Chapter 258

Chapter 258. Reunion and Infiltration(1)

I returned home immediately after the press conference.

While it was understandable if you were under protective observation by the National Intelligence Service, a lot of players were exposed to the public due to this incident.

Therefore, it became impossible for the National Intelligence Service to monitor everyone’s safety, and most were only checked for personal information by the police before being sent home.

Thanks to that, I could start a quiet conversation with the system in my room.

“Explain what’s going on. Are the irregular entities crossing over?”

〈〉

An irregular entity, kaklein, began indiscriminately piercing holes.

So, the existing enemy, angramoti, was left to the apostle of Karlos, and I attempted to stop Kaklein.

However, I was immobilized for a while due to a surprise attack from Omby who borrowed Kaklein’s power.

Fortunately, kaklein was neutralized, and the holes were closed. No irregular entity has yet entered Earth.

“… What about the additional recruitment planned for the fall?”

〈〉

Impossible. The existing reserves of divinity we were gathering were used up in this incident. It will take about half a year more to conduct additional recruitment.

“What about revising the current program?”

“In such a case, could players be recruited additionally?”

“For instance, by taking away some features as a method.”

〈〉

The number of recruits will vary depending on what features are taken away and how the divinity is converted.

“… How much more can be recruited if the community, auction, and inventory features are taken away?”

〈〉

Reducing the functionality would require less divinity for new recruitment. However, recovering these features will diminish convenience for the players.

“Are we going to wage war while worrying about convenience?! If they’re certain to cross over eventually, we need to prepare even by squeezing resources to the limit!”

“Community and auctions can be sufficiently set up through Earth’s civilization. The inventory can also be partially supported.”

“Therefore, retract the features I mentioned and proceed with the fourth recruitment!”

〈〉

After consideration, your argument is valid. We will prepare additional updates. Do you need a grace period like before?

“One week.”

〈〉

Understood. We will proceed with the update in one week.

“And one more thing.”

〈〉

Please go ahead, player Kang Hyunwoo.

“You said Alpha is a privilege given only to the first rank? The scope of that privilege needs to expand.”

“In the current situation, fighting against the pathogens is too arduous.”

“We need to either increase the number of Alphas or create those who can only perform purification, and we must proceed with one of them.”

〈〉

In the latter case, revising the entire program would consume too much divinity. On the other hand, increasing the number of Alphas is possible, but it will reduce the number of Delta recruits.

“How much for each additional Alpha?”

〈〉

For each additional Alpha, approximately 1 million Deltas must be forfeited.

“… Proceed with that too. Create at least three additional Alphas.”

〈〉

There’s no guarantee they will overcome all hardships like Player Kang Hyunwoo.

“Are you just going to sit back? In this state, it will only get more strenuous!”

“We’ve already agreed that once they pass the promotion test, the association will actively protect and educate them, so proceed without argument!”

“Reclaim program features and use half of my divinity. How many more can be recruited?”

〈〉

By infusing about half of Player Kang Hyunwoo’s divinity to assign three Alphas, up to 10 million Deltas can be recruited.

“Prepare immediately without delay.”

〈〉

Yes, understood.

And here, I would like to express gratitude to Player Kang Hyunwoo for his efforts for Earth’s safety above all else….

I turned off the system message without reading it all.

It talked sweet and polite while I had just answered to sacrifice ten million people.

I didn’t want to see its pretentious façade.

As soon as the conversation ended, the white space collapsed.

“It’s about half the usual…”

Compared to the last two conversations, the duration was noticeably reduced.

However, I covered the urgent issues within that short time.

Now it’s time to take the next step.

“Hu…”

With a weary heart, I let out a deep breath and opened the chat window.

Since the situation was about to change, those who could respond should get the opportunity to do so.

– K: The community, auction, and inventory features will be closed soon. You probably felt it with the recent nemesis-rank in the report, I recommend creating a Platinum rank player before the auction feature disappears completely.

Many probably realized this when the news came that Lily hunted a nemesis-rank.

She transferred mana through the auction function.

Thus, many probably stored this issue in their hearts.

But it would have been hard to speak out recklessly.

It might have seemed as if they were trying to take away the mana of those fighting alongside them.

But if opportunities were limited, and if not now, then never.

The voices mentioning mana transfers will grow.

To be honest, I wasn’t too pleased about eliminating the auction feature.

‘The auction is the only function that allows mana transfer without the process of killing.’

Thanks to the auction feature, even I was able to become Platinum rank.

But maintaining the auction feature for qualitative growth isn’t the best move.

Failing to adapt may lead to self-destruction due to the lack of manpower later on.

‘I need to maintain a good balance.’

While more players are certainly needed, excellent Platinum rank players are as well.

‘Lily handled the nemesis-rank in the UK, and I handled the one in India.’

It became evident that without Platinum ranks, gold ranks could not capture nemesis-rank, no matter how many attacked.

Thus, it was a serious warning.

Encourage mana to be gathered for someone while the auction feature lasts.

‘It probably won’t easily reach a conclusion.’

Since I informed them this was the last chance, they needed to make decisions somehow.

‘If they miss the opportunity without reaching an agreement, that’s it for them.’

I also contacted Kamal from the Hamas clan and La Wian from China before closing the chat window.

I took a moment to organize my thoughts.

‘The hole is closed.’

The monsters that had crossed to Earth were all killed.

The Player Association officially revealed itself.

Thus, the unresolved matters that were stirring beneath will be gradually wrapped up.

Only one task remained on Earth.

I gathered my clothes and opened the door.

At that, the twins, who were fiddling with a smartphone in the living room, abruptly stood up.

“Where are you going?”

“You’re not going to do something dangerous, right? I want to go with you too, brother!”

During the press conference, I quietly departed before the twins awoke, allowing me to sneak out smoothly.

So they had to see my face through the news.

‘Not that I don’t feel guilty.’

But even if I was to return to the past, I’d make the same choice.

This time, however, such tricks wouldn’t work, so I’d have to face it head-on.

Honestly, I didn’t intend to leave the twins behind this time.

“Okay, go get ready to go out.”

“Huh?”

Indeed, the twins seemed to still be shaken by recent events.

They’d forgotten what today was about.

“We need to visit the columbarium.”

“Oh no!”

Yes, today was our parents’ memorial day.

I reminded the twins and briefly added,

“I’m not going to disappear like I did in the morning, so go get ready for an outing.”

After visiting our parents together, I’d have to prepare once more to head to Biharin.

* * *

Rivan was out strolling near the temple with Hemar.

Hemar, once a high priest of nearly 100 years who led and watched over the temple of Habon, now appeared noticeably emaciated over the past year.

He lived longer than others with the God’s strength, but everyone knew his time was near.

“It’s already autumn.”

“I know. The sweltering days are much lighter now, aren’t they?”

“Indeed… I wonder if I’ll be able to see the turn of the year…”

“Please don’t say such things!”

But whenever Hemar said such words, Rivan’s heart trembled.

Hemar was the one who took him in and cared for him when he was merely an orphan.

“What good does it do to ignore the reality before us? Prepare yourself gradually.”

With Hemar’s repeated words, Rivan closed his mouth instead of replying.

To him, Hemar was not just a father but also a teacher.

Letting go of someone like that couldn’t be easy.

He tried his best to live as if none of it affected him, knowing Hemar’s inevitable end was nigh.

During a pause in their relatively comfortable silence,

“The outsiders… seem to be coming again.”

At Hemar’s words, Rivan, who had been looking at the ground, raised his head.

Indeed, outsiders were visible inside the temple.

Since their sudden departure about a week ago, few had been seen.

“I wonder if the matter has been resolved…”

Rivan observed Hemar’s slightly wistful expression.

‘Does the High Priest Hemar worry about the outsiders leaving as well?’

In the past days, rumors spread that monsters appeared in the homeland of the outsiders too.

As a result, everyone was left worrying that they might leave for good.

If they left, the order’s forces couldn’t push back the front lines on their own.

Keeping the stalemated front line, like in the past, was the most they could hope for.

‘Recently, there have been many outstanding knights and mages among the outsiders…’

What would happen to those left here if all of them returned to their world?

Should they not try to stop them from leaving?

But then, who would protect the outsiders’ world?

Asking himself, Rivan swallowed a gulp.

Just in time, he noticed someone walking from the direction of the Palao temple.

“K!”

It was K, who had come over to Habon using the temple’s portal.

K in his original form, without changing his appearance through a device.

“You’ve returned!”

Rivan, in his joy, trotted over to him before stopping short.

Then he turned back to escort Hemar.

K, too, had stopped upon seeing them.

The two approached him slowly, exchanging greetings and pleasantries.

“It’s been a while, K.”

“I heard there was an accident back in your hometown. Is it resolved? How are things? Were many harmed? They are preparing potions at the Order and will send them to the association! Although I can’t help directly, at least this…”

Enthusiastically sharing his thoughts, Rivan’s words trailed off.

K gazed steadily at him and Hemar without a word.

Today, something was different about K.

The atmosphere felt heavy and intricate, accompanied by silence.

“Umm…”

Struggling with that silence, Rivan’s eyes flitted around.

Stepping in for Rivan, Hemar added,

“Were we holding up someone busy? Please, go ahead.”

Hardly had Hemar’s words ended when K departed.

* * *

Originally, I had a mission grace period until the next morning.

So, I planned to spend time with the twins.

Uncharacteristically, I aimed to reduce their worries by explaining how extraordinary I was.

But after reading the comments on the religious order’s website, I changed my mind.

– Rashar Bennet: It is said that the opinion that the gate should be closed came out from Shelver, the highest priest of Meferoseta. They seem intent on keeping you there. Stay cautious.

– Rashar Bennet: And… I offer my condolences for what happened in your homeland.

Where the Order of Senoa had Gallonic Hogue and the Order of Agnotia had Raytan Protoram,

‘Meferoseta had Shelver Vilkzion.’

They were individuals representing the radicals in their respective orders.

I had already gotten rid of the previous two, and I planned to deal with this Shelver guy soon.

But first, there was one thing I absolutely needed to do.

“I need to meet Irel.”