Chapter 211

Chapter 211. Inheritance (3)

In a world where causality exists, an ordinary beast would have no need to acquire knowledge of quantum mechanics.

Therefore, they simply do not have the intelligence to comprehend that knowledge.

Similarly, an ordinary human doesn’t need to know about beings that fall outside the norm. Even if someone told them to their face, they wouldn’t understand.

“Is it because they wouldn’t have the power to defy such existence, even if they knew?”

I felt as though I had glimpsed a little of the essence of causality.

“A framework, limits, rules… something along those lines.”

I had heard similar words when I first conversed with the Damned System. It suggested that causality was a very old rule, the origins of which were unknown.

Was it because of this concept of causality that Gretman didn’t explain in detail about those beings who existed outside the norm?

‘Because even if explained, I wouldn’t be able to comprehend it at my level.’

It felt as though the journey ahead had suddenly become longer and more daunting. Nevertheless, I didn’t slow my pace as I followed Gretman.

Feeling overwhelmed wasn’t a valid reason to give up and stop; the finish line was a reward only for those who refuse easy solutions and persevere relentlessly.

I steeled my heart once more and responded to messages received through the chat window.

Just then, someone who had been sending private messages instead of chatting publicly caught my attention.

「A message has arrived from Codename Sniper.」

I instantly opened the private chat window with Sniper. The contents of the message were simple.

– Sniper: Why not just come over to Earth instead of sending strange messages? Either replenish our numbers or come to support, one or the other.

Both Ethan and I had been focusing heavily on the main scenario.

Hence, our efforts were largely confined to Bihar, catching new bounty targets whenever they were updated.

Even then, as the association began to suppress murders, work had dwindled significantly, and Ethan was taking on more of the burden than I was.

Meanwhile, Sniper was dealing with issues related to Cratoll and troublesome players on Earth.

He has been primarily focusing on collecting random boxes, so it was an expected outcome.

Of course, Eisa, who was familiar with the realities of drug cartels, was assisting him.

‘Most of the additional bounty hunters are on Earth anyway.’

And yet, if he needed support…

– K : For now, try asking the U. S. to support general players.

– Sniper: Is it okay to just increase the number of those who aren’t bounty hunters? What if they catch on to the map scheme?

– K : It doesn’t seem like the time to worry about such matters. Perhaps it might be better to leak some information and get official activity permits from the association.

– K : The final decision is yours as the person in charge of the field.

– Sniper: Hmm… I’ll think about it. For now, I’ll rotate the ones I’ve connected through the CIA or FBI, so know that I’ll figure it out that way.

– Sniper: But it’s only temporary. Please increase the personnel as soon as possible. The number of new recruits is growing exponentially after the third selection round.

If Sniper’s words were right, the number would almost reach 30.

‘And yet, they’re having trouble keeping up with what’s being produced now…’

Once drugs reach the market, it becomes nearly impossible to intervene. If the drug reaches the consumers, it’s the last stage of the transaction.

Leaving it to the individual’s choice is a lazy and foolish approach; not everyone in the world possesses strict self-control.

‘We must cut off access entirely from the first distribution point before they hit the market.’

That’s the most efficient prevention tactic.

Given the situation, I should request an increase in the number of bounty hunters once we secure new divinity.

‘If they are to move as an association task force in the future, they’ll need to be recruited diligently.’

The ultimate goal was to turn bounty hunters into a policing force, akin to law enforcement, among players.

They would have excellent authority to hunt down killers or those exploiting holes behind the scenes.

Ethan would handle murders or issues among civilians, while Sniper would handle drug and monster-related cases.

I had already planned out who would take responsibility in the future.

– K : Hold out just a little longer. I’ll supplement the numbers as soon as possible.

– Sniper: I will do my best to endure, but take it seriously and hurry.

I sighed deeply while nodding in agreement.

‘I will have to hand over bounty hunter selection authority to Sniper soon enough.’

It was inefficient for me to remain entangled in this issue. With Sniper and Eisa fully acclimated to the work, it seemed like it was time to shift responsibilities.

“Oh, right.”

Come to think of it, now that the sixth scenario had ended, it was becoming time to add order-exclusive missions.

Rumors were already settled about Palao providing significant loot to players through order-exclusive missions.

‘Sustaining this will increase the entrance rate of players by the fourth and fifth selection rounds.’

As applicants swell, the probability of finding talents grows. A surge in skilled players naturally amplifies the order’s influence.

I organized the additional system-recommended missions and sent them to Jordan.

‘Next is…’

And in the blink of an eye, the atmosphere changed suddenly.

*gasp*

I inadvertently inhaled sharply and came to a halt.

The densely wooded northern forest, not letting in even a speck of light, felt out of place.

Though the weather forecasted heavy rains, the ground was parched and no raindrops fell.

Even my clothes and body—soaked in rain moments before—felt dry, as if by magic.

“What is this…”

For a moment, I was caught off guard by the situation defying logic. But my brows rose sharply as I soon found someone standing idly not far away.

“What took you so long?!”

Standing on one leg with arms crossed, Gilenios shouted irritably.

While I focused on him, Gretman turned his back, offering not a word in reply. His role apparently concluded, he walked off into the rain without hesitation.

“Well.”

Their teamwork was impressive.

I shook my head in disbelief as I surveyed the scene surrounding Gilenios. Just a short distance from a player’s outpost set up on the outskirts of a corrupted area.

Amid a thickly wooded forest, I noticed partially destroyed barriers and the debris of collapsed buildings.

“This explains why things felt odd…”

I recognized this place.

“What are you mumbling about?”

As I looked around, Gilenios beckoned me over with a finger.

“I can’t move from here, so come to me.”

What was about to unfold was crystal clear to me.

With a snort, I walked toward Gilenios.

“Why are you so compliant today?”

“If you want, I can act suspiciously paranoid again.”

“Wow, how can listening to just words be so dreadful?”

Though Gilenios mocked, he kept glancing around warily, clearly on guard against something, so I told him.

“If it’s the Vanguard, Gretman just drove them off.”

The system had detected the approach, which meant it would observe me and prevent additional approaches for the time being.

For now, things should be safe. However, Gilenios wasn’t just fretting over those existing outside the norms.

“How do you know that again? I’m worried not about him, but about the woman desperate to find you. So let’s hurry it up.”

His words prompted a lot of reflection.

‘Is he possibly referring to one of the Seven Great Gods?’

Among them, there were three feminine ones, including Palao, Finelpenia, and Agnotia.

If one of them were watching me…

“Agnotia?”

“Wow, you guessed right off the bat? Something must have happened already?”

“Well, sort of. But what do you mean by her looking for me? Sounds like she can’t see me right now.”

“This place was made for that purpose. If she finds out where we’re taking you, she’ll surely chase after. We can’t let that happen. If we lose you, we’re all doomed. That’s why we’ve hidden you in this space, and why I can’t move around to maintain it. I’m not yet at a high enough level to do otherwise. Got it?”

For whatever reason, Gilenios was cooperating far more compliantly than last time.

Even though his manner was overall annoying, I was grateful for the information.

“She was definitely watching while you were on your way here. Like a voyeur.”

*sigh*

A sigh escaped me naturally hearing his continued words.

“Another like the System and Karlos…”

I couldn’t fathom why so many twisted beings were keen on observing me.

“Come quickly if you get it already.”

He reached out with his hand as I approached.

His actions were reminiscent of our last encounter, making me smile wryly as I spoke.

“Treat it well, or I’ll have a fit if there’s even a scratch when I wake up.”

“Hmm… being so obedient, Meferoseta?”

He seemed to finally grasp why I was cooperating so readily.

“Why even ask when you already know?”

Ignoring his question, I took his hand.

The interface cracked around us, and my consciousness faded as my body crumbled.

“Hey, I still have…”

As I slumped to the ground, I faintly heard Gilenios’ annoyed voice, but before he could finish, my consciousness was completely severed.

* * *

“You can’t even let someone ask a question without sniping.”

No sooner had the complaint escaped his lips than K’s body slumped entirely.

Gilenios reached out to collect K’s limp form.

He initially intended to just grab him by the scruff and haul him up, but considering K’s last words nagged at him.

He had likely fallen out of favor since botching their first meeting.

If he haphazardly handled K and ended up scratching him, what then?

“He’d definitely throw a fit.”

Gilenios ultimately lowered himself to cradle K gently.

During this, K, whose eyes were closed as if lost in sleep, twitched.

It was truly astonishing.

“He’s moving?”

K was presently alive but not truly alive—merely existing.

In order to pass through the dimensional rift, it was unavoidable for K’s level.

Without the proper credentials to utilize the rift, one risked getting swept away and becoming lost.

Thus, Gilenios made K into something more akin to the clothes he wore.

Yet he was still moving in such a state?

“Such a finicky and sensitive guy.”

Of all the people, why choose someone so perceptive and suspicious?

Wouldn’t picking someone kind and docile have been better?

Grumbling inwardly, Gilenios carefully carried K.

And he ground his teeth, pondering the root of all this stress.

“He always leaves the shady stuff to me. Damn it. Do gods think they can just do anything?”

As he muttered, he heard an answer internally.

Gilenios frowned instantly and shouted.

“Who dumps everything on me while leisurely dallying over there?!”

A barrage of further aggravating words followed.

It was an ongoing pattern.

Under usual circumstances, he would spar with the voice until he vented, but there was no time for that just now.

There was a presence outside, pounding against the space created by Karlos’ authority.

“That bastard seriously…”

If he dallied further, the space might well shatter, prompting a sense of urgency in Gilenios.

Gilenios clenched his teeth and glanced above.

“It’s becoming more blatant.”

After suspicions arose concerning Palao’s disappearance, several gods had shown interest in her divinity.

Practically all except Senoa and Karlos had expressed such interest.

All had dispatched followers to seek traces of Palao, at least under the pretense of recovering what was hers.

However, Agnotia’s actions were distinct.

Overtly intent on absorbing divinity, her behavior exuded both obsession and madness.

Which was why this convoluted process was necessary to bring K to his destination.

They absolutely could not let Agnotia find out where they were headed.

If something went wrong en route, their single hope would shatter.

“I need to straighten this out quickly.”

Resolving to expedite matters and save time, Gilenios came to a conclusion.

Calling upon his allowed authority, he shouted.

“Enough, just zip it! We need to secure this guy, right?!”

Immediately, with K draped over him, his body dispersed like smoke, collapsing the space crafted by divinity.

As raindrops began to fill the void left behind, brushed over by a presence vast enough that ordinary people couldn’t perceive it.

And moments later,

Thud, crash, crack!

Mighty sounds resonated as nearby trees toppled over en masse.

The area was now a mess. It was as if someone had vented their fury.

Damned System

TL’s Corner:

There’s a chance that Agnotia is corrupted or he’s just greedy.