Chapter 191

Chapter 191. The Traitor (5)

Is it possible that the Alpha rank is a special privilege only given to the top players in the promotion test?

If that hypothesis was true, it would mean there were only four Alpha rank players in the current game.

‘And one of them died.’

The third selection player, Nineta from Italy, met her end while conducting a level 2 mission in the beginner section, which was isolated from the outside by a system barrier. She was devoured by a parasitic monster.

This was a fact known through Coconut, who had played alongside her from the selection test to the beginner section.

At that time, Coconut mentioned that Nineta had spoken about a “growth-type purification” trait to him.

– I told her I wasn’t growth-type, and she just clammed up.

– Frankly, if I was in her position, I would have done the same.

– Winning first place in that chaos suggests they’re individuals who stand out no matter the circumstances…

– They wouldn’t be idiotic enough to brag about being special, would they?

Revealing information that could turn oneself into a target in unknown situations was a foolish act.

‘In reality, the first-place winners of the first and second rounds of the promotion test have never appeared in the community.’

Of course, I had gathered their codenames through others who had taken the test in the same round.

Using those codenames, I was in the process of investigating them from various angles.

But no notable activities have been reported.

Perhaps they, like Nineta, had perished.

“Phew.”

Contemplating the worst-case scenario, Lily sighed and then rubbed her temples.

I could almost be certain that first place in the promotion test would ascend to the Alpha rank.

In this situation, Lily knew another round’s first-place player.

‘The player who claimed first place in the Beta Test round’s promotion test.’

A person undoubtedly of Alpha rank, and perhaps one of the very few.

‘K.’

If Alpha rank was indeed a privilege granted only to the top player of the promotion test,

‘Facing the beginning of serious clashes with general-rank people, opposing K would be suicidal.’

Instead, I should resort to any measure to protect him.

Currently, he seemed to be the only solution against the mysterious pathogen.

When Lily swallowed nervously, K, who seemed to finish his thoughts alone, spoke again.

“I doubt it’ll be much help, but you should pass it onto the higher-ups.”

“What?”

“If they set their sights on me once more, even the cooperation today won’t be on the table.”

His voice was so casual as if discussing the weather, yet the content was chilling to the point of causing cold sweat to form on my back.

‘Falling out with him is not an option.’

He was someone who didn’t forget grievances.

If he couldn’t settle them immediately, he’d patiently hold onto them until he could.

Diligence, perseverance, tenacity.

Once these traits that described K were turned against me, he would become the biggest headache.

Without having found another Alpha, I had to accept K’s warning and lower myself.

‘Thinking about the future, I must not oppose the Alpha.’

So far, the Demi-human alliance could only make headway because the strong in the enemy ranks remained still.

‘If the generals and commanders move again—’

No, as soon as the 8-star general-rank who could use Kerak took action, we would start to be pushed back.

‘Bihar wouldn’t be able to withstand for long.’

Eventually, the flames of war would shift to Earth.

If K’s relationship, which might solve the issues brought by the 8-star generals, were to fall apart?

It would block the lifeline for thousands of American players.

If Martin didn’t heed K’s warning…

“Even if I must swap out the higher-ups, I ensure this doesn’t happen again.”

Lily expressed her strong determination in a trembling voice.

* * *

Words I never imagined coming from Lily Evans.

A type who valued principle and had considerable patriotism.

That was also Ethan’s assessment from once having hunted alongside her.

What I saw wasn’t much different.

‘She generally adhered to principles and fairness.’

She certainly had a tendency to prioritize America’s interests.

That’s why it was even more surprising.

She’d control her upper echelons so as not to threaten me to boot.

Not to shun them just for having an American nationality.

Lily Evans’s words really meant that.

‘There’s no assurance that the purification on pathogens affects others.’

It was a quite earnest attitude, wasn’t it?

‘I initially planned to warn them on the return journey.’

For weeks, I’d been surveilling the CIA’s internal affairs through a player known to the Sniper.

In a situation where I’d rejected friendly relations with America several times, expected words and deeds were apparent.

So after Zhang Tianyu’s hunt ended, I planned to give a light warning at the aircraft or vehicle they planned to leave in.

But due to the pathogen, it seemed unnecessary.

“I didn’t expect to hear such words from you.”

When I shared my honest thoughts, Lily Evans responded with a bitter smile.

“A year is a long time.”

Her words made me reflect on my journey anew.

‘It’s been a year since the game started….’

Just as I was about to delve into reminiscence.

“Moreover, I, too, am a player.”

Lily Evans added a word, making me realize anew just how valuable the hand I held was.

‘The traits given to Beta-ranked players aren’t growth-type.’

They only purify corrupted mana; they can’t purify pathogens.

Only an Alpha-ranked player can accomplish this.

‘If this fact becomes known, everyone would scramble to find the Alpha.’

With rough hands, I ruffled my hair and walked forward.

Upon arriving at Zhang Tianyu’s corpse, I retrieved Kerak’s spear lying beside it.

And bent down to look at Zhang Tianyu, who had died due to a momentary lapse.

‘Structure, Kerak, barrier, betrayal, hidden mission….’

Clues that couldn’t be unified roamed the subconscious, scattered here and there.

I pulled them up to a conscious level, repeatedly combining and unraveling them.

Hypotheses, speculations, and imagination.

I pulled every string to build and then dismantle a fortress repeatedly.

How many times did I repeat the process of building and dismantling everything I could do into a coherent theory?

‘Monsters might be able to intervene in the game, too.’

Assuming the black hand’s purpose wasn’t abduction but rescue, and confirming Zhang Tianyu as a traitor.

‘That could also explain why he wasn’t listed in the bounty mission.’

Checking my capitalist trait, which had shifted to inactive mode, some time passed.

‘Maybe the claim that bounty targets were informed of the hunters’ location is related to this hypothesis?’

The possibility wasn’t nil.

While the system developing the game didn’t intend it, perhaps monsters capable of intervening in the game had twisted it that way.

Recalling the strange, fragmented tutorial notice, my suspicion deepened.

≪Important Notice≫

This system has been developed to prepare for §&^ː$’s infiltration and to combat □% §¿ː’s ^$*(!$ from %!▼ # and ◎¡!# to ◎ː&△’s aims.

The player stops §¿§’s infiltration and strives to complete the objectives laid out in #&¡!^’^\ by leveling θƙש^^^{-‘є}.

Once again reflecting on the problematic notice etched in both memory and record, my gaze narrowed.

‘If really, the system cannot fully control this game situation…’

From there, again, dozens of thoughts sprouted and branched far and wide.

“Phew.”

My head hurt too much.

Push non-urgent speculations aside, clean up necessities first, step by step.

‘If there are traitors, hasten.’

There couldn’t be just Zhang Tianyu in collusion with them.

‘Without even one, I could regard it as an unreachable situation.’

Having at least one, that premise must be discarded.

In the worst-case scenario, assuming Earth’s information leaked to the monster side was correct.

‘Probably not all military information from various countries was leaked.’

Considering Zhang Tianyu or possible hidden traitors couldn’t access such classified information.

But at the very least, the monster side must be seen as starting to “learn” about this world.

Listing the worst possible outcomes one by one eventually arrived at a straightforward conclusion.

‘Need to hasten war preparations.’

Enhance the association’s influence to firmly manage the players.

Also, I couldn’t neglect my personal combat power.

‘I must become a platinum star as soon as possible.’

No, I must rise even higher.

Arriving at a clear conclusion, much changed.

Previously avoiding close ties with Lily Evans, my mind shifted.

Remaining as is wouldn’t work.

Having realized the need for change, prompt action was necessary.

Even if it meant enduring a certain level of bleeding, there mustn’t be hesitation.

Having sorted my mind, I turned to Lily Evans and spoke.

“Care to make a deal with me?”

“…… Please, go ahead.”

“Could you herd the corrupted areas of 4-stars or higher? Preferably towards the south and central regions, minimizing relocation.”

“…… You’re asking the association to monopolize the corrupted areas and control others’ access, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

It’s impossible for me alone.

But harnessing the association’s manpower could make it possible.

‘Once the fact of monopoly leaks outside, there’d be backlash from other players, but….’

As long as there’s a purpose, I don’t care if I get bad-mouthed.

Maintaining a firm stance, I scrutinized Lily.

Shortly after, she sighed shallowly and nodded.

“Understood. Once the sixth scenario starts and additional outposts open, I’ll exert maximum effort.”

The moment the schedules post-return to Bihar got even more cramped.

Fortunately or unfortunately, my party members set to endure the tight schedule weren’t present here.

“Instead, could you share clearer information about the Alpha and prioritize purifying infected American players?”

It was the anticipated condition.

In fact, it was the same condition I intended to offer in exchange for monopolizing corrupted areas.

Though it had a slight problem.

“Then does that mean the infection of others… cannot be purified?”

Upon me sharing what I knew, Lily Evans pinpointed the problem.

“There’s a way to verify.”

Pointing at the spot where Kerak melted, I said.

It entailed directly confirming purification on an infected person.

Understanding the meaning, Lily Evans gulped and said.

“Currently, there are infected players affiliated with the association.”

“Let’s visit the association as soon as I return to Bihar.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t get your hopes up too much.”

“Pardon?”

“Based on experience, it seems additional features get activated every time the trait levels up.”

To purify other people’s pathogens would probably need reaching level 4.

“What are your current level and proficiency?”

There was nothing to hide, so I checked my status window and replied straight away.

“Level 3, 22.98 percent.”

Around 3 percent of it had risen earlier due to the abrupt level up after purifying the pathogen.

‘I even used more purification power compared to reaching level 2, yet proficiency barely increased.’

Despite purifying all the corrupted mana of myself, Kim Yul, and Yang Taeho, the progress felt glacially slow.

Perhaps the main purification target differed for each level.

‘Do I have to actively seek out the 8-star generals or something?’

I thought to the extent of contemplating getting infected intentionally and purifying with a speed run to level 4.

I snapped the chain of thought at its root.

Better to shift focus on wrapping up commenced matters surely rather than overthink premature issues.

“By the way, how went the rescue operation?”

“Mostly successful.”

Some shelters faced fierce resistance, akin to incidents of near-self-destruction,

Yet, more than 80% civilian extraction succeeded.

Hearing the expected answer left a heavy heart.

‘Can this even be called fortunate?’

The United States spearheaded this rescue.

Of course, with participation from Ethan and other chiefs from various countries.

The involved parties would divvy up the influence they’d reap over future China affairs.

This was an established fact, so since a better solution wasn’t clear, I kept a step back.

‘I monopolized Zhang Tianyu’s mana, too; there’s no loss for me.’

Yet, ignoring the sense of wrongness didn’t mean I didn’t feel it.

On the surface, the Association would aid reunification of Chinese players and their families, who were treated as slaves.

In the background, however, they’d control the player faction using restraints and various magic tools.

‘Would be ideal to exclude civilians, truly.’

No nation that invested time and resources into this issue would ever allow it.

They’d surely clutch onto it with excuses aplenty.

“Phew.”

There were no strong feelings about this case.

Leaving a suppressive government like China’s unchecked would create difficulties in future war efforts.

Thus, it was more about preemptive tidying up.

Thinking this through repeatedly didn’t stop the unsettling stirrings within.

The essence of what the Association was doing wasn’t fundamentally different from China’s actions.

‘At least there are too many eyes now—’

They couldn’t just run rampantly, unlike China.

Rationalizing seemed to quell unwanted emotions momentarily, but an ironic smile crept up.

Given my predictably fierce outrage should anyone threaten my family, this irony felt even sharper.

If bestowed with special power, would things have been different?

In the game, I’m deemed an irregular, possessing substantial influence constantly monitored by most nations.

Yet, real-world shackles remain unbroken.

To relinquish these persistent millions of shackles—

Where must I ascend?

At the moment when my feet firmly planted on the ground felt like sinking into a quagmire,

“Would you like to hear other reports?”

Lily Evans pulled me from the disconnect.

‘Offering information unprompted?’

Judging by the attitude, it seems she resolved to change course.

‘Well,’

Faced with indeterminate Alphas, betting on the most certain horse to brace against the pathogen problem seemed logical.

The underlying objective held, was ensuring safety for American players.

Thus ensuring American territories retained security.

‘Her first concern for America hasn’t changed.’

The only change was in assessing me as crucial to America’s safety, causing her to tread carefully.

Although Lily Evans’s strategic pivot was unexpected,

There wasn’t a thought of refusal.

With her coming under my control, where was the room for rejection?

‘Why refuse what’s practically spoon-fed?’

Running a sweep over her face, I asked.

“How about the underground?”

Damned System