Chapter 10: Sub-character Training Is The Basics Of A Bad Game (1)

The topics of the nest’s natural extinction and humanity’s hope were fleeting, disappearing after just a day.

The status window had issued a death sentence to everyone worldwide.

[Time remaining until the next rift eruption: 42h]

In roughly two days, the second eruption would occur.

We wouldn’t be caught off guard as badly as the first time, but it was still inevitable that the entire nation would plunge into chaos. 

Especially since people from rural areas were fleeing to nearby major cities, the streets were now packed with crowds.

It was like a scene straight out of an apocalyptic movie.

At this moment, I was facing two major problems.

The first was the message displayed on my phone screen.

[Unregistered Awakened individuals must register at a government office by tomorrow.]

With the eruption approaching, there was only one day left for Awakened individuals to voluntarily register.

This led to the second problem.

“Even if they tell me to register…”

Thanks to Selene’s dazzling debut show, my notoriety as the Lord of the Abyss was already widespread across the country. 

Registering as an Awakened individual was out of the question.

But living disconnected from society without registering wasn’t an option either.

Although I was currently hiding in the Abyss, I still had a home and a life to maintain in society.

“I guess I have no choice but to register under a fake identity.”

This was the only solution I could think of.

It’s like creating an alternate account, so to speak.

However, there was another issue.

The maximum power I could currently muster was the Charred Saintess Selene and the Hellfire Guard Dog.

But both were too conspicuous. 

The Hellfire Guard Dog was a disaster that had caused over a thousand deaths during the last eruption, and Selene’s face was already well-known.

“Even if we disguise her… it probably won’t work.”

I sighed while looking at Selene.

Her ashen hair and red eyes could somehow be concealed, but there was no way to hide her burned, ruined skin. 

A hijab wouldn’t work either.

In the end, there was only one solution.

“Elixir.”

Just like in the game, using an Elixir could restore Selene’s body to its original state. 

However, the Elixir was a 4-star consumable item. 

Obtaining one now was like trying to pluck a star from the sky.

“I’m sorry.”

Perhaps sensing my dilemma, Selene cautiously spoke up.

“I’ve made the body you healed ugly once again.”

Selene’s expression was genuinely painful.

It seemed that her returning to her initial state was her own doing.

Did she ruin her body again on her own?

I hesitated to ask why, fearing the answer would be too heavy to bear.

*

The district office was packed with people.

Tents were set up everywhere, and refugees from nearby towns were lined up waiting for rations.

During the war, everyone fled south, but now they were all heading to Seoul. 

The irony of the situation wasn’t lost on me.

“You there! Get in line properly!”

Someone shouted at me.

I stood there blankly before a civil servant approached me, and I discreetly asked,

“Excuse me, about the Awakened registration…”

“Ah! You’re an Awakened! Please follow me!”

As soon as the word “Awakened” left my mouth, the gazes around me turned to ones of envy.

The civil servant led me to a separate room. I was even offered what looked like an expensive car. 

The contrast between this lavish treatment and the people sleeping in tents outside was stark.

In this crumbling world, Awakened individuals were the new nobility.

“Please fill out these forms. Also, include details about the disasters you possess and any base upgrades. And provide a contact number for emergencies. Do you have any identification?”

“Will a driver’s license work?”

“That’s fine.”

The receptionist handling Awakened registrations handed me the forms with a businesslike expression.

I filled out the paperwork without hesitation.

I wrote my name as Jooyeon and listed the disasters I possessed as one 2-star and four 1-stars.

“Oh, you have a 2-star disaster? May I verify it?”

“I was lucky with the synthesis.”

I manipulated the status window to summon the 2-star disaster, Stardust Golem.

It was a reward from successfully clearing the Cheonan Nest.

“Impressive. Awakened individuals with 2-star disasters are eligible for additional support funds.”

The receptionist handed me another form, this one resembling a contract.

“By the way, if you’re called to another region, it could be considered a violation of the Awakened Special Act. It’s called tampering, and it could result in severe penalties, including imprisonment…”

According to the receptionist, local governments outside the capital region were desperate to hire Awakened individuals from other areas to protect their cities, offering large sums of money.

The joke about the “Seoul Republic” had become a reality.

“Yes, Awakened Joo Yeon, that concludes the process. Here’s your Awakened registration certificate. Also, take note of this number. If you’re called, you must report to the designated location within an hour.”

“Called?”

“We have to protect the citizens.”

The receptionist handed me a detailed summons notice and explained further.

From legal penalties for failing to respond to the summons to maintaining the dignity of Awakened individuals.

I half-listened as I finished filling out the forms.

As I stepped outside the district office, a fight had broken out among the refugees. 

They were arguing over someone cutting in line or stealing ration tickets.

The harsh reality hit me, and I quickly walked away. Selene was waiting outside.

She had pulled her hood low to hide her identity, but there was something oddly endearing about her.

“Did you finish your business?”

“Yeah. Showing this guy made things easier.”

I showed her the 2-star Stardust Golem in my arms.

Despite its name, it was surprisingly small.

But don’t be fooled—it could easily crush dozens of people.

[Squeeze…]

“Selene, what’s wrong? You’re scared of it.”

“…It’s nothing.”

Selene had been glaring at the golem.

When I scolded her, she finally looked away. 

For a brief moment, I thought I saw her click her tongue.

“Anyway, I’ll have to step up as an Awakened during tomorrow’s eruption.”

According to the civil servant, Awakened individuals were required to clear out the disasters outside while the citizens took shelter.

But during the next eruption, I couldn’t bring Selene or the Hellfire Guard Dog.

They were too conspicuous.

“So tomorrow, I’ll fight with this Stardust Golem.”

“It’s dangerous.”

“If it gets really dangerous, if I’m about to die, that’s when you can step in.”

“I’ll stay nearby.”

Selene reluctantly nodded.

Even so, the chances of Selene needing to step in were slim.

The second eruption would likely consist of mostly 1-star and 2-star disasters, with a very slim chance of a 3-star appearing.

Well, nothing major should happen.

I was optimistic.

But Selene seemed to be preparing for the worst, as she cautiously added,

“May I ask one thing?”

“What is it?”

“If any disaster other than me approaches you, you must not respond under any circumstances.”

I frowned, not understanding her words.

She slowly shifted her gaze.

Coincidentally, her gaze landed on the towering structure rising in Yeouido.

*

The High Tower.

A woman with jet-black hair and deep blue eyes, Mirien, the Storm of the North Sea, sat on the top-floor terrace, looking down.

In her hand was a phone.

In the month since she arrived in this dimension, Mirien had spent her time familiarizing herself with the new technology.

Now, she skillfully turned on the device and played a video.

The image of her former comrade, Selene, wielding the Flaming Wedge Sword.

In a monotone voice, Selene spoke.

‘My only master is the Lord of the Rift. That is all.’

“…You bitch.”

Mirien muttered a curse and clenched the phone tightly.

The device shattered in her grip, but she paid it no mind. A simple spell could restore it.

Her attention was solely on Selene and the Lord of the Rift below.

“Trying to monopolize the Lord?”

That wench wouldn’t have said such a thing for no reason.

This was a message.

A declaration of war to her former comrades scattered across dimensions.

Selene was capable of such a thing. 

A beast filled with nothing but ashes. 

She should have died at the stake, but she survived thanks to the Lord’s favor.

Mirien found it utterly infuriating.

“…How dare you, how dare you…”

She wanted to unleash a grand spell and obliterate the ground Selene stood on.

But she couldn’t.

Because the Lord, in human form, was living openly on this land.

And though Mirien had been cast aside, she still held feelings for the Lord.

They were similar to Selene’s loyalty, but slightly different.

“…He was supposed to be mine alone…”

What Mirien felt for him was unmistakably love.

The sorceress who once dreamed of defying the heavens had fallen in love with a mere human.

“…I must protect him.”

Her obsession with magic, which even gods feared, had transformed into a desire to protect.

“I must prove who is more useful to the Lord.”

This would be the beginning of her downfall.