Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: The Terrifying Blue Legion - 1
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📰 [Admin] Title: Why Am I on Probation??? Author: State-Level Troll🔹 *This post is set to be visible only to board administrators. Any admins around??? Feels like I got the short end of the stick.... Got personal circumstances, can only log in at night and not even every day; just lift the probation pls — Maple Syrup🔸 Doesn't that mean you can do the graveyard shift? ㅇㅇ You write creative posts a lot, just block the haters when comments get spicy lol — State-Level Troll🔹 No; that's what I'm saying, I can't check the gallery often — Maple Syrup🔸 From the logs, seems like you stick around for a while each time you post? Just relax ㅇㅇ You're gonna get banned a ton anyway — State-Level Troll🔹 Fuck, Evan;;; Just wanna quietly gallery around — Maple Syrup🔸 Everyone's kissing ass cuz you're one of the few pre-apocalypse creative writers, so you can ham up the roleplay a bit — State-Level Troll🔹 Can I block the admins? — Maple Syrup🔸 lmao go for it — popapo01🔹 Yo, you too? ⭐ Top Comment — Fur Lover🔹 Really enjoying your stories~! Looking forward to more! Smooch smooch☆ — Gold Rush🔹 Look at how sweet the admin is lol ㅋㅋ They're gonna fuck soon — State-Level Troll🔹 No way.... I really can't come often — Gold Rush🔹 ㅋㅋ Welcome Chun-sik — State-Level Troll🔹 I'm seriously gonna post shitmeme if this keeps up? Pls unban for real, I'll just quietly gallery — Gold Rush🔹 Holy shit.... that dirty talk is hot af; where'd this ace come from; — Maple Syrup🔸 Fr, got a dick that wasn't there before, full hardon lol 📰 [Admin] Title: Attention New Probationaries Author: Maple Syrup🔸 *This post is set to be visible only to board administrators. This mass probation recruitment wasn't random, it was strictly screened high-nics ㅇㅇ ① No bans in the last three months ② At least three hours gallerying per visit ③ Not memo'd in admin's secret notebook♡ ④ Social galleryers who comment more than they shitpost (creative posts excluded) Filtered down to these five elite legion members, so take pride in your duties and act worthy of that 5 mil won monthly. — State-Level Troll🔹 Fuck gimme back my 5 mil — Shit-Talking Low Kick🔹 ㅋㅋ wtf this is hilarious — Wall-Blood Invincibility🔹 Shit, you were still checking that?? — popapo01🔹 Only five passed those easy criteria?? Fuck, how low is tower average?? — Wanna Eat Oiled Anchovies🔹 Wuu.... Chun-sik is hungry 📍 Admin Location Viewer *This post is set to be visible only to board administrators. [Maple Syrup🔸 - Current Floor 31] [Gold Rush🔹 - Current Floor 43] [Fur Lover🔹 - (Private)] [Ice Magic🔹 - Current Floor 9] [State-Level Troll🔹 - (Private)] [Shit-Talking Low Kick🔹 - Current Floor 13] [Wall-Blood Invincibility🔹 - Current Floor 51] [popapo01🔹 - Current Floor 39] [Wanna Eat Oiled Anchovies🔹 - Current Floor 35] 📰 [General] Title: Oh lol floats are freed Author: ㅇㅇ(38.2) Nice to meet ya probationaries! Let's have fun in the graveyard shift from now on! ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ — ㅇㅇ(12.11) ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Nice ㅋㅋㅋㅋ — ㅇㅇ(323.2) Mask party ON!!! — ㅇㅇ(17.88) First things first, gotta do the hazing ritual right? — ㅇㅇ(35.9) Ok gonna hit the john — ㅇㅇ(102.4) Hey probation-kun.... Old rat or shit rat, which you like? ...
...
...
— State-Level Troll🔹 These fucking bastards ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The nightmare was finally over.
I woke up from sleep.
Cold sweat dripped down my back.
"...".
This was a nightmare.
A tragic horror show of shit and old men running rampant. The disaster only calmed after floating passwords were bumped to 10 digits and some badges exhausted their ban quotas.
No....
Honestly, it wasn't over yet. I'd just tossed it from graveyard shift to morning crew. Embers were probably still crackling even now.
'Sorry, morning shift. I can't physically help anymore.'
"...".
Using total recall, I shoved the cursed shitmemes into a corner of my memory library and resolved myself.
'When the admin shows up, revenge.'
That tone, that irresponsibility. Even through text, I could filter them out.
'Floor 31, was it.'
At average climber pace, they'd arrive in under two months.
Without fail.
I'd find the admin and get revenge.
'Not banishment—keep 'em close with lord powers and work 'em naturally.'
I vowed as much. Then finished washing up and changed clothes.
The badge 'State-Level Troll' stepped back—it was time to return as Walled City Baran's affinity NPC 'Lucius Baran'.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Early morning.
At the Climber's Guild in Baran, where Niva and I had come to hand out quests, I ran into Blade Ghost. Even through her messy bob covering her eyes, exhaustion was plain.
'Probably from last night's war.'
Blade Ghost greeted warmly.
"Ah—. Hello! Lord, Lady Niva! Long time no see. You've both been so busy lately. Hope you've been well?"
"Oh, hi."
"...".
Unlike Niva's awkward greeting,
I couldn't greet her easily.
Blade Ghost, probationary. 'Wall-Blood Invincibility' stirring unwanted camaraderie. I'd seen her as just a high-affinity nic obsessed with lord lit before.... But now it was different.
Yesterday, we were tighter than blood brothers.
'Actually, we're shitmeme cleanup buddies.'
The words itched on my tongue.
"...".
But I couldn't spit them out. Pretending to know outside the gallery was lame, and explaining why NPC me gallery-hopped was tough.
I just wryly smiled,
and quietly offered a handshake.
"You always work so hard."
"Pardon? Ah...! Yes! Thank you."
"Any inconveniences living in Baran?"
"None at all! It's an honor you care."
"No need for that. I know you and Rel work tirelessly."
"Wow! Really? That's an honor coming from the gal... I mean, Lord!"
Blade Ghost giggled as she shook my hand politely. We chatted idly for a bit before leaving the guild.
Then Niva side-eyed me through her sunglasses and said. Note: her illusion outfit changed daily.
"You two close?"
"Not close exactly...."
Comrades.
Who crossed the line of fire.
"?"
At my reply,
Niva tilted her head.
"Hrekal subjugation stuff?"
"That too."
"Hmph, I... I was there too."
"Hahaha."
I just laughed.
"Hahahaha—."
Admin bitch.
Come up and get revenge.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Finishing business in Baran, we headed straight for the holy site, Gades Banea—barely 100 km away. Unlike sunny Baran, it was overcast here.
Climbers and NPCs milling the base camp wore thicker clothes.
-Ugh, cold.
-Snow soon maybe...
-Gotta prep lunch.
-Lunch? Oh—. For the refugees?
-Yeah, from the quest I applied for.
These 'refugees' between holy folk and climbers were survivors rescued from forest villages. Still bringing more via quests.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Climber party has completed the designated quest. Completed Quest: Jar Village Patrol (11) ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Climber party has completed the designated quest. Completed Quest: Mist Forest Dungeon (7) Clear ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Climber party has completed the designated quest. Completed Quest: Ring Village Survivor Rescue (3) ...
...
...
"...".
"...".
"...".
Those rescued huddled gaunt-faced by fires in the base camp clearing. They'd clung to their villages till the end, but crumbled under the triple assault of Storm Horde, starvation, and cold.
'Surviving this long was a miracle.'
Forced or willing,
refugees gathered at holy site Gades Banea.
'If not for nightly Storm Horde blasts with the saintess, raids would've spiked more. More fleeing in.'
Hundreds already.
As winter neared,
people flocked to the holy site.
"...".
'Winter vibes? Dim even daytime.'
Thus, I saw Angela sans blindfold even in daylight. Pink hair whipping, she bounced over energetically.
"Savior—!"
"Angela."
"!?"
Niva gulped and plastered to my side. Warm bare skin peeked through illusion shades. Her quick move drew a chuckle.
"Ha."
'Jealous maybe?'
Not a bad feeling, but Angela still struck Niva as ominous vampire.
'Angela doesn't seem to mind Niva much either....'
True to form, Angela ignored Niva's antics. Just giggled, approached, and gleamed scarlet eyes.
"Cold today, huh?"
"Winter and all. Coat plus cloak mandatory."
"Suits you perfectly. Like Baran's bounty embroidered on."
"Yeah? Thanks. You cold, Angela? Always in that white."
"Ah...."
Angela smiled, spun. Pink hair and white skirt whirled, trailing afterimages.
"Fine! Earth's angel is tough. This chill's nothing."
"Got it."
Greeting done, Angela stuck to my other side opposite Niva, heading to the temple.
Niva freaked.
"Why follow again!"
"To the temple? Duh."
"Umm.... D-distance?"
"Huh? Why? You stuck close too. Oh, cold so cuddling? Then me too—."
"N-no! Scram!"
Overhearing drew sidelong glances. Eyes ping-ponged amusedly between Niva and Angela.
'Not saying it, but all gawking thrilled.'
As I pondered intervening, we bumped into Inquisitor Abel exiting temple prayers.
"!"
'Abel's ditched blindfold too, squints showing.'
Still shady vibe. He eyed me, Niva, Angela in turn, pondering. Awkward silence fell.
"...".
"...".
'No wonder—little sis saintess making soap opera with outsider dude'd irk—.'
Before thought finished, Abel spoke flatly, eyes off Angela entirely.
"Greetings, Savior. Perfect timing—I had words. Please come to temple with Saintess."
"!"
I caught faint annoyance in his tone.
'Siblings not on bad terms, but cooler than expected.'
We entered temple. There, barely propped up, Archbishop Kairos. Regaining strength, he rasped.
"They left of their own will. But Savior, please mercy—check Knot Village where Archbishop Paul stays."
"!"
Post-saintess purge.
Village where Paul led opposition retreat.
Kairos pleaded earnestly.
"Before Storm Horde invades... Before Black Church tempts them astray. Help them escape dead end."
"...".
At least give humans,
a rational choice chance.