Chapter 185

Chapter 185. Fishing (4)

“While I’m away, please check his level. I’ll bring a few educational materials when I come back.”

“That’s a good idea. For subjects like Korean, English, and Math, unless you sit down and focus on them, it’s hard to progress. Should we check that too?”

“No, the training schedule is too tight for that. Let’s start with history first.”

“Korean and world history?”

“Yes, we can teach Chinese characters and English along the way.”

“Sounds good. I’m quite knowledgeable in history, so I can handle it.”

“Wait a moment!”

If this continued, I’d end up studying on top of an already packed schedule.

Sensing the danger, Kim Yul protested vehemently.

“Why is my studying suddenly a topic of conversation?”

“Since we’re staying together, as a guardian…”

“I don’t need a guardian, okay? And who says you can teach me? How well can you even do academics?”

This was desperate resistance, but sadly misguided.

“Didn’t you know? Taeho hyung completed a master’s program.”

“Master’s…?”

What’s that? History something, maybe it means something similar?

As he blinked blankly, K explained.

“… Bachelor’s, master’s, PhD. They’re degrees, kind of like qualifications for people who go beyond high school.”

“Oh, so Master’s is… second?”

“Yes, among us, Taeho hyung has the longest education. His major was history.”

By his side, as Kim Yul widened his eyes in surprise, Yang Taeho smiled bashfully.

“It’s not really special, just a local university. I even had to quit because of a kid.”

Shortly afterward, K let out a light sigh and continued.

“We’re not asking you to go to school right now. Surviving is more important than studying. We all know that much.”

“Oh…”

“But what about when this damned game ends?”

It was an unexpected topic that left him speechless.

“By then, you’ll need to at least pass a GED test. If not, are you going to bury your bones in Bihar? Haven’t you thought about the future on Earth? Overlooking the common sense and knowledge of that place isn’t good. This game isn’t your whole life.”

Kim Yul closed his mouth, unable to argue further.

‘When the game ends…’

That thought, which he hadn’t considered, lodged deep in his mind.

While Kim Yul stayed silent, K’s words kept coming.

Most were more like nagging advice.

Don’t skip training, keep the hunting schedule, contact if there’s anything urgent, and so forth.

While speaking so earnestly, his hands were busy with something else.

Kim Yul, caught in a peculiar sentiment, stared intently at K.

He was eating with his left hand while busily writing something with his right.

‘Oh, he’s transcribing chat messages.’

Through a group called Club 249, K was quite well-connected within the association.

Thanks to that, he was privy to a lot of information that came through them.

‘I heard he’s the one who founded that group.’

He had gathered standout players from the early days to form a kind of network.

And through it, he organized and shared relevant information during each meal.

‘He’s probably also searching the community while doing that.’

Checking issues like rumors circulating among players, accidents, and power struggles between large parties that had started expanding to over a hundred members.

‘And also…’

Kim Yul began counting on his fingers under the table, keeping track of everything K was doing.

‘He keeps receiving anonymous reports about the world government and posts them after organizing.’

Additionally, he periodically uploaded game guides, providing useful tips for latecomers without neglect.

‘On top of personal training, dueling with holy knights, gathering mana through hunting, and regularly visiting the orphanage?’

The complexity of his daily schedule sparked curiosity.

Observing K in newfound amazement for a moment, Kim Yul subtly typed “Kj” into the community search bar.

The results appeared in no small amount.

The topics varied: sighting reports, reviews praising his looks, stories about his recent haircut.

There were casual chats and articles providing serious analysis of his combat capabilities.

Compared to other ordinary players, the noise level was quite significant.

Kim Yul didn’t stop there and removed the “j” from the search term.

“Wow…”

He couldn’t help but let out an exclamation.

The search results had at least increased tenfold.

Even excluding the posts related to “Kj” searched earlier, the noise level was enormous.

Here and there, everyone seemed to be talking about K.

It was amazing how he still maintained his secrecy under so much public attention.

‘He’s really meticulous.’

With someone so deliberate in concealing himself, it’s no wonder even the government was left frustrated.

As he immersed in contemplation, Kim Yul considered K more deeply.

‘He’s not someone who struggles to interact with others, nor does he particularly avoid them.’

He’s not the type to have difficulties in social interactions.

From his relationships with people from Club 249 to the association staff, and even with figures from the Order, K managed well.

But at the same time, that doesn’t mean he seeks people out.

‘He seems to be constantly doing things on his own.’

K fit in well when with others but could also manage alone.

His seemingly contradictory, dual nature masked thorough self-management and impeccable time management.

‘No wonder he thinks about such things.’

K’s words were laden with determination to see this game to its end.

Ending the game could mean ending the war after all.

Kim Yul felt a tumult within, although he couldn’t quite describe it accurately.

Absentmindedly rubbing his chest, there came a knock from the living room.

Right as K finished his meal and stood up, he said, “Let me get that.”

Once K left the kitchen, feeling a gaze, Kim Yul turned his head.

He met Yang Taeho’s eyes.

Not long ago, he would’ve instantly turned away, but—

“What, why?”

Now, he was attempting to get along, just acting a bit prickly.

He had decided to end pointless rivalry with Yang Taeho.

“Shall we have a spar after finishing the meal?”

“All of a sudden?”

“If I don’t improve my blunt weapon skills this time, they really might eat me alive. Would you help a bit?”

“… Well, since you’re asking.”

Both had just finished their meals, so they gathered the utensils and left the kitchen.

The moment they stepped into the living room—

“If you wanted such a warm welcome, you shouldn’t have plotted nonsense behind someone’s back.”

K’s sharp voice echoed.

Kim Yul instinctively turned his head, narrowing his eyes.

In the open doorway stood K blocking the way—and beyond him…

‘A priest’s robe?’

The one standing behind the open door was a priest of Agnotia.

* * *

The guest who arrived at the base immediately after breakfast was Rashar.

The problem was that she had company.

“I’m sorry. I tried to stop them, but they were too persistent…”

It seemed Rashar was somewhat intimidated by me, perhaps because of the distance created from the inauguration event.

“But, I thought that if I come along, they won’t act recklessly…”

Expectedly, she avoided initiating any exchange.

At best, we’d meet when discussing matters related to the Order.

Her communication with me had stopped some time ago, even the comments on the posts.

Meaning she didn’t bring this unwelcome guest of her own volition.

‘A priest…’

I lightly glanced over the priests of Agnotia standing behind Rashar.

Under normal circumstances, I would have sent them away without a second thought.

But since I had some business with their side as well, I considered letting them in to talk.

“I’m Romeo, a servant of Agnotia. It’s not very pleasant to leave guests standing at the entrance like this on our first meeting, don’t you think?”

What audacity this cheeky Romeo priest had, using twisted words to tug at my nerves.

I let out a small chuckle and decided to graciously pay attention to his insinuations.

“If you wanted such a warm welcome, you shouldn’t have plotted nonsense behind someone’s back.”

Romeo, who had been feigning solemnity, froze at my sharp words.

“Kneeling and begging might not even be enough to spare you, yet here you are, all haughty and stiff. Not the best choice, is it?”

“What the…”

“Running here like a maniac, as if your foot’s on fire, dying to know how much I’ve uncovered through Somir Isha, right?”

Only after I had thoroughly mocked him did I shrug and turn away.

“Although I don’t want to waste my time listening to nonsense, since you’ve put in the effort to visit, I’ll hear you out. Come in.”

When I opened the way for him to enter, Romeo, despite his rigid expression, walked confidently.

But he couldn’t step inside our party’s base.

I blocked the entrance with my leg just as he was about to cross the threshold.

Romeo looked down at my leg blocking his path, then sharply raised his head.

He seemed on the verge of questioning my actions.

But I was a step ahead.

I raised my eyebrows high, speaking brightly as our eyes met.

“Crawl.”

After a brief silence, Romeo’s face flushed bright red.

Just before he could shout—

“This!”

I stepped back.

“Geez, can’t even take a joke.”

I just played around, but if he reacts that sensitively, what does that make me?

Even though I was in the wrong, I blamed him—using the exact tactic he had aimed at me.

“What are you doing? Not coming in?”

Only after giving him a suitable dose of mockery and embarrassment did I allow Romeo into the base.

Seeing party members emerging from the kitchen at the same moment, I gave them a casual wave.

In response to my signal to clear the area, they glanced at Romeo and moved upstairs.

After heading to the sofa and sitting down, Romeo glared as if he wanted to devour me before taking a seat opposite.

Following that, Rashar, who had entered after Romeo, stood behind me.

I considered inviting her to sit beside me but decided against it, disinclined as I was to engage further with her.

“So, what’s brought you here today?”

Without offering him any refreshment, I sat with one leg crossed, questioning his purpose, prompting Romeo to clench his jaw.

He probably was mentally cursing me out.

“I came to clarify a misunderstanding that needs resolving.”

Still, his attempt to maintain decorum seemed laughable.

Assessing Romeo, I quickly organized the current power structure and political dynamics within the Order in my mind.

‘Jose Wolfrian and the moderates are mostly leading the Order.’

And in recent years, the radicals, who had expanded their influence, were in conflict.

This wasn’t an issue confined to a single order; it was a problem affecting all seven major orders.

Among them, the radicals held the most power within Senoa.

‘Gallonic was once among those radicals.’

In Agnotia and Meferoseta, their influence could not be ignored.

The dynamics among the seven orders saw the remaining four orders restraining the radicals within these three orders.

Considerable credit was due to Temoria and Finelpenia for this restraint.

Palao had lost its power, and Karlos hardly involved itself in inter-order politics.

‘The insistence on Vellego’s investiture from Agnotia aligns with the radicals.’

Most of them believed that sacrificing devotees for their god’s sake was the true path of a servant.

In short, these individuals didn’t hesitate to use hundreds or thousands of lives as offerings for their god.

‘That’s called fanaticism.’

It’s fortunate that the moderates still held the reigns in the order.

If the radicals had taken control, Bihar would have quickened its path to ruin.

Fortunately, Jose Wolfrian’s moderate faction held firm.

‘Now that they dare not touch Gallonic under imperial protection, having expelled them…’

The moderates seemed keen on cleaning out the radicals within the order this time.

In reality, the minute the investigation teams started their activities, radicals from each order were captured on various charges.

‘They managed to make it appear as if the investigative teams discovered the crimes, handing them to the central headquarters’ inspection team.’

It wasn’t a difficult feat.

While players led investigation teams 3, 4, and 5…

The leaders of teams 1 and 2 were holy knights from Temoria and Finelpenia.

They outwardly declared targeting traffickers associating with traitors but started purging the radicals behind the scenes.

Therefore, even should I bring Agnotia’s abduction attempt to light, they would not stop me.

‘The initiative is in my hands.’

So, I just needed to relax and listen to whatever nonsense they came up with.

Tapping my chin, I beckoned at Romeo with a nod, encouraging him to continue.

Grinding his teeth, Romeo shook slightly as he reached into his sleeve.

At that moment, Rashar, standing behind me, placed her hand on her sword.

Though it seemed like she was standing guard, the gesture almost sparked my ire, though I was distracted by what Romeo retrieved from his sleeve.

With a sound, a fist-sized box landed on the table.

“First, please take a look at this.”

The air of authority Romeo exuded earlier, as if confident that what he presented would sway me to his will, was almost comical.

‘Confident, huh?’

Eyeing him while twisting open the lid, I picked up the mysterious box.

As soon as it opened, Rashar and I simultaneously shuddered.

We both felt the essence seeping out the moment the lid lifted.

After a short pause, Rashar was the first to react.

“What is this… How did this happen?!”

Meanwhile, I merely stared at the item within the box.

A fragment of glass, subtly shimmering with a golden hue.

The aura emitting from that piece quickly filled the entire base.

‘Divinity.’

It was the same divinity I felt when I received an additional awakening from Palao.

Damned System.