Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Chapter 4 Main Server (3)
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“……Probably.”
Unlike his vague response, Ethan was certain they were dead.
He had nearly died himself, and K had seen the bodies in the mission zone.
Four days ago, those six who entered the mission without mastering Mana Operation had no chance of survival.
Without that Trait—no, Skill—they were outmatched physically.
People who didn’t even know how to fight properly couldn’t win if they were also inferior in physical prowess.
“I see. Even though it happened somewhere I don’t know about, people dying is…… regrettable.”
Ethan couldn’t hold back a scoff at David’s follow-up words.
‘After agonizing over whether to kill me or not.’
David had viewed Ethan as a threat ever since the beta test.
Players would only grow stronger the more mana they absorbed.
He wanted to eliminate that power, which was transcending human limits, before it threatened his country.
But the Prime Minister had blocked it by citing human rights.
And now, just a few days ago, 10,000 more players had been selected.
He had reported it exactly as it was—the first selection—so David must have guessed.
That the scale of this game would only grow larger.
His recent expression of regret was likely due to that change.
‘Now he’s trying to act friendly.’
Hoping that Ethan wouldn’t turn against him amid the players later.
‘But it’s already too late.’
Their relationship had twisted the moment he pointed a gun at him while mentioning his family.
Ethan buried his surging emotions deep inside as he thought of the future.
“Ah, I called you here to ask your opinion, but we’ve gone on too long with small talk.”
In the meantime, David continued.
“The US has proposed collaboration.”
Ethan’s body twitched.
“They suggest trying a mission together.”
There was no need to ask who.
Code name Lily, CIA agent Lily Evans.
“They probably want to reduce their risks too.”
He had anticipated it ever since the player count on the community started dropping.
Orders had come down not to enter missions and to stand by.
An MI5 agent he had grown close to over the three months had given him a heads-up.
Collaborating with Lily was good news for Ethan too.
Separate from being able to use Mana Operation thanks to K’s help, the fear was unavoidable.
But instead of answering immediately, Ethan held his tongue for a moment.
He had originally promised to do missions with K.
However, the incident four days ago had revealed what the third number in mission markings meant.
If he entered a mission zone with K, the US would know through Lily.
And if that reached David.
‘He’d dig into who I entered with.’
Excuses like not meeting anyone in the mission zone would only hold up so far.
David might even resort to torture to uncover the truth.
Could he protect K’s secret even in that situation?
The answer was no.
‘Better to have no connection at all.’
His own identity was already exposed, but not K’s.
There was still a chance K could stay hidden.
If K stepped forward for him and something happened.
‘That can’t happen.’
Ethan wouldn’t be able to forgive himself.
In a way, the US collaboration proposal was a stroke of luck.
It would hide his connection to K while halving the risks in the mission zone.
‘Lily’s beta rank too.’
No issues from corrupted mana troubling each other.
With his thoughts settled, Ethan put a period on the dilemma he had repeated over the past few days.
He gave up on entering the mission zone with K.
Having reached his conclusion, Ethan nodded firmly.
“Let’s do it.”
“They’re hoping we’ll come. When can you depart?”
Ethan chuckled dryly in response.
“Neither side seems adapted yet. We don’t need to move physically.”
“…….”
“We just pick the same mission and enter.”
Ethan stood up right then and said.
“I’ll discuss with Miss Evans and decide which mission.”
Just before Ethan finished speaking and opened the director’s office door to leave.
“K still hasn’t appeared on the community?”
David stopped him in his tracks.
Ethan turned back with a scowl.
“If he had, I would’ve said so.”
With that, he slammed the door shut.
His footsteps echoed roughly down the hallway.
It looked like anger at a glance, but anxiety weighed heavier.
‘Persistent bastard.’
Even after three months, David was still hunting for K.
Not just to request cooperation.
Right now, David saw K as the most dangerous player.
Ethan gritted his teeth and vowed.
‘I’ll prevent his personal info from being exposed.’
He wouldn’t let his lifesaver end up as a lab rat like him.
* * *
Ethan informed me that he’d be doing missions with Lily.
Along with the unwelcome news that David was still searching for me.
But realistically, that guy had no way to find me.
The urgent matter was preparing for the mission.
I ignored external issues and devoted all my time to mission prep.
Exactly ten days after the system activated, in the pre-dawn hours, I left the house.
My destination was Korea University Hospital, where I had been briefly admitted three months ago.
It was quiet, so I arrived quickly.
But instead of entering, I stopped for a moment.
My feet wouldn’t move.
‘Feels like I’m heading to my deathbed.’
My mind was a mess.
I was confident I had done everything I could.
Not a single moment of slacking.
Even if time rewound, I couldn’t do better.
I had even concluded this was the best option.
Yet doubt clung stubbornly to the end.
‘Is this really the best?’
It was natural to feel anxious without knowing the future.
Still, it was overwhelming. The anxiety rose like heat haze, climbing from my feet, calves, knees, thighs, waist, chest, and squeezing my throat.
I couldn’t shake it off when I shouldn’t be standing still.
Clenching my fists tight, I consciously exhaled long breaths.
Then I recalled why I was entering a mission today.
‘I need to gather mana.’
If the cycle matched the beta test, today was the second tutorial.
I planned to claim as much mana as possible before the tutorial ended.
Because missions were limited.
Out of over 8,000 listings, more than 70% were high-level missions.
Level 3+ missions with only two numbers marked.
Level 1 and 2 missions were less than 30%.
Of course, low-level ones were the majority in proportion.
‘But not infinite.’
With 10,000 new players flooding in, what would happen?
Mission zones yielding mana could run dry.
I had a chance to escape the low-level bracket first.
That was the biggest advantage and opportunity for beta testers.
‘No time to hesitate.’
With my resolve firm, one breath, two, three deep ones later, finally.
My legs, which seemed glued in place, moved.
I pulled my baseball cap lower and stepped forward.
After entering the hospital, I used the route Jong-hoon had told me in advance.
To avoid CCTV as much as possible.
‘Just in case.’
As I moved forward, my twins’ faces flickered in my mind.
‘Still quiet for now.’
Ten days ago, after overhearing their conversation, I immediately contacted Jong-hoon and Jae-hyuk.
Told them never to mention what happened to me.
Pretend they knew nothing.
Then I ate dinner as if nothing had happened.
It was the most awkward time with my siblings since our parents passed.
Both acted oblivious, no different from usual, but I could see right through it.
The strange atmosphere lasted days, but I explained nothing.
It would stay that way. This wasn’t for them to know.
“Whew.”
Sighing from the stuffiness, I reached my destination.
A familiar name was on the door of the unfamiliar room.
「Seo Jong-hoon」
I had arrived at Jong-hoon’s private lab.
Before opening, I knocked, and a familiar voice greeted me.
“Come in.”
I opened the door and entered right away.
“Uncle, sleep well?”
“Didn’t sleep a wink.”
Phew, Jong-hoon sighed, pressing his temples with both hands.
But he soon stood from his seat.
“Come in, come in and talk.”
“Yeah.”
I entered and sat on the sofa.
After a short wait, Jong-hoon brought coffee and sat across from me.
“Breakfast?”
“Ate. You?”
“Couldn’t. Won’t go down.”
My hand twitched as I took the mug from Jong-hoon.
I smiled awkwardly and said.
“Sorry for the tough request. Must be troubling…….”
“Not troubling, just distressing.”
Jong-hoon set down his cup and furrowed his brow.
“When you came carried in by Jae-hyuk, covered in blood…….”
Unable to finish, Jong-hoon buried his face in his hands.
His sigh weighed heavy on a corner of my heart.
Three months ago, days after discharge, I came to him and talked about the game.
- I know it sounds unrealistic, but it’s reality to me.
- Please help me.
- You know I can’t just die like this.
I remembered his confusion at the unbelievable story.
His shock at the window and sword appearing from thin air.
His horror at my abnormal strength.
All of it.
‘Your face looks terrible.’
Even right before telling Jong-hoon three months ago, I hesitated.
Worried about dragging him into something unnecessary. Afraid something unexpected might harm him.
Yet I told him anyway because no other way came to mind.
Continuing missions meant injuries were unavoidable.
‘I’m no special forces.’
Even with a changed body, I lacked combat experience.
Worse, the monsters had intelligence.
Far more dangerous than wrestling beasts.
In fact, I was injured in nearly every mission.
I couldn’t forget returning to my room drenched in blood.
It could happen worse next time.
‘If the kids came home like yesterday then.’
I’d be caught for sure. I needed a place to avoid the twins.
Somewhere they wouldn’t show up, but I could get immediate treatment if needed.
Was there a more perfect spot than a hospital?
‘Medical records were an issue too.’
Jong-hoon was the best choice I had.
‘This is right.’
Even if I went back to that time, I’d decide the same.
But I couldn’t help feeling sorry for worrying him unnecessarily.
As I swallowed a heavy sigh, Jong-hoon groaned.
“How could I sleep soundly or eat when you might end up like that again?”
“……I’ll be careful.”
I replied as evenly as possible.
Jong-hoon wiped his pale face.
Minutes of deep sighs like the earth caving in.
“When do you plan to start?”
“When you’re ready, Uncle.”
“……Okay.”
Jong-hoon went to his desk and pulled out a tripod and camera.
What I had requested. To record the system summoning process.
Just in case this was all my delusion, it would be captured there.
Then I’d check into a mental hospital immediately.
Even knowing it wasn’t, I clung to that last hope.
Subconsciously hoping the me on video wouldn’t vanish.
While Jong-hoon set up the camera, I opened my inventory and mission window.
The inventory was full, unlike before.
Now that the main server was active, the program updated with notes on items allowed in mission zones.
The revised description said complex firearms or electronics couldn’t be brought in.
I packed both analog and digital watches just in case, but held low expectations.
Instead, non-electronic items still had hope.
Clothes, food, emergency meds for contingencies.
Of course, inventory wasn’t omnipotent.
‘10kg per slot.’
Total 50kg capacity.
When I checked, I packed everything I could from my end.
Food, medicine, clothes.
And today, the bag from Jong-hoon.
An emergency kit doctors used in disasters.
Jong-hoon had steadily taught me how to use its contents.
All this prep might go to waste again, but I’d take it anyway.
Finally checking inventory, I glanced at the wall clock.
It was a digital clock in Jong-hoon’s lab.
Yet I heard a ticking second hand somewhere.
Gulping, I pulled out my sword.
Gripping it tight, I tapped the level 1 mission window.
[Would you like to enter the mission zone? (Y/N)]
The system window appeared. Instead of pressing right away, I turned to Jong-hoon.
“I’ll be back.”
Jong-hoon, face rigid, nodded.
Without hesitation, I hit Yes.
But my body didn’t move to the mission zone.
Instead, a short warning appeared.
「Entry restricted: Exceeds mana threshold.」
What the hell is this?
Damn system