Chapter 212

Chapter 212. Inheritance (4)

「According to Palao’s arrangement, the entry of the Inheritance candidate is permitted.」

「We prepare the most suitable trial for the inheritance candidate.」

When I opened my eyes again, there was an unfamiliar sentence added to the message window.

Everything around me was white.

At first, I thought it was a space created by the System.

However, just by turning my head a few times, I quickly realized that wasn’t the case.

“A temple…”

The walls, pillars, and even the floor tiles…

Every structure was identical to the prayer room I visited when I received blessings during the entry exam or additional awakenings.

It felt like that place had been massively expanded.

It was a space as wide as if six or seven soccer fields were connected together.

And at the center was a gigantic statue proudly standing.

“Palao…”

Lying on the cold floor, looking up at the statue of Palao, I sat up.

I began to trace back the events that had led me here.

Just moments ago, the place where I was standing with Gilenios seemed to be the one I had seen when using the authority of Meferoseta in the past.

The place from the glimpses of the future where Gilenios had carried me.

‘I wasn’t completely clueless.’

To be precise, I knowingly walked into it.

The bait shaken by Karlos, Gilenios, and Gretman was just too enticing.

“Divinity…”

When I used the authority of Meferoseta for the second time, witnessing the kidnapping scene, many things were different.

Most of the images were blurry, and the headache was strangely intense.

But, I clearly saw it. The message that I absorbed divinity.

That message had appeared in the transparent system window right behind that enormous statue of Palao.

‘It wasn’t a coincidence seeing such a future when divinity was needed.’

Karlos had used Meferoseta’s authority to bait me into tailing Gretman with something I couldn’t resist.

It seemed like the time he spoke about in the past was now.

Thus, I gladly took the bait.

‘Having divinity would make game updates or the development of the Order proceed more smoothly.’

It would also provide a means to counter the extraordinary beings that might target me anytime, anywhere.

Of course, I would have to offer the divinity to the System.

But, for my safety, I can make such an investment.

Even without that, in the face of the next goal of achieving the Platinum rank, it might serve as a valuable variable given the stagnant growth rate.

Based on my experiences so far, having divinity is a hundred times better than not having it.

No, it’s something I must obtain, even if I have to endure certain risks.

So, determined to do my best, I followed Gretman.

‘I suppose I’ll have to wait a bit.’

Judging by the remaining sentences in the message window and the blinking dot at the bottom of my vision, it seemed like there was some preparation needed to start this so-called trial.

Realizing there were no urgent matters at the moment, I took out a pocket watch from my pocket.

I intended to check how much time had passed since I lost consciousness.

“……”

However, the second hand of the pocket watch wasn’t moving at all.

‘I’ll have to check the community.’

It was a bit troublesome, but by posting a new message, I could compare the update time with previous posts.

I tapped the community icon, as always, located on the side of my vision.

But what greeted me was an entirely new white screen.

“……”

A pure white page with no text at all, like a blank page that appears when the internet disconnects.

I tried pressing other icons just in case.

The shop wouldn’t open, the status window wouldn’t pop up, and I couldn’t access the Order’s community either.

I couldn’t even retrieve items from the inventory.

‘I can turn the message window on and off without any issue.’

It seemed all other functions were completely inactive.

It appeared everything I could actively do was blocked.

“Sigh.”

In a situation where all communication with the outside was cut off, and without any visible doors or windows, I was completely trapped here.

‘Even if there were a way out, I wouldn’t leave.’

With a clear purpose of securing divinity, I wasn’t going to walk out on my own.

I glanced around briefly before moving on.

I decided to inspect this space reminiscent of a temple or a prayer room.

Yet, after examining the center, which housed the statue, and even along the edges, I concluded that it was all in vain.

Everything here was identical as if stamped from the same mold.

Having nothing left to do, I returned to the side of the statue once more.

‘Let’s train.’

With nothing else on my agenda, focusing on mana training seemed like a good idea.

I still hadn’t advanced to the Mana Domination phase, and there was a sense of urgency.

‘If I buy it from the shop, I should be able to advance easily.’

With the mana I currently have, I could afford the 500 million worth of Mana Domination and still have plenty left.

Moreover, having mastered Mana Control to 100%, I could even get a discount.

But, from my experience till now, it seemed like too reckless a move.

‘The rate of magic implementation differs immediately.’

Those who advanced to control by purchasing Mana Manipulation struggled immensely in manifesting magic.

‘The average takes minutes.’

Worse yet, it’s extremely rare for those records to be shortened.

On the other hand, those who have unlocked Mana Manipulation on their own, like Ethan, Kim Yul, Yang Hyewon, and myself, showed a completely different progress.

Even if initially they faced difficulty, they could gradually shorten the implementation time.

On an actual battlefield where many lives were at stake, this difference was crucial in determining combat capability.

Knowing this apparent contrast, I desired to achieve Mana Domination with my own strength.

‘Even if it takes time, I must walk with my own feet.’

I must not get used to walking with the help of other people’s power.

Seated next to the statue of Palao, I began mana training immediately.

After a few hours passed, suddenly there was a beep, a sound close to an electronic tone.

When I opened my eyes, the previously blinking dot at the bottom of my view had changed into a number.

‘Zero percent.’

Keeping my eyes unwavering on the number, it took about ten minutes for it to increase by 1%.

‘It might not take as long as I thought.’

I refocused on mana training and continued to wait for the right moment.

* * *

Inside the Loborre Fortress, there was a three-story stone building used as a base by the Hamas Clan.

Now, with the main scenario of Chapter 6 concluded, clan Leader Mayak roared a thunderous outburst in that place.

“Damn it, you claim to wear the Gold rank?! Aren’t you ashamed of getting beaten without even a single counterattack?!”

Smack, smack!

“Why don’t you just become a punching bag, huh?!”

Mayak’s outburst was accompanied by the sound of slapping a cheek.

Unable to restrain himself any longer, a man shouted back.

“Why are you yelling at me?! That bastard suddenly picked a fight!”

It was Samazal, the player who had been beaten unilaterally by K a few days ago.

He had to pay dearly for catching K’s attention with an irritable topic during a sensitive time.

Reports of the incident spread throughout the community, publicly humiliating him.

His codename, real name, and even his usual behavior within the Hamas Clan quickly became known.

Upon reflection, it was inevitable.

Samazal frequently belittled players with common mana while boasting about his attribute mana.

Though it was his clan members who suffered direct harm, other players who shared the corrupted area had also heard his foul words.

And among players, the proportion of those possessing attribute mana wasn’t very high.

Even generously estimated, it would be around 30%.

As the number of players grew, the proportion of those who manifested attribute mana continued to diminish.

In such circumstances, having consistently mocked common mana holders, he had essentially made enemies with every step.

Thanks to him, the Hamas Clan was swiftly labeled as a den for delinquents.

Players not of Saudi Arabian nationality even began to leave the clan one by one.

All this transpired in merely a few days.

Consequently, Samazal’s brother, Mayak, was at his boiling point.

And now, the very person responsible for igniting this chain of events was snapping back defiantly, driving him to a breaking point.

“Shut up!”

With a scarlet face, Mayak harshly kicked Samazal.

The sudden kick sent Samazal sprawling backward.

“You, because of you, huh?!”

Thud, thud, thud.

Mayak continued to kick him.

“I can’t even show my face in front of other clan leaders!”

Mayak’s rage wasn’t just about humiliation or a sense of disgrace.

The root of it lay in the fact that the issue had reached the ears of Saudi Arabia’s royal family.

‘I still need to be wary of those guys.’

Royal support was crucial for growing the clan and managing players effectively.

It was faster to solve practical issues and financial problems with their backing.

However, it wasn’t yet the time when the royal family truly comprehended the need for players.

The day when holes would open, and managing the nation without players would become unimaginable was yet in the future.

Until then, it was wise to remain subdued.

‘I had planned to make them kneel and beg to destroy messeo and block the holes.’

Going further, Mayak’s ultimate goal was to have Saudi Arabia kneel beneath his feet and rule over it.

Yet, his own kin had tainted that grand plan with filth.

Mayak had endured all sorts of humiliations from the royal family over this incident.

From derogatory remarks about genetics to accusations questioning his capability to lead the Hamas Clan, representing Saudi Arabia.

‘Those bastards, whom I could crush with a mere gesture, dared…’

Just thinking about what he had endured a few hours ago induced a dizzying fury.

Mayak vented all that emotion onto Samazal.

“Don’t even dream of showing your face in Bihar anytime soon!”

Kicking Samazal once more, Mayak turned back towards the desk with an outburst. He then gulped down a bottle of liquor he brought from Earth.

After emptying the bottle at once, Mayak pressed his temples, screaming from the pounding headache.

“If you understand, get out!”

Looking genuinely aggrieved, Samazal hung his head and stomped out of the office.

“What nerve…”

Mayak’s anger flared again at the insolence, making him throw the empty bottle in his hand at the closed door.

Crash!

The glass shattered, splitting into pieces and scattering all over.

Still restless, Mayak proceeded to smash furniture in the room.

After venting for quite a while, enough sanity returned to him to think clearly.

‘If I stay idle, we’ll become a laughingstock.’

Failing to respond appropriately could lead to the carefully cultivated clan splitting apart.

The possibility of the royal support veering elsewhere couldn’t be ignored.

Yet confronting K with a duel or any public means of retribution carried its own risks.

‘Push it the wrong way, and it’ll backfire.’

K was an exceptionally renowned individual in the player world.

‘No, it’s fair to say he’s the most famous.’

With a belligerent disposition, a powerful Level 5 attribute, outstanding combat prowess, keen intellect, and swift actions.

He was assessed as a versatile player equipped with all elements necessary for success.

Among such various strengths, there was one more trait valued by clan leaders and influential figures working with governments.

‘He has a wide network.’

K was either acquainted with, in friendly terms, or a cooperative partner or friend with many significant figures within the player world.

Among those occupying notable positions, there were few whom K had poor relations with.

Even adversaries, separated and left alone with K, wouldn’t cause trouble interacting with him.

‘I’ve heard he has an information line somewhere.’

Hence, it required prudence.

Damned System