Chapter 284

Chapter 284. Withdrawal (3)

「Seizing the target’s status.」

「The Trait ‘Sapling of Divinity’ grows further.」

The hunt was successful.

With the death of the legion commander, the players pushed the remaining legion, and those like me, who had area-of-effect skills, bombarded with magic while replenishing ourselves with potions.

As a result, the massive monster legion, which exceeded ten million, was annihilated after 29 hours.

“Whew.”

After the battle ended, I wiped the black blood from my spear and swept my hair back.

I was a bit tired from constantly running since the start of the main Scenario and facing battles right afterward.

Fortunately, the combat power of the second legion commander I encountered wasn’t exceptionally formidable.

‘Instead, it was annoyingly troublesome.’

The commander had no clear form.

Not only were physical attacks challenging, but I also had to play a tiresome game of hide and seek.

‘I’d rather face someone who foolishly wielded brute strength.’

The legion commander this time had an authority that was irritating in many ways.

‘So Palao saw it today…’

Palao’s records reflected today’s chaos.

My first ordeal bore similarities to today’s chaos, and perhaps because of that, it was not a difficult battle for me.

Thus, I was able to swiftly kill the legion commander without any confusion.

However, things were different for most players other than me.

After the battle, a depressing atmosphere hung over the players’ camp.

Understanding too well the feeling of stabbing a dear one made me swallow a sigh.

‘Well, at least it ended within a day.’

If only the result mattered, their relatively swift escape from this situation was thanks to my prior struggles.

‘It seems the illustrious Palao wished to aid Earthlings too.’

I briefly twisted a mocking smile.

Surveying the blank-eyed individuals sitting around, I moved.

I aimed to converse with Lily, but she seemed preoccupied tending to the wounded and assessing the scale of damage.

Since there was no urgent issue, I decided to wait.

I needed to sort out the thoughts drifting in my mind.

The first thought that came to mind was the corpse of the second legion commander killed after a relentless chase.

I recalled the traits identified from his death.

‘There was no attribute mana stone.’

Upon reflection, the recent foe, as well as Hoel, never utilized magic either.

‘Hoel’s growing arm and body should be considered a racial trait.’

They had never used magic that involved arranging mana.

Much like normal monsters devoid of attribute mana.

‘It seems their attribute mana transformed into something else.’

Both monsters and players undergo ‘evolution’.

‘Will my authority evolve towards a blend of attribute mana and divinity?’

If so, how exactly does it differ from now?

Would I become unable to use magic once I possess authority like the legion commander?

‘If that’s true, it could drastically alter my combat capabilities.’

I figured it would be wise to secure more attribute mana while keeping that possibility in mind.

Methods were already in place; the only thing left was to ensure the plan’s execution.

Just as these thoughts lingered, a presence approached.

“K.”

It was Lily.

“Once the purification work is complete here, we will hunt the legion commander in the north and south, in that order. Contact the person in charge of that area.”

Neither Lily nor I questioned my directive to guide future directions.

The superiority gradually built since revealing myself as an Alpha had already solidified.

Though a new Alpha emerged in the fifth selection, it didn’t diminish my influence.

My worth wasn’t solely confined to purification.

“Then we will proceed to reclaim Callum Fortress.”

“With all portals destroyed, it’s futile even if we go.”

“If the Order installs a new portal…”

I interrupted Lily, shaking my head, confirming the empty air.

In fact, I was checking my status window’s trait section.

The Capitalism Trait was active there.

It had been consistently so from the moment I emerged from the ordeal to the present.

“Just return to Loborre. We’ll likely need to cross to Earth soon.”

“Excuse me?”

I paused before explaining the precise details.

“The Main Act 2 Scenario 2 began around the time I was nearly done clearing Hoel’s legion.”

It took five days to reach near Loborre from there, and during those five days, the System never left my side.

“The System’s constant presence signifies that Gilenios is alone guarding the first Gate.”

This also implies Gilenios, who must maintain the Gate, couldn’t move.

Furthermore, it indicated that contact between him and me had become impossible.

Faced with such an overt message, it was hard not to notice.

‘I suppose this is a warning from the System.’

The System knew I intended to save the Biharin.

It warned that any plans regarding Gilenios are monitored.

The System was signaling that it was aware of everything and urging to abandon the mission.

Given its constant surveillance as a form of oversight, it must have assumed…

‘Judging by how it gave the first Gate to Gilenios, it’s probably aware we plan to use it.’

Even when assigning the Gate to him, the System was confident that he couldn’t escape the entrapment of angramoti.

‘I didn’t overlook such a possibility.’

I was aware the concealment process was not flawless.

Thus, in a corner of my mind, I braced myself for the worst Scenario.

This warning alone wouldn’t be enough to halt my resolve.

‘If the System decided to abandon the Biharin, evacuating players will be its first priority.’

Due to the fifth selection, the number of players exceeded ten million.

Despite considerable losses from the Nightmare Week and this Scenario 2 Scene 2, the bolster from the ten-million legion also reflected on the players.

Not all were present in Biharin, but…

‘All men of that scale can’t return to Earth overnight.’

The System would undoubtedly reroute players back to Earth soon.

‘I should align my actions to signal this.’

Thus, I meticulously devised plans while rushing toward this place.

It’s time to share it with Lily.

With a deep breath to steady myself, I drew a Divine Canopy to conceal my conversation with Lily.

Simultaneously, I couldn’t help but frown deeply.

The System, usually silent during my evasive maneuvers, intervened this time.

I felt its vivid movements infiltrating my Divinity.

Realizing the limited time, I hurriedly spoke.

“I’ll explain the evacuation plan now, so take in everything.”

It took a mere two minutes to convey the plan I had painstakingly devised while heading to this place non-stop.

Once done, the System eventually shattered the Canopy, forcing me to halt my words.

Despite delivering all key points, I was slightly unnerved by the System’s eerie presence lingering around, expressing discontent.

‘Right, this thing is indeed a god.’

Mellowed by its soft approach until now, I had underestimated it.

The System, after all, stood alongside the origin of a dimension from the very beginning.

Realizing this made my hair stand on end with unnerving tension.

‘But I don’t plan to stop.’

Now, it would be fair to say the System and I was temporarily opposing entities with diverging aims.

The System intended to abandon the Biharin deemed ineffectual for war, while I intended to save them.

‘Let’s see who prevails.’

I had no intention of losing. Even if I had to overcome a god, giving up wasn’t an option.

* * *

Returning to Loborre with Lily contrary to the original plan, I moved south to Villea.

I received word of a legion commander being hunted in the north while returning to Loborre.

Having already caught the commander, I had to alter the plan, not needing to pursue them once more.

Fortunately, I could hunt a legion commander in the south.

The legion commander I encountered in Villea wielded black flames.

A blaze strong enough to devour even Pure Flame with ease.

The battle that ensued in its midst was fierce.

Both being flame-types under the scrutiny of causality posed a challenge.

‘But the hunt was successful.’

The hunt differed slightly from usual.

“You are exerting too much force.”

Throughout the hunt, remarks came, which I’d read as nagging.

“There’s too much tension throughout your body, causing your spear movements to become large.”

A sword clad in azure qi gave a light jab to my side.

“With such big movements, you end up revealing vulnerabilities like this.”

Gretmann appeared swiftly behind me just as I severed the legion commander’s throat.

He had trapped the commander’s feet before my arrival.

– What are you doing? Go on and finish it already?

– I saved my cherished gift for you, so be grateful.

Just enough to prevent any movement.

So, there was no fortune of just delivering a final blow and absorbing the stature like before.

I had to personally engage in the battle needed to kill the legion commander.

‘The nagging advice throughout was truly irritating.’

But since there was no aspect of his counsel to discard, I attentively listened.

Through it, I identified unconscious habits and issues such as excessively aggressive tactics like sacrificing flesh to gain bone.

“Your problem is striving excessively to give your best in every moment.”

Gretmann continued his words, tapping my arm with the sword back.

“Underestimating the enemy is foolish, but overestimating is pathetic.”

He was pointing out the excessive usage of mana and divinity against a near-dead commander.

Considering the un-restorative, consuming nature of divinity, it was advice that mustn’t be disregarded.

“Practice maintaining balance, neither lacking nor exceeding in measure.”

Indeed, bringing a tank to catch a fly was excessive.

Carved into my heart was the counsel from Gretmann, and I asked,

“… I’ll bear it in mind. Was there anything else concerning in my technique?”

I inquired, wondering about any technical errors separate from my habits or attitude.

“I see why Shamel said that.”

Gretmann uttered incomprehensible words before sheathing his sword.

“It’ll finish quietly compared to the north.”

Though the way he spouted unsolicited remarks was vexing,

‘I won’t get an answer even if I press.’

Sighing lightly, I diverted my gaze from Gretmann.

What met my eyes was a land engulfed in flames.

The fusion of divinity-touched Pure Flame and Black Fire engulfed the surroundings.

Beyond those flames, Villea Fortress engaged in a defensive battle against the remaining legion.

Yet neither I nor Gretmann worried about the fortress.

Horfe and other Beastfolk remained in the fortress.

Gretmann’s words indicated the south would resolve without substantial harm compared to the north.

That harm referred, obviously, to fatalities.

‘I heard there were many casualties in the north.’

Eighty percent of them were from the Order’s forces.

The players stationed in the north steered clear of head-on encounters with the commander following the Association’s directive.

Conversely, the Order’s forces, including Agnotia and Senoa, opted for an entirely different approach.

They marched outside the fortress to confront the commander.

‘Though they achieved their goal of capturing the commander.’

In return, the losses accounted for half of the north’s strength.

‘The Order seems to be downplaying the precise damage numbers.’

Considering the players present in that fortress, how could the damage not be estimated?

The situation appeared exceedingly ludicrous.

‘Suddenly inflated player numbers lead to pointless antics.’

Fearing losing power and control due to numerical inferiority, they were bound to act.

News of me capturing the commander likely spread, inducing anxiety.

Thus, they undertook excessive measures to establish their accomplishments and secure their prominence.

‘The notable commander elimination was attributed to Agnotia’s first apostle.’

Even during such moments, the political skirmishes and power play wore me out.

I couldn’t think well of the person they highlighted for their accomplishments in the north.

‘Agnotia of all people.’

I was convinced of Agnotia’s betrayal.

Yet, they chose an apostle who secured accomplishments?

‘Did they secretly cut a deal with the legion commander?’

I was genuinely concerned. Even if pondering did change little.

A deep sigh escaped as my thoughts weighed heavy.

「A new main Scenario has been added.」

MISSION

「Main Act 2, Scenario 3 – Earth Defense Battle」

Enemies have invaded Earth again. Players, close the Holes on Earth and annihilate the adversaries.

「Rewards」

Participation Reward: Choose from the following rewards

• Mana 3000, reputation 150

• Attribute Mana 1500, reputation 300

Ranking Reward: Rewards vary based on rankings（1~?th place）

• Free Shop Use Voucher

• Random Box（X?）

• Achievement 20000

* Rank is tallied according to the contribution to the mission.

As anticipated, the System began summoning players to Earth.

Damned System