No player engaging in this game doesn’t know K.”

Many probably survived perilous moments or benefited greatly due to K.

It means quite a few players unconsciously harbor goodwill towards K.

“Currently, his estimated reputation is around 500,000.”

This was an estimate based on consistently posted community articles and the list of missions he had cleared.

Lily, who holds the Player Association presidency, has a reputation of 80,000, while Ethan, the European branch head, holds about 90,000.

Given that all three were Beta Testers, it was indeed a staggering disparity.

There wasn’t a single player among those engaging in the game who could be a match for K.

“A truly unique existence.”

It wasn’t surprising that Martin began feeling threatened by K’s influence.

Just moments ago, the perfect opportunity arose to eliminate K.

However, Lily Evans couldn’t bring herself to raise a blade against him.

Instead, all she did was glance occasionally at the watch on her wrist.

“Already 21 minutes…”

It had been well over 20 minutes since K pulled out the skewer embedded in his abdomen.

He had used six potions, with about half of them used initially to stop the bleeding, so they wouldn’t have significantly impacted the timer.

So, it should be reaching its threshold, yet K remained unfazed.

Confirming that fact, Lily clenched her hands tightly and glanced once more at K’s profile.

“Indeed… can an Alpha purify the pathogens?”

Eventually, her gaze fell on the black liquid strewn across the floor.

The weapon used by monsters called Kerak.

Lily only learned about it five days ago.

To scout the next main scenario’s stage, the Order organized a reconnaissance team, and the association also sent players along.

While the investigation team operated on demi-human territories, the reconnaissance team headed for the Corrupted Area to commence their research.

Encountering a general-rank creature with 8 stars was unplanned.

But a report came in stating it was hunted with ease through collaboration with the Order’s knights.

However, an unexpected issue arose when the player who participated in the reconnaissance returned alive.

“Players injured by Kerak used by the general-rank creature with 8 stars were infected.”

The Biharin, regardless of the size of the wound, could be treated effectively with potions.

Even minor scratches or severe piercings, approximately four or five low-level potions sufficed to halt bleeding and allow for natural recovery.

But it was completely different for players.

With potions, the timer merely extended momentarily; self-healing was impossible.

“Someone with just a minor scratch reported seeing a warning message.”

Once injured by a black weapon, players received a notification of infection and a forced termination timer.

“Even after using dozens or hundreds of potions on them.”

It was a futile effort. The timer wouldn’t extend beyond an hour.

As soon as that time was up, they would fall limp, like a puppet losing its strings, and die.

Those who participated in the reconnaissance were notably agitated while reporting the situation.

– After one person died ‘experimenting’, everything went chaotic. Everyone was terrified…

Seeing a player die as the timer ran out scared the others into panic.

‘Problems without solutions inevitably lead to panic.’

Due to that, Lily imposed a gag order regarding the influence the general-rank creature with 8 stars and the black weapon, Kerak, had on players.

The infected individuals are still extending their lives daily using potions.

‘We don’t even know how long they can sustain that, so everyone’s noticeably anxious.’

Despite seemingly finding a solution to that issue today,

‘Is this really fortunate?’

Lily pursed her lips, caught in a whirlwind of emotions.

At that moment, K, who applied a potion to his wound, stood up.

Then he leisurely walked over to where the black blood pooled.

‘Pathogen…’

After a faint murmur, he turned to Lily and spoke.

“Seems you’ve sorted your stance, seeing as you didn’t kill me. The reason is likely because of this. Do you know what it is?”

“Yes, the Biharin refer to it as Kerak. Perhaps it could be called a biochemical weapon used by the general-rank creature with 8 stars.”

Lily’s words drew a chuckle from K.

“A biochemical weapon? Well, given it solidifies blood, it’s not incorrect. You know it’s only usable from the 8-star level?”

The line between a 7-star and an 8-star general-rank creature was precisely the ability to use Kerak.

A nod sufficed for K to look away and speak.

“In that case, there’s no need for further explanation.”

“Yes.”

She responded nonchalantly, yet her mouth felt dry.

Imagining how K could utilize Purification to exclude the United States left her feeling disoriented.

Lily cautiously observed K, as though even breathing had to be done discreetly.

‘Judging by his words, he seems to have some grasp on the CIA’s internal situation.’

The worst-case scenario.

‘Who would’ve told him?’

Someone who could potentially know the inner workings of an organization like the CIA…

‘There’s an overwhelming number.’

With the third awakening now completed, more than two thousand American players whose identities were confirmed by the government exist.

Among them, nearly half are diligently hunting, affiliated with the government.

Most are under the management of a player management department newly established under the CIA.

It’s not easy to single out who among those numerous players might have spoken with K.

‘Though narrowing down those likely to cross paths with K is possible…’

The moment K catches wind of that, the outcome won’t be favorable.

A sigh amassed repeatedly inside Lily’s heart.

“The players subjected to forced termination, what exactly was their infection path?”

K inquired.

The information she had was something K would eventually figure out on his own over time.

Rather than stubbornly concealing it, it was better to disclose and save K’s time.

‘Having caused trouble, I should strive to make amends.’

Once she organized her stance, Lily divulged everything she knew to K.

Upon hearing her narration, K frowned and exhaled deeply.

“Complete infection regardless of the wound size… That balance is utterly chaotic.”

Shortly after, he rubbed his face continuously.

“This is mind-boggling…”

Blood-soaked his hand, staining his face, but it appeared he didn’t care.

Instead, he kept muttering, reciting something under his breath.

“… This can’t be… perhaps…”

Despite straining her ears, they were too inaudible.

Due to the mumbled nature, the pronunciation was incoherent.

Eventually, giving up on eavesdropping, Lily contemplated as she watched K.

‘If the facts about the pathogen and Purification get revealed, K’s influence will expand uncontrollably.’

The precise number of players who reached Alpha Rank hadn’t been confirmed yet.

‘Initially, it was assumed only a portion of the top-ranked players advanced to Alpha.’

Thus, it was estimated that there would be approximately hundreds of Alphas.

However, over time, whispers arose that it might not be the case.

‘Many thought to be Alphas were actually Betas.’

In the first promotion test, the 7th and 10th places; in the second, the 5th, 9th, and 16th places; and in the third, the 3rd and 4th places.

Those top ranks who survived and passed the novice area showcased rapid growth.

Since self-purification was possible, mana accumulated swiftly.

As their achievements became distinct, attention followed, and it was soon confirmed they were Betas.

Lily recalled vividly the day when they verified the rank of the 3rd spot player from the third test round.

“In the third test, 500,000 players participated.”

Given the increased number of participants, it was presumed the top rewards recipients also rose.

Yet, the rank of Coconut, who ranked third in that promotion test, was Beta.

When she learned that a worst-case scenario emerged.

Damned System