Chapter 291

Chapter 291. Palao’s Will (6)

It seemed like revisiting old times was possible once again.

“What is this?”

I was puzzled, so I asked Park Hayoung what the issue was. She responded.

“Why is your diction so good? Have you been practicing for an announcer’s job? Is that it? I switched to being a journalist because it was impossible for me!”

“What are you talking about? A player’s control over their body surpasses human level. Did you get that, civilian?”

The same could be said for controlling one’s tongue or vocal cords.

Ordinary humans would need to practice hundreds or thousands of times to achieve what players could succeed at in one go.

Just as the Damned System arbitrarily categorized, it was hard to see humans and players as the same species.

‘I was merely denying that fact on an emotional level.’

Even if the system’s classification was correct from an objective viewpoint, I would never accept it.

“Anyway, this is unfair!”

I grabbed the smartphone from Park Hayoung, who banged her forehead on the table in frustration.

I touched the screen to rewind a bit and resume the part we had paused earlier.

「We will update you with special reports from NBC as news about our new neighbors comes in.」

The news concluded with announcer Han Kyungsu discussing the demihumans.

As the script had outlined, my plan would proceed accordingly.

‘Yul starting by spreading videos focused on the young beastfolk of Beltana is the beginning.’

Pretending it was a casual mistake during a live broadcast, by gradually leaking images, I intended to emphasize the alliance and the notion of them being friendly.

‘289,446 beastfolk and 38,743 dwarves.’

They had to settle on Earth. When the war ended, there would be nowhere for them to return.

‘Bihar was already collapsing.’

What lay at the end was a ruin uninhabitable for life.

Thus, I regarded the adaptation of Biharin as a very important issue.

To aid their adaptation, I planned to actively utilize video platforms and SNS systems, including UTube.

‘The public can be a vicious perpetrator and a great embracer.’

By using that difference wisely, I could minimize rejection and help them assimilate into this world.

This was an essential move, especially for the many more immigrants expected to arrive later.

Of course, it wasn’t me leading this endeavor but Kim Yul.

‘I’m not well-versed in trends in this area.’

Once I provided the outcome I desired, Kim Yul would draft a detailed plan and execute it.

To that end, we secured various filming and editing teams, and Kim Yul was actively engaging online.

I also agreed to cooperate as much as possible. This interview was part of that cooperation.

‘Though it wasn’t the entire reason for appearing in the interview.’

Honestly, the discussion we had in the latter part was more crucial.

「This time, let’s talk about topics Mr. Hyunwoo can speak more about, rather than those difficult for him to address.」

Announcer Han Kyungsu started.

「Recently, unfortunate news has been spreading. It seems that the occurrence of objects named Holes through the Player Association is gradually increasing. Let’s view the prepared on-site video by NBC.」

The screen changed to an unexpected scene.

A mysterious white orb floated in the middle of a congested highway.

It was a sphere nearly the size of a basketball, larger than a person’s head.

「Look at that!」

「Wow, it’s the first time I’m seeing one in person.」

「Isn’t that a Hole? With two stars… Is it a low level?」

To be precise, the orb wasn’t completely white.

A dark color was slowly rising from the bottom of the orb.

It moved sinisterly like a creeping mist.

The dark mist inside the orb was clearly visible as recorded in the video.

These sightings were not the end.

More videos followed, with some showing orbs dyed almost entirely black.

「As you can see, the white or black orb is called a Hole. Mr. Hyunwoo, did I explain correctly?」

「Yes, you did.」

This change emerged when the system began summoning players to Earth.

The previous method of selecting missions from a mission window and entering was replaced with random appearances of Holes.

Just like the method Biharin used when it was invaded in the past.

‘With the system by my side, I couldn’t block all the Holes.’

This forced alteration in the mission’s process was becoming permanent.

The orb symbolized a place connected to a Hole.

「If being near those Holes is so dangerous… Can you explain the exact reason?」

「It’s not difficult. Those are the pathways for monsters to cross over.」

「If someone is near a Hole, then….」

「It’s very dangerous. The fewer stars above the orb, and the more active the movement of black smoke, the further you should run upon sighting it.」

I explained.

It indicated an imminent opening of a Hole.

「I see….」

「If you watch the video again, you’ll realize the black grows slowly in some orbs but faster in others.」

This phenomenon occurred due to a difference in the Hole’s capacity.

The lower the level of the corrupted area it connected to, the faster it filled.

This was similar to how a smaller tunnel finishes construction faster than a larger one, given the same resources and manpower.

Once smoke started filling the orb, players could enter a corrupted area of Biharin.

If they cleared it perfectly and destroyed its messeo, the Hole would close without causing any harm on Earth.

But if they were too late and the orb turned completely black, what then?

「When that black smoke fills the white orb…」

Han Kyungsu trailed off.

「Monsters will come. To feast on delectable human flesh.」

I continued, as my expression changed from keeping a light smile throughout the more amicable atmosphere of the conversation.

Even just a slight sharpening of my gaze altered the feeling conveyed through the video entirely.

「I—uh, so….」

Han Kyungsu faltered, unable to adjust to the sudden pressure.

I carried on, sparing him.

「So, you must recognize that observing Holes, like the viewers of the report videos did, is extremely risky. Surely, there have already been incidents of harm?」

When a Hole formed, mana from Bihar leaked out.

To manage them, associations from various countries assigned patrols to players with Mana Detection skills to detect that mana and dispatched personnel to the scene.

Still, some Holes would connect before the players arrived.

The civilians hovering around during such times perished.

「Yes, indeed. But many are still interested in Holes. Among them, some claim they can hunt monsters independently. What do you think about that?」

Han Kyungsu asked an oddly intriguing question.

「Is the question about whether civilians can hunt monsters?」

「Yes, do you see the possibility? We’d like to hear your view.」

「Impossible.」

It was a firm answer with no room for reconsideration.

「You’re so firm. Can you elaborate on why you think so?」

「I find it rather ironic that I even have to explain this.」

I started, trailing off as I motioned my hand to the side of the table.

Too cumbersome to bend down, I flicked my fingers to summon the tumbler Park Hayoung had prepared, which flew into my hand.

After gulping down the water inside it, I continued, pressing my thumb firmly onto the top of the tumbler.

「When at Bronze rank, it was like this.」

The pressure crushed the tumbler’s mouth.

Not stopping there, I grasped both ends of the tumbler with my index fingers and thumbs and pulled it apart in different directions.

Tearing it apart like paper.

「And at Silver rank it’s like this.」

I demonstrated further as the previously crushed mouth of the tumbler squeaked while ripping apart.

Leaving it unfinished felt insufficient.

「Reaching Gold rank allows this.」

I declared, crumpling the tumbler into a sphere with my hands.

The studio visible through the video fell silent for a moment.

The unmistakable everyday item was used to demonstrate a nonsensical feat for a simple reason.

‘So anyone could try it once.’

People would understand just how unrealistic what I showed was.

‘That would raise awareness.’

After setting the ruined tumbler down on the table, I spoke up again.

「Even players like this Die because of monsters.」

「….」

「Out of 7, 2 perished, 79 out of 249, and 668 out of 2,173… Since the awakening of Bronze rank players and their first engagement through Promotion Tests, the mortality rate has approached 30%.」

My figure on screen shrugged.

「Even in Silver, Gold, and Platinum ranks, deaths occur persistently. Expecting civilians to survive is absurdist.」

「….」

「Of course, with the help of firearms, you might eliminate a few small monsters… but the moment you face an Evolved Species, you’re lunch. That’s why I said it’s impossible.」

Instead of ‘die’, I chose ‘be consumed’.

I emphasized that in front of a monster, humans were mere meat slabs.

Perhaps acknowledging the threat, Han Kyungsu swallowed hard.

I took the chance to continue.

「I heard that the association conveyed response guidelines on Holes to governments worldwide. The rest hinges on government capacities. I believe they should quickly educate citizens, be it through civil defense drills or new curriculums incorporating these guidelines.」

「However, some argue the association exaggerates threats and coerces governments. They claim it’s a struggle for dominance between the great powers of the world. What are your thoughts on this, Mr. Hyunwoo?」

「Are you referring to my personal opinion?」

「Yes, that’s right.」

「Hmm… I feel it’s unnecessary to exert extra effort to persuade if we are already stating facts, yet they remain unconvinced.」

「Does that mean not interfering with those who reject or resist the association’s directives?」

「It slightly differs, but similar in desired outcomes. Amidst my busy life, I’m not a philanthropical enough person to assert that I should take care of people eager to die.」

The confrontational statement flustered Han Kyungsu.

The pre-prepared script merely outlined the types of questions and response order, without detailing what I would say exactly.

Consequently, not only was Han Kyungsu taken aback, but the producers and other production staff seemed bewildered as well.

Since it was live, editing was impossible. Han Kyungsu tried to smooth over the situation with words.

「Haha, Mr. Hyunwoo seems to take this matter more seriously than expected. Everyone should sense the urge for caution from Mr. Hyunwoo and…,” he attempted」

「I deeply appreciate the civilians lingering around Holes.」

I refused to cooperate with his earnest effort.

「」…. Excuse me?」

「The victims leaving at Hole fronts provide objective statistical data. It serves as proof of how foolish those who claim the association’s warnings are exaggerated truly are.」

「Oh….」

「When empty-headed people collectively drag each other down, should I be the one to stop them?」

Their disappearance would allow those who think properly to repel the invasion more effectively.

「I think it’s better to address the problem early and organize neatly, rather than having those folks trip us up at crucial moments later on.」

The shocking statement left Han Kyungsu speechless again.

Naturally, I had no intention of siding with that silence.

Damned System

TL’s Corner:

MC is pretty brutal regarding other people’s stupidity. No need to mince words.