Chapter 322

Chapter 322. Massacre Under the Guise of Justice (2)

I had informed everyone when we drafted the contract that the filming crew might accompany us to dangerous areas.

The bill currently being prepared in the assembly also took that part into account.

For those affiliated with the guild or players, if they received a pass, they would be allowed to access the Hole.

‘Doing what needs to be done, whenever and wherever necessary.’

In exchange, they received far higher salaries than those who worked on ordinary content.

‘So they needed to take responsibility for their tasks.’

I didn’t bother with looking after or helping up those who were getting nauseous, and the filming crew, rather than blaming or resenting me, found their roles and carried them out diligently.

I had thought about replacing anyone who complained while enjoying their rights without fulfilling their obligations.

‘Maybe it’s for the best.’

There was merit in choosing individuals with reputable names and steady minds from the industry.

“Are you really going to do it here…?”

Of course, they showed slight agitation because of the content they were about to broadcast.

But it wasn’t really their concern.

“I will take responsibility.”

I urged the filming crew, and they quickly set up the camera and microphone.

Shortly after, the live broadcast opened, and the standby screen was displayed.

「(Exclusive) K, important Announcement」

Thanks to the influence of the guild channel and my reputation, viewers quickly gathered.

Meanwhile, I moved the body of Asura to be better captured by the camera.

Technically, it was a scene that could lead to the video being deleted or restricted.

‘The video platforms can’t ban me anyway.’

Governments worldwide were watching me since I had the power to hunt legion commanders.

It meant they were hesitant to repeat anything with me, and without political pressure, it was impossible for private companies to abandon their gains and erase me from their platforms.

That would lead to incalculable losses.

‘They’d probably rather bear some controversy and criticism.’

These companies need to draw more clicks in a capitalist market system, and that’s the most prudent choice.

‘That’s why I do this so openly.’

To anyone who might watch the footage, it could have negative influences.

However, more important matters needed addressing right now.

After the standby time of about 10 minutes, I stared straight at the live broadcast screen and spoke.

“Players around the world should heed what I’m going to say.”

This message was my final warning and a declaration of war.

“There are countless reasons why Biharin met its demise… Among them, the most detrimental were the traitors and the high-ranking officials who colluded with them.”

The royalty, nobility, and priests comprised the establishment.

In Biharin, they seized power and lived comfortably.

Except for their end being destruction, they enjoyed luxurious lives even during war.

“But their prosperity was only possible in Bihar.”

Thunk.

When I struck the tail of my spear on the already messy asphalt, the ground reverberated.

I stood at the center and muttered coldly.

“Remember that these acts will never be tolerated here on Earth.”

If anyone dared to ignore this warning, selling our side’s secrets, threatening humanity’s survival, or obstructing a war that should end victoriously…

“I will gladly hunt you down and kill you.”

Just like this Asura here.

I nudged the corpse of the already deceased Asura with my foot and continued in a chilling tone.

“So be vigilant. By selling Earth and siding with the enemy, you become my adversary.”

Anyone thinking they might escape by evading my gaze or hide and bide their time hoping for a chance should abandon that hope.

“I am not interested in compromising or negotiating with scum like you to prolong the war.”

Crunch.

I crushed the already lifeless Asura’s head underfoot, proclaiming to the scattered traitors worldwide.

“Clean your necks and wait.”

No sooner had my words ceased than the progress, which stayed stagnant at 99.99%, shifted to 100%.

「The Target Program is activated.」

A red skull symbol appeared above the horrifically crushed Asura’s head right afterward.

The marks left by players I removed when leaving Bihar reemerged on Earth for those traitors who deserted our world for the enemy.

The system’s support didn’t end there.

**MISSION**

「Main Scenario Act 2, Scene 6. Identifying Traitors」

Eradicate the vile traitors colluding with the enemy and selling Earth’s secrets, threatening humanity’s survival.

「Rewards」

Participation Reward: Distributed to all mission participants.

• Mana 1000, attribute mana 500, reputation 100

• Random Box (× Traitors Killed)

• Achievement 100 (× Traitors Killed)

Conditional Reward: Rewards given for eliminating more than 100 traitors.

• VIP Shop 10% Discount

※ Only marked traitors are counted.

The successive Main Scenario effectively sanctioned the otherwise forbidden slaughter among players.

Fueled by this, prominent guilds, clans, and associations worldwide launched massive purges against the traitors.

***

‘Damn it!’

Fabian clutched his side with one hand, hastening his steps.

No matter the means, he couldn’t stop the bleeding, so he reluctantly opted for manual pressure with his hand.

Even after pouring more than ten High-Rank potions onto the wound, given his current state, it was apparent that the weapon causing this injury was a relic.

A relic with an irreversible recovery option attached at that.

Before the option’s duration ended, natural healing was delayed, thereby making it an exceedingly troublesome relic.

As a result, Fabian found himself fleeing without even treating the ambush injury he sustained.

Concealing his mana tightly within his core, Fabian slipped into the densely packed streets of Paris.

“Damnit…!”

He had been preparing to expand his influence within the association and oust Lily, but suddenly, this was an unexpected disaster out of nowhere.

‘If only I hadn’t failed back then.’

Upon reflection, things began to fall apart when he borrowed the monsters’ help to attack Alphas in the past.

He tried to deal with Hasan, but there were already too many protective personnel attached.

Rumors spread in dribs and drabs, leading some to start avoiding him.

And today, it escalated to the point where he was branded with a symbol indicating he was a traitor.

‘Damn, damn it!’

Fabian ground his teeth, cursing the current situation.

But no amount of resentment would help him shake off the pursuer.

“Where are you rushing off to?”

When the pursuer was K, evading was simply impossible.

Fabian halted abruptly at the familiar voice, gritting his teeth.

“You don’t seem to be in great shape.”

Turning in the direction of the voice, he saw K leaning against the wall with his spear tucked under his arm.

As if he had known all along that Fabian would come this way.

Fabian glared at K with fierce eyes.

The detestable Asian who persistently meddled and irritated him for a long time.

He couldn’t count how fervently he wished for that guy to die on the battlefield.

But unfortunately, it seemed the gods were siding with K rather than Fabian.

Perhaps that’s why the man hadn’t met his end on the battlefield and was now, once again, blocking his path.

“… You’ve been waiting for me, I see.”

“As you can see. Oh, don’t be too surprised. Bounty Hunters can tell.”

Bounty Hunters?

“It requires too much divinity to offer this function to all players. So, you only get the target symbol, with location tracking reserved for Bounty Hunters.”

What does location tracking even mean?

Fabian furrowed his brows, finding it difficult to comprehend what K was saying.

Despite spending a considerable time with the association, he hadn’t realized the foundation of Ethan’s police bureau or the inspector’s enforcement bureau.

“Seeing your expression, I must have picked people really well. Those who seemed likely to backstab didn’t even get the information in the first place, right?”

When K directly pointed out his ignorance, deeply buried emotions within Fabian stirred violently.

But before he could retort, K spoke with an ease-filled demeanor.

“If you’re really curious, I could tell you.”

Half of him desired to smudge that annoying face of K.

The other half was consumed with wanting to know the information he doesn’t have.

Faced with this inner turmoil, Fabian pressed onto the wound at his side more firmly, lowering his gaze.

Sneak.

What he confirmed was a bracelet soaked in blood.

The magic tool he received when he decided to side with the enemies.

Having shattered the jewel embedded with magic, the signal must have been sent.

‘I’ve got to buy time.’

Having reached a somewhat calm conclusion, Fabian forced a smile and said,

“Sure, clearing my curiosity before I die wouldn’t be so bad.”

K seemed delighted at the situation, his lips curling upward gracefully.

Why did he seem so joyous?

Momentarily, anxiety crept upon him, but as he continued listening to K, even anxiety felt like a luxury.

“We can tell, you see.”

“We?”

“The Bounty Hunters.”

Those authorized to pinpoint, track, and eliminate players designated as kin, or those abusing the Hole to wreak havoc on Earth.

“Didn’t you wonder how the police bureau or the enforcement bureau tracked so well?”

It’s all thanks to the perk granted to the Bounty Hunters.

“Well, from what I see you’re marked on the map, it looks like you killed someone? Quite recently too?”

Likely the player who ambushed and stabbed Fabian.

Since he struck a valid blow during his escape.

Though he heard of the other player’s death, Fabian didn’t feel regret or guilt.

Instead, he was overwhelmed with a sense of inferiority, deprivation, or alienation.

“Thanks to this feature, it’s been easier policing players.”

Players, given their resolve, could annihilate towns or cities.

The reason these individuals adhered to the association’s rules was straightforward.

‘Because there’s a belief they’ll face repercussions if they break them.’

Not empty threats, people have witnessed and heard firsthand that one could indeed be struck down by the association.

Once a system’s power to enforce rules was established, acting on personal whims was just foolishness.

K was indicating that this control’s source was precisely the function of Bounty Hunters.

How could K, during just a year within the association, know what Fabian didn’t acknowledge?

“Did Lily tell you?”

Grinding his teeth at the exclusion that had become the norm, Fabian asked and received an unexpected counter-response.

“Ever considered it might be the opposite?”

“What…?”

“Ever thought that I might have told Lily?”

“…”

“Did I make it too complicated? Want me to explain again? I mean, I was the one who handed the Bounty Hunter function to the association.”

The narrative was immensely tough to follow as Fabian’s expression crumpled heavily.

Capturing that sight, K wore a mysteriously pleased expression and spoke.

“And that’s why you won’t make it. Trapped within your perspective, manipulated to soothe you, see only what you wish – that limits you.”

As Fabian’s expression turned harsh, the empty air suddenly began to ripple.

An invisible presence seemed to search the surroundings.

The instant he recognized this all-too-familiar phenomenon, Fabian’s tightly scrunched expression brightened.

‘They’ve arrived!’

Reinforcement to save him had arrived.

Soon, the empty air split open, and an acquainted black hand thrust forward.

Until that moment, Fabian was certain of his safety without the least bit of doubt.

K would be unaware of this bizarre phenomenon or the lofty existence enabling it.

Seizing a distracted K could allow him to escape and recover from his wounds.

He was certain of it.

He soon realized it was a misconception.

What revealed that truth was witnessing the golden glow in K’s eyes, gleaming with ecstasy.

‘Something’s amiss.’

The moment he realized it, golden sparks viciously blazed around him.

Damned System

TL’s Corner:

Fabian was the bait to catch a bigger fish.