Chapter 289

Chapter 289. Palao’s Will (4)

“Wait. I’m going to bring the family.”

“Can you gather them quietly in one spot? If necessary, I can handle the knights myself.”

Glem let out a snort at my consideration for battle.

“What do you take us for!”

In preparation for emergencies, they had dug an underground tunnel connecting the village and installed magic tools to show illusions.

‘It seems they’re not particularly fond of receiving help from others.’

It was a statement indicating they could handle the situation by themselves.

About five minutes after Glem and the dwarves had proudly disappeared, the dwarves began to appear one by one, burdened with loads thrice their size.

The migration of the dwarf tribe had begun.

‘Quite different.’

On one side, they came as if going on an outing with light luggage, while the other side came carrying every possible item like they were moving houses.

It might have been due to the nature of the race, but the difference in information played a role as well.

The Beastfolk knew that once they crossed over to Earth, everything from clothing to everyday items would change.

This was because we had actively communicated this information to them.

I was also the one who advised them to only take precious metals that could be valuable.

On the other hand, the dwarves couldn’t fathom the life they would lead on Earth.

They had probably only encountered outsiders like us once or twice.

Hence, this difference had arisen.

I watched a pot clatter against another on a dwarf’s bag, then buried my face in my hands.

‘The initial settlement will receive maximum support from the governments of each country, so it should be okay.’

I pushed my worries aside and withdrew.

Under the command of the branch managers, the Beastfolk and the dwarves were divided into ten groups, each headed towards a different exit.

With nothing more to do while they moved, I quietly stepped to the outskirts.

Lily, having delegated tasks to the staff, approached as if she’d been waiting.

“The migration itself is proceeding smoothly. It should be completed well within the time limit.”

“That’s a relief.”

Even as I replied, I wondered why she’d come to me.

“A new Alpha has emerged on Earth.”

“Hmm?”

“The Purification Trait is nearing Level 3, and I’m contemplating merging them with the existing Alpha management team.”

Lily did not waste time and got straight to the point.

If the Trait was nearing Level 3 at this point, it meant they had survived the fourth selection.

It seemed they had come after hearing that the Association was offering special protection for Alphas.

“That’s great.”

I nodded calmly.

Apart from me, having another individual quickly emerge who could purify pathogens and corrupted mana was excellent news.

“What is their personality like?”

Since they had emerged, it would have been nice if they were like Aesa, someone zealously living for a greater cause.

“… There is a criminal record.”

“Fuuh.”

Things wouldn’t be any fun if they went so smoothly.

“They were a Somali pirate and had been wanted.”

It didn’t seem wise to merge such an individual with the existing Alphas.

Lily was surely aware of this, so why bring this issue for discussion?

The deliberation was not long.

“Is it Fabian’s side?”

“… Yes.”

The bastard was persistently politicking within the Association, refusing to die.

Among the initial successful Alpha promotions from the fifth selection, there were two, growing rapidly under Lily’s protection.

The entire team handling them was composed of Silver ranks, with the captain being of Platinum rank.

These new Alphas were riding a supreme bus using the Trait of equitable mana distribution among party members.

‘If we simply have senior members hunt for them, their individual combat power will decline.’

At this moment, however, nurturing their Traits seemed more urgent.

In these circumstances, to merge them with a pirate Alpha who grew facing all sorts of outside dangers?

‘Fabian’s side is likely trying to gain influence by latching onto the new Alpha.’

Suffice to say, the existing Alphas, including myself, largely belonged to Lily’s side.

‘Should I just kill him?’

The longer Fabian lived, the more he became an unhelpful being toward my desired future.

Thus, it was tempting to contemplate an effective way to eliminate him.

‘Let’s just think about it.’

Musing over Fabian’s face stored in my memory, I opened my mouth.

“Does the Association have the capacity for another Platinum rank?”

Lily shook her head.

Despite ending the second act, third chapter, and the Earth Defense War, holes continuously emerged around Earth.

Though none were massive, and the situation had been contained well enough to avoid serious incidents, the unpredictability of these Holes changed the atmosphere significantly.

Branch managers from around the world wouldn’t easily release a Platinum rank, the most perfect means of defending their own countries.

Even Lily seemed to have no intention of extracting another Platinum rank from the U. S.

‘Can’t be helped.’

I clicked my tongue briefly and then said, sweeping my hair back.

“For the time being, I’ll send Taeho hyung.”

With the recent successive hunting of legions, Yang Taeho and Kim Yul also became Platinum ranks.

Thus, by sending Yang Taeho to protect the new Alphas for the time being, Lily beamed.

Though I felt sorry for her, I had no intention of keeping Yang Taeho away for long.

‘Taeho hyung is a player affiliated with Temoria holding a Platinum rank.’

This meant he possessed the strongest defensive capability, save for authority coupons.

Such a person couldn’t be kept far from my family for long.

‘It’s a temporary measure until I sort out Fabian.’

While formulating a rough sketch in my mind, the migration continued steadily.

With their figures disappearing one by one through different exits, I found myself left alone in the white space.

Predicting what would happen next wasn’t difficult.

‘Is it really over now?’

Even though the timer for the hidden mission had more than ten minutes left, it was a meaningless transaction.

The system was certainly about to close the Gate.

I became absorbed in stray thoughts ahead of the conclusion.

Even though there had been slight commotion during the players’ retreat, it was still more manageable than expected.

‘Thanks to Yuria and the moderates, who tacitly allowed the players’ retreat, akin to betrayal.’

‘The consistent pursuit of capturing and eliminating the extremists bore fruit after all.’

Had it been like in the past, when they predominated, we wouldn’t have left Bihar quietly like this.

While I was soaking in such reflections, the system seemed to mock me as the white space began to crumble slowly.

It didn’t stop there but began confirming every aspect.

「The connection to the Order’s website is being severed.」

「The affiliation with the Order is being erased (existing benefits for admitted members will be retained).」

「Main Scenario Act 1, scenarion 1: Qualification Certification is being permanently deleted.」

「Main Scenario Act 1, Scenario 2: Entrance Exam is being permanently deleted.」

「The connection to the sub-server (Bihar) is being severed.」

「The mission program is being updated. The spatial arrangement of the Hole is being normalized.」

“The guild management program is activated.”

“The closure of the Gate is starting.”

I was clearly aware that the connection with Bihar wasn’t entirely severed.

‘Other Gates exist, as well as Holes.’

Nonetheless, I was concerned about everything I left behind.

Perhaps it was inevitable. No one could predict what events might transpire in Bihar in my absence.

To control this anxiety, I tightly closed my eyes. Simultaneously, the system window appeared over the darkness.

「Congratulations on your safe return!」

I had left the white space and returned to Earth.

‘I did everything I could do.’

It should be sufficient to withstand the time without me.

It was a time to trust in that.

* * *

Inside the NBC News Studio.

“PD, why are you trembling like this? Anyone would think you’re an aspen. It’s the news we broadcast daily.”

“Wouldn’t you be nervous? K is coming!”

While the conversation between the PD and the sound director was lively, someone stealthily approached.

“But will he really come? Frankly, I’m worried we might waste time. K has never accepted an interview request, you know.”

“Um? Didn’t he hold a press conference before? And the writers have already arranged a schedule with K…”

“That was because of requests from the government and the Association. He’s never accepted a personal interview request before.”

“Hey? Sounds like you are wishing for K to not show up? Are you cursing the shoot to fail, or what?”

“No, it’s just… I’m suspicious of how reporter Park managed to secure an interview with K, that’s all.”

As the murmured conversation grew louder, Park Hayoung’s gaze naturally drifted there.

She made eye contact with Jang Yeonhee, an announcer from the same broadcast.

‘I wondered why she came since it wasn’t her interview.’

It seemed she just wanted to pick a fight.

“Oh, sorry. Did you hear that?”

After broadcasting as if to be overheard, she pretended otherwise.

‘I really wonder why she acts like this.’

Jang Yeonhee had never liked Park Hayoung.

As an announcer, and with Hayoung being a field reporter, they rarely crossed paths.

They had perhaps seen each other a handful of times while coming and going from the broadcaster.

Without any apparent reason, Jang Yeonhee would glare angrily whenever they met, leaving Park Hayoung baffled.

Finding herself at a loss, she continued staring until Jang Yeonhee sneered.

“Don’t take it too personally. It was a genuine concern.”

“…”

“Thanks to reporter Park’s hullabaloo about landing an interview with K, didn’t you see how busy the shooting team and the director’s staff got? They even had to adjust the entire news script. It was a lot of trouble for everyone, so imagine the catastrophe if the interview falls through.”

Quite a detailed explanation for someone who claimed not to want to think of it.

It was naturally a curse hoping for the interview to fail.

‘The production team has already scheduled with Hyunwoo, confirming the visit. On what basis does she say the interview will fail?’

Before or now, Jang Yeonhee remained unchanged. Park Hayoung countered with a benign façade.

“You still have a good voice.”

It was a jab referring to the incident where she cursed on-air with a live mic, causing quite a scandal.

A common anchor might have seen their career crumble because of that incident.

Jang Yeonhee, however, had a wealthy husband to thank for still having a spot.

Her husband pushed many advertisements, and her disciplinary action only ended with a three-month pay cut.

As Park Hayoung alluded to this past event, Jang Yeonhee’s eyes grew sharp.

“What do you mean by that?”

While she seemed fine belittling and maligning others, she was particularly sensitive when criticized herself.

‘Absolutely pathetic, just pathetic.’

Scoffed Park Hayoung quickened her pace, flicking through the question cards she stayed up preparing.

“It was merely a compliment about your excellent articulation and diction, so why think otherwise?”

Perhaps it was her tendency to speak sarcastically?

Giving her own medicine, her cheek began to tremblingly quiver as Jang Yeonhee tried to suppress it.

‘What dedication she puts into futile bullying.’

She certainly had creative ways to waste energy.

‘It would be nice if Hyunwoo could see this.’

Park Hayoung found herself missing the student council president, who used to fiercely pursue rumors of bullying or ostracization within the school.

“Ha, you’re spinning your words, which means you’re nervous, huh? Afraid that K won’t show?”

Park Hayoung stared at Jang Yeonhee as if observing an unknown creature.

What kind of thought process led them to this conclusion after what just happened and the talk earlier?

‘I just can’t understand it, can’t fathom it.’

Feeling it wasn’t worth responding anymore, Park Hayoung shook her head and looked away.

“Thought so. I knew something was off.”

With a snort, Jang Yeonhee sat back, remarking.

“She couldn’t possibly know K.”

It seemed she was desperate to crush Park Hayoung somehow.

The more she spoke, the harsher her curses became.

“How can you trust those with pretty faces? They prance around like they’re all that, pushing upright, honest people like us aside.”

Park Hayoung’s abilities diminished. Undaunted, she even stooped to personal attacks.

Right as others attempted to intervene to stop Jang Yeonhee, the production team assigned to meet K at the station entrance rushed in, flustered.

“He, he, he’s, he’s arrived!”

Damned System