Chapter 208
Chapter 208
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 208
Chapter Title: Chapter 38: Scattered Puzzle (7)
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There was nothing more to discuss about the materialization of Attribute Mana.
So, onto the next issue.
“Did you hear what that fairy folk said earlier?”
《System Message》
Yes.
“Do you really think they can break down the barrier made with divine authority from over there?”
《System Message》
I can’t know the exact method, but the possibility is sufficient.
The Seven Gods’ authority isn’t omnipotent, after all.
“...If those bastards can really dismantle the barrier, how long do you think we can hold out?”
The response from the System was utterly matter-of-fact.
《System Message》
There are too many variables to consider for an accurate estimate.
However, taking the overall state of the gates and the remaining forces in Bihar into account, we can hold out for at least a year.
Depending on the players’ performance, it could stretch up to three years—that’s my personal opinion.
I couldn’t help letting out a groan.
The question I’d just asked had assumed Bihar’s downfall.
And the System hadn’t denied it. It agreed that this place was doomed.
One year to three years—that was the System’s deadline for the world of Bihar.
Seeing that concrete number made me instinctively realize it was time to confront the problem I’d only vaguely suspected.
“...The people of Bihar can never leave this place, can they?”
My voice trembled slightly as I asked, and a flat message arrived from the System.
《System Message》
Yes.
It wasn’t surprising anymore. I already knew the answer.
The people of Bihar couldn’t use the gates.
Not just the gates—they couldn’t use the Holes either.
Unlike the monsters that could cross to Earth via Holes upon contact with players.
The people of Bihar could not leave this land, this world.
“Whew...”
When I first realized this, I hadn’t seen it as a huge issue.
Back then, I was still trying to end this war in Bihar.
But as I learned and saw more, I had no choice but to admit it.
Ending this war in Bihar was realistically impossible.
From that point on, the problem had been tightening around my neck day by day.
‘What was Bihar’s population again?’
Facing this overwhelming reality, my mind wasn’t working as sharply as usual.
I knew the number, but it wouldn’t come to me.
Maybe my instincts were blocking it out because I didn’t want to face it.
But I knew.
The lives behind that number I couldn’t quite recall would perish along with Bihar.
With the situation like this, every time Rashaar and the others from the Palao Church looked at me with hopeful eyes, it felt like I couldn’t breathe.
The faces of all the people I’d met in Bihar flashed through my mind one after another.
“I’m gonna lose it...”
I pressed my throbbing temples.
That’s when the System sent a message—whether explanation or justification, I couldn’t tell.
《System Message》
It was a clause demanded by the Seven Gods when the initial contract was signed.
For a moment, I shot back without thinking.
“Not you?”
《System Message》
I recognized the necessity as well, but the Seven Gods demanded it first.
My mind went blank.
I’d assumed it was a condition from Earth’s side.
‘Because Bihar’s non-humans might want to head to Earth.’
This was their homeland, sure, but they were under constant threat from monsters.
Once they learned of Earth, where the war hadn’t escalated yet, they’d naturally think of evacuating.
A safe place to live is essential for human survival.
Bihar’s non-humans wouldn’t be any different.
‘But if millions or tens of millions of refugees come flooding in, Earth would be in trouble too.’
So I’d thought the System had made the gates one-way only.
But the System was saying it wasn’t—it was the Seven Gods who’d demanded the no-departure clause for Bihar’s people.
“Ha!”
I was utterly disgusted by the Seven Gods’ hypocrisy.
They preached about saving their followers.
But they wouldn’t allow those followers to flee a dying world?
“What the hell for?”
My voice was hoarse as I asked, and the System began its usual flat explanation.
《System Message》
Because their origins of existence differ.
The System is a deity derived from Earth, while the Seven Gods are deities derived from Bihar.
Their points of origin are different.
Thus, if they go to Earth, the Seven Gods cannot maintain their current power or position.
‘Born in Bihar, recognized only in Bihar.’
It was like a resident ID issued in Korea not being valid as ID in another country.
‘That’s why they’re clinging desperately to their domain, Bihar.’
If the followers fled to Earth, they’d surely be safer.
The gods knew that, yet they’d bound their followers’ feet to Bihar.
I could vividly feel the base desire underlying that action.
‘An alliance with Earth to save their followers?’
No—it was an alliance to preserve Bihar, where their seats and authority remained intact.
“These crazy bastards...”
The rage boiling up inside was so hot my head was ringing.
Even so, I forced my mouth open.
“I get it—principally, Bihar’s people can’t leave. Fine.”
My time to communicate directly with the System was limited.
I couldn’t waste it on overwhelming emotions.
“Then exceptions? Are there no exceptional cases allowed at all? Nothing you can do on your end?”
After a brief silence, the System’s simple answer came.
《System Message》
If it’s a small number I can justify as necessary, I’d risk it.
Meaning it wouldn’t risk danger to save the masses unnecessary for humanity’s survival.
Curses rose in my throat, but I couldn’t spit them out.
‘I’d do the same!’
Earth couldn’t unconditionally turn itself into a charity for Bihar.
Earth was already dealing with its own civil wars, dictatorships, and other issues producing refugees.
The countries taking them in were screaming from all sorts of problems.
And now, add refugees from another world?
Could Earth even handle that?
‘Even before weighing possibility, it’s clearly not a wise choice.’
No sooner had I reached that conclusion than a new System message arrived.
《System Message》
Time’s up. Until we meet again, stay well.
Like last time, the white space collapsed after the one-sided notice.
At that perfect timing, thunder boomed and lightning crashed outside.
Kim Yul and Yang Tae-ho were gone somewhere; the tent was empty.
‘Good.’
At least they wouldn’t see me like this, surely a pathetic sight.
I closed my eyes, covered my face with my hands, and took deep breaths.
Sitting there motionless, blending into the darkness, dozens of thoughts swirled through my mind.
‘The System made its stance clear.’
Worrying about Bihar’s people left behind here was pointless.
No more wasting time on useless thoughts.
What I needed to do now was set my rules of action going forward.
‘If the fairy folk are right and the enemy has a way to dismantle Temoria’s barrier.’
Did the Church or the Atar imperial family know about it?
If they did, did they have countermeasures?
If not, should I tell them?
‘Could I handle the chaos that would follow?’
It was a doomed world anyway—did I really need to stir up more turmoil by telling them?
“Goddamn it...”
The price of getting the information I wanted was harsher than I’d imagined.
To the point where I thought it’d be better to relive the anxiety of knowing nothing.
But I had to endure.
I gritted my teeth with that resolve—just as lightning flashed again.
Followed by rumbling thunder.
The rain pounding the tent grew even fiercer.
And amid the downpour came the splashing sound of wet footsteps approaching.
My body reacted instinctively to the external stimulus.
I gripped my spear with the hand that had covered my face and checked the map with my eyes.
‘Two blue dots, one red dot.’
Staring at the entrance, the source of the presence soon arrived.
“K.”
It was Joseph who called me.
“You’re not asleep already...”
He pushed aside the tent flap and stepped right in without hesitation.
The moment our eyes met, he flinched and stepped back.
“Whoa, you scared me! What’s up with you? Why’s your face so scary?”
“...Just thinking.”
I shook off the stiff expression and asked.
“What brings you all the way here?”
Joseph’s tent, since we were both in on this 6-star contamination zone, was quite a distance away.
What errand brought him here?
“A guest looking for you showed up.”
“A guest?”
Instead of a proper explanation, Joseph jerked his head toward outside the tent.
Like he was telling me to check for myself.
Well, a guest—I should at least see.
I got up and went to the tent entrance, where two figures stood in the pouring rain.
“...Long time no see, K.”
The awkward, hesitant greeting came from Rashaar.
“Have you heard Kalos-nim’s message?”
Gretman cut straight to the chase.
Unexpected guests—I couldn’t help my cheek twitching.
‘Why at this exact timing?’
It felt like someone had decided to challenge and shake my resolve.
“I didn’t know where you were, but they came looking anyway.”
Joseph, who’d brought the unwelcome visitors, waved his hands dismissively as he left.
“No idea what it’s about, but solve whatever problem it is. Don’t dodge it like it’s not you.”
Joseph left, but instead of inviting the two inside, I just watched them silently.
And I reaffirmed the conclusion I’d just rediscovered.
‘There’s nothing I can do for them.’
They were people of a world doomed to fall.
As long as they couldn’t escape this crumbling world, they were as good as dead.
I knew that full well.
“Sorry to show up out of the blue.”
My stomach churned at that cautious voice gauging my reaction.
“Gretman-nim said there was something he had to relay to you...”
I finally furrowed my brow and closed my eyes.
Unlike with Ahel or the other Church folks, detaching emotionally from Rashaar wasn’t as easy as I’d thought.
‘Damn it.’
And it made sense—my bond with Rashaar ran deep.
We differed in many ways, which made him all the more someone I could learn from.
Plus, he’d always listened earnestly to my opinions.
He knew how to compromise for my sake.
He always welcomed me warmly.
Above all, he understood my goals and supported them without hesitation.
And he’d said helping me was his own joy.
There were endless reasons he stood out more than other Biharans.
‘Maybe more than just a simple friend.’
An unwelcome conclusion.
Of course, it wouldn’t sway my decision.
“Fine, I asked for it first.”
I opened my eyes and turned to Gretman.
“But this child insisted on coming along, saying she couldn’t trust me.”
“Gretman-nim! That’s...!”
“No need to explain. I know my attitude seems suspicious enough.”
But there were reasons I had to act that way.
“So, answer me. Have you heard anything from Kalos-nim?”
Instead of replying rashly, I stared straight at Gretman.
And soon, I made up my mind.
‘Might as well be good.’
I’d planned to seek them out anyway.
Better to see what game they were playing now than keep getting dragged along.
I stepped aside from the tent entrance and said.
“Come in for now.”
Goddamn System