Chapter 192

Chapter 192. Traitor (6)

During the preliminary investigation, there was a mana response deeper than the underground parking lot.

So, as players entered this area simultaneously, there was also an incursion below.

“The children were creating Cratoll.”

It was a story that left me speechless, even though it was somewhat expected.

I swallowed a sigh and asked coolly.

“May I inquire about the Cratoll collection status?”

This operation was proceeding with the full backing of the American national budget. Though it might be impolite for me to pry, I provided a chance for refusal.

“We are burning everything we come across, but it seems endless. The distribution network may expand further. Drugs are like that. Once they bloom, they are flowers that can’t be uprooted.”

I couldn’t even sigh anymore.

The Cratoll problem mirrored the never-ending issue of bounty hunting.

Even though some of the divinity used to break through the gates was deployed to hire bounty hunters, everyone was too busy.

I pressed my temples to push aside the headache that began anew.

“Speaking of which, you mentioned something about Scenario 6 a moment ago.”

“The reconstruction of Somar Castle is nearing completion. Now, the relocation of the base will seriously begin.”

Lily Evans steadily shared the meeting contents between the association and the Order.

“With the new front-line defense established, the purification of nearby corrupted areas must come first…….”

“So they plan to deploy us there.”

The corrupted areas between the new front-line defenses had been neglected for years. It would not be surprising if Messeo was present in all those lands.

“Gathering Essences” would feel like a bothersome chore, calling it a favor for a service company, in essence.

Though it wasn’t a pleasant treatment, if I considered the benefits…….

“It’s not bad for us either. It’s an opportunity to promote the Silver ranks to Gold.”

Indeed, it was nothing detrimental.

The process of promoting the numerous Silver ranks to Gold was essential. Meeting general-rank opponents as Silver ranks severely reduced survival chances.

‘General-rank opponents are for the Gold ranks.’

Facing them as Silver ranks exponentially increased casualties.

‘We need more Gold ranks before encountering more generals.’

A Gold rank could stand shoulder to shoulder with high-ranking knights in Bihar.

‘Their weapon proficiency is lacking, but physically, they’re no pushover.’

Gradually, the Earth’s forces were being nurtured according to the system’s design.

That day, I learned the external information I had missed due to the investigation from Lily Evans.

A few minutes later, having achieved my purpose in coming to China, it was time to return.

Unlike me, Lily Evans stayed behind to handle matters.

To exit a barrier, one must make physical contact with the Implementer or the focal individual.

Lily Evans escorted me to the barrier’s exterior.

The dual barrier I created had broken, and the barrier isolating the apartment was Lily Evans’.

“Before I go, let me ask one final question.”

Before leaving, I looked directly into Lily Evans’ eyes and spoke.

“What if the condition I requested, to prioritize the corrupted areas, conflicts with American national interests?”

Lily Evans smiled wryly and replied.

“That’s an uncharacteristically foolish question.”

“…….”

“For my nation to endure, the Earth must first exist.”

Hearing Lily’s response, prioritizing correctly, made my steps lighter as I left.

* * *

Shortly after Lily left to escort Hyunwoo out of the barrier.

Small grains of stone fell suddenly from a cracked wall.

Almost simultaneously, pong, pong, pong, ripples appeared on the barrier’s surface once more.

As soon as the hole was made with a bang, it wasn’t far from the corpse of Gong Tianyu that the space slowly, very slowly, split.

This time, it was noticeably smaller.

Beyond it, red eyes moved restlessly.

It seemed like they were spying on something or searching for something.

“Hicking… glyph… not here? there shouldn’t be one.”

The childish voice from beyond the hole sounded somewhat excited.

Rolling its eyes for a while, the monster suddenly thrust its hand through the narrow gap.

Once, twice, and several more times.

The monster’s hand groped its way forward accurately over the ruinous marble floor.

Eventually, the hand stopped over Gong Tianyu’s corpse.

The hand moved up from the waist, along the torso, and grasped the hair precisely.

Swish, swish.

Immediately, the body started to be dragged towards the hole.

In its wake, red marks remained on the marble.

The hand dragging the corpse vanished beyond the cracked space.

Soon after, as the head of the corpse was about to follow through, it got stuck at the forehead.

The gap in the cracking space was too small.

“Hick? What to do?”

If it makes it any bigger, they’ll get caught, murmured the same youthful voice.

After a moment, as if someone grabbed tightly from inside, gong Tianyu’s body jerked.

And then, pong.

With a sound reminiscent of popping a cork, gong Tianyu’s head disappeared into the hole.

Immediately after, with a tearing sound, the skin ripped and the body lay limp.

As the cracked space closed up, all that remained was the body without a head.

* * *

After sharing information with Lily earlier, I changed clothes and wiped off the blood clinging to me.

Thanks to this, there was no problem walking through the street after leaving the apartment.

I traveled openly, without using Invisibility.

While strolling through the late-night city, emptied of people, my mind was tangled with thoughts.

Among the swirling thoughts was the persistent issue of Cratoll.

‘In the heart of a metropolis, they blatantly used monsters to manufacture drugs.’

Using children around the age of ten to do it.

A distressingly uneasy matter, akin to indigestion.

Problems related to Cratoll hadn’t happened only in Beijing.

Throughout the past month, incidents erupted several times in Mexico and South America.

Multiple times the drugs spread throughout the markets.

‘Even if the Sniper and Eisa focused solely on bounty hunting, we couldn’t completely prevent it.’

– Sniper: It looks like we missed some shipments. The news in Mexico is broadcasting footage of users.

– Sniper: It looks like a new cartel has emerged in Colombia.

– Sniper: How did these bastards grow so big?

The messages from the Sniper continued to pile up, each bringing more conjectures.

‘There was talk of it being a plague and even end-of-the-world predictions.’

Beyond Cratoll, many incidents caused by players occurred.

Some remained online even now, posted on various video platforms.

Tales of aliens, supernatural phenomena, with strange titles.

Fortunately, most moments of attention quickly faded below the surface.

The countries where these events occurred covered them up with political or entertainment issues.

World leaders did not want this game to be disclosed.

Sauntering down an empty alley, I continued my contemplation.

‘Of course, they couldn’t announce that Earth was under attack by some unknown external force.’

Saying it would instantly result in chaos worldwide.

‘No country could handle the social disorder and problems that would erupt if the truth were revealed.’

The emergence of all sorts of cults would be trivial. If end-of-the-world theories took root, riots, protests, and looting would ensue.

‘Crime rates would skyrocket.’

Crowds don’t move according to rational, logical thought.

If one person panics and bolts out of the herd, others, fearful of being left to die, would follow suit.

Anxiety about tomorrow numbs patience, and the illusion that today could be the last fuels impulsiveness.

Thus, predicting this reaction, political circles worldwide collectively exercised control over information concerning this game.

‘In this case, truly a masterful coordination.’

I let out a profound sigh, heavy with frustration.

“Hoo.”

As if waiting for that moment, a stranger’s voice echoed.

“Hey, K.”

I wasn’t particularly startled.

‘He seems to have tried to hide his presence…….’

That wasn’t a meaningful effort unless Invisibility magic was used.

Thanks to that, I had already detected the presence before he spoke.

Sure enough, as I turned around, I saw a man approaching me.

He appeared to be in his early or mid-thirties.

‘A relief he showed up.’

It was gratifying that he approached without using Stealth or Invisibility, just strolling instead.

“Have you concluded your business?”

His friendly countenance aligned perfectly with his words, indicating he was Korean.

As expected, confirming it once more made the corners of my mouth twist unconsciously.

‘Initially, I intended to avoid any encounter.’

But my mind changed on the ship over to China.

Kim Yul’s words continued to bother me.

‘He said the atmosphere in the newly established unit didn’t seem good.’

That thought nagged me persistently, prompting me not to let it slide and deliberately create an opportunity to approach.

And this person moved precisely according to my intentions, almost exasperatingly so.

Given this, I felt no anxiety toward the enigmatic figure targeting me.

Facing a player of his level, feeling intimidated would cheapen the time and effort I invested.

I wasn’t anxious, if anything, I was irritated.

‘I’m busy as it is.’

If you were going to strike, you should have moved faster.

It had been 10 minutes since I entered the alley.

‘Uselessly slow.’

I cast an annoyed look at the lethargic intruder.

Regardless, the leisurely whether one began uttering what he came to say.

“Aren’t you going to answer? No matter, I suppose. If things weren’t resolved, you wouldn’t be here, right?”

As I maintained my silence, the man, drawing closer, extended his hand.

“Shall I introduce myself first? I’m Kim Muwon, recently appointed to National Defense…….”

“Just cut to the chase and attack.”

Without waiting for him to finish, I interrupted.

“What……?”

Kim Muwon’s puzzled response drew a sharp retort from my furrowing brow.

“Are you deaf? Skip the introductions and get to the main point.”

Conveying clearly that I had no time to spare for someone like him, an ugly grin spread across Kim Muwon’s face.

“Huh, heard you were a mouthy brat.”

The audacity was astounding.

‘Where does he, who speaks informally to a stranger, talk about manners?’

Undoubtedly, he came ready to risk killing me.

And yet he brings up decency?

I couldn’t claim it proudly, but I held a peculiar talent in the art of provocation.

Rather than tolerating it quietly, I chose to strike back with glee.

“We both lack manners equally. Why are you jabbering instead of attacking? Are you scared? If you don’t come, I’ll just go over.”

Gnashing his teeth, Kim Muwon lightly waved his hand in the air.

A dagger emerged in sync with that motion.

It would have been better if he had stopped at that.

But he reversed his grip on the dagger, striking a pose in the air.

“Arrogant fool, begging for mercy later will be useless.”

Witnessing him raise the dagger above his head with his empty hand extended forward, left me speechless for a moment.

Not from tension, but from sheer shock.

‘……both sides of your ribs are exposed.’

A thousand bouts of dueling experience whispered to me that driving a dagger into that fool’s ribcage and splitting it would end this in five seconds.

How could one adopt such a sloppy, strange stance?

‘Is this a trap to induce overconfidence?’

Judging from the reverse grip, it seemed strange to think of it that way.

If I struck his wrist, the dagger seemed liable to tumble away instantly.

A brief blink of confusion was followed by a realization that dispelled surprise.

‘Of course.’

The one who sent Kim Muwon was undoubtedly Brigadier General Kim Jonghwa or someone from that faction.

How remarkable could someone filling the errand boy role for officers lacking reality grasp be?

I sighed deeply, taking a stable stance.

No need to draw a weapon.

Being in a narrow alley, even wielding a spear was cumbersome.

To fight an opponent unworthy of the Brata Dagger Technique, not to mention the practical dagger techniques learned in the early days of this game.

“I’ll show you the bitterness of life!”

The fool widened his eyes, rushing at me as soon as I raised my guard.

Around two minutes later.

“Pea…… please… please spare…….”

Kim Muwon, his front teeth knocked out and his left cheek twice its usual size, was reduced to head-butting the cement floor in an involuntary half-bow.

Though a Gold rank, he had no solid basics, allowing me to exploit his openings and pummel him easily.

‘Naive, naive.’

Using Kim Muwon like a punching bag offered some stress relief.

Unintentional as it was, my mind felt clearly sharper now.

As the posture of Kim Muwon slackened, he appeared unable to bear his body weight from a ruptured abdominal muscle.

But it was none of my concern.

“Straighten your waist.”

“Y-yes, sir!”

Chilled by my admonition, Kim Muwon restored his posture with difficulty.

While Kim Muwon struggled to maintain the half-bow stance, I leisurely gathered my thoughts.

‘If I kill him, they’d send someone else next.’

It seemed Brigadier General Kim Jonghwa or his faction didn’t properly grasp my initial warning.

This outcome wasn’t unexpected.

Without experiences leading to enlightenment, some people from that stratum simply do not perceive properly.

‘No other way.’

To prevent more troublesome interference preemptively, I had no choice but to act personally.

“Up.”

“Y-yes, sir!”

Showing a strict salute, Kim Muwon sniffled.

Not only snot but blood, spit, and tears mingled messily on his face.

I heaved a sigh seeing his tumult state.

This caused Kim Muwon’s shoulders to droop further in resignation.

‘He’s absorbed a lot of unnecessary pretense and arrogance.’

Nevertheless, he reached the fourth level in Water-based advanced attributes, remarkably Sulfuric Acid.

Earlier, I had checked it thoroughly upon commanding him to open the status window.

Revamping his mindset would allow him to be reused.

‘I’m not considering sending Yul back…….’

Using this opportunity, establishing a pawn in the government to move according to my inclinations isn’t a bad idea.

“Here’s how you survive.”

“Yes, yes, sir!”

“Strip.”

“…… Pardon?”

I pulled out a phone I took from Choi Seongwu, ignoring Kim Muwon’s bewildered voice.

Damned System

TL’s Corner:

Some big players are appearing, and I’m not talking about Muwon. I meant the red eyed monster.