Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Chapter 10: Traces (1)
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Since the game began, a satisfied smile had only crossed my lips twice.
‘Once for ten million won, and once for the hundred-million-won trophy.’
And now, I was facing an even better situation than those two times.
03-159 [Trophy worth 200 million won]
03-188 [Trophy worth 50 million won]
03-293 [Trophy worth 180 million won]
03-255 [Trophy worth 70 million won]
04-1965 [Trophy worth 310 million won]
04-2487 [Trophy worth 864 million won]
….
The recommended mission list was blatant in its wording.
It was also the tangible gain I could expect from this game going forward.
But unlike before, no smile came this time.
The system had just openly declared it was going to use me.
‘It’s saying it’ll give me what I want, so just focus on the missions and don’t get any funny ideas.’
To claim those trophies, I had to clear those missions.
And that would directly benefit the system.
‘Feels shitty.’
Still, it was better than before.
‘Now I can use the system too, in a way.’
At least it wasn’t just me being forced to sacrifice one-sidedly.
‘I’ve got a way to make money, and I’ve confirmed it can’t update whenever it wants.’
Compared to being jerked around empty-handed until now, this was huge progress.
Good thing I didn’t hold back and went all in.
I took a deep breath and scanned the recommended mission list.
Starting to memorize the numbers.
Who knew when this damn system might wipe the list.
I’d gotten what I wanted, but that didn’t mean I trusted it.
I had to guard my own rice bowl.
‘For now, memorize up to level 4.’
As soon as I crammed the visible numbers into my head, the system window vanished like it was waiting.
I opened the mission window, but the recommended list was gone.
Just as I feared.
If I’d trusted it and done nothing, I’d be back to square one.
‘Never anything to like about this thing.’
Clicking my tongue, I started examining the shield on the ground.
‘Conduit.’
The boss mob I’d just killed seemed like the same entity as the little monster.
But it was way stronger and bigger.
Had it absorbed the mana pooled in this conduit and transformed?
‘I didn’t sense much change in the mana while I was observing.’
With the mana-sucking monster gone, it was easier to watch the flow through detection.
Mana moving from the edges toward the center was gradually fading away.
‘Where’s it disappearing to?’
As I mulled over the question, the word describing this conduit stuck in my mind.
‘Hole.’
One of the things this literal-obsessed system left untranslated.
‘…A hole isn’t supposed to be a gap between originally disconnected spaces or areas?’
So what hole did this “Hole” refer to exactly?
To find answers, I looked up at the sky, now glowing bluish.
Two moons had definitely been up there, even if they weren’t visible now.
What if the problem hole was punched through this world?
‘And if mana’s leaking out through that hole?’
It was a plausible guess at first glance.
If true, what lay beyond this hole?
‘No way… Earth?’
The short word dried my mouth instantly.
If this Hole really connected to Earth, could only mana pass through?
‘I already came here from Earth.’
If that’s how I got here—through a “Hole”?
Then didn’t that mean things from here could go to Earth too?
‘No, maybe the system’s taken measures.’
I tried to deny it, but the imagination filling my head wouldn’t fade easily.
“Hey, what’s this Hole thing? Related to why I’m here?”
Anxious, I even asked the system.
But with no leverage? No answer.
I prodded repeatedly, but no alert or message.
‘Yeah, that’s you alright.’
I let out a hollow laugh and closed my eyes. The system’s nature hadn’t changed.
It just used me, no explanations or excuses.
Even showing the recommended list was just to make me do missions.
I couldn’t forget that.
‘Guess I have to figure it out myself.’
I shook my head sharply, shaking off the stiff expression.
‘Don’t limit my thinking for now.’
The Hole wasn’t something I could confirm with the info I had.
Even the boss being stronger due to mana gathering around the conduit was just my guess.
Nothing was certain.
I organized the new info and questions, then stood.
I kicked off my melted, ragged combat boots and changed into sneakers from storage.
I threw on the torn shirt I’d recovered with the spear.
Before heading out, I tried stowing the shield, but no dice.
‘Won’t fit.’
I grabbed straps from the boots, tied them to the handle, and belted it to my waist.
Only then could I start walking.
Destination: around the thorn lotus leaf cluster where I’d found human footprints.
‘This mission ends with destroying the conduit.’
Meaning after clearing monsters, I’d have time to scout safe spots.
Plus, no barrier limiting the mission zone.
‘I’ll follow the footprints.’
Might learn something.
‘Four liters of water, one day’s rations.’
Ration carefully, last till tomorrow afternoon. Even if gone, buy more from shop.
‘Bread and water at least.’
Base to endure a long fight.
But back at the footprints, I couldn’t move easily.
Something held my ankle back from following.
‘Uncle’ll worry.’
If return delayed—hours, maybe days—Jong-hoon’s thoughts were obvious.
‘He knows I might be dead.’
Could I make him wait like that?
Explaining my absence to the siblings would be hard too.
‘Already six hours past.’
Standing before the prints, I pondered.
Ways to contact Jong-hoon existed.
But it’d expose his info, and risk mine.
After standing blankly, I opened chat.
- K: Whatcha doing
Reply came quick.
- Kj: Special forces combat training. I’m flying! Bro, you didn’t start lvl 3? Still not done?
- K: Gonna take a bit.
- Kj: Eek…… super hard?
- K: Nah, got something to check. Need a favor for that.
- Kj: Sure, what?
- K: Phone monitored?
- Kj: Not taking it, but check comms logs. Agent sis I’m tight with slipped me the word!
- K: Among party outside NIS, anyone tight-lipped or trustworthy?
- Kj: Outside NIS? Except Bunny Eyena and Nam-gyu?
- K: Yeah
- Kj: Then Yokai bro! Not heavy-lipped, just gutless. Been partying with asocial bro from start, no backstab vibe.
Jong-hoon had filled dad’s role since parents died.
Couldn’t leave him sleepless worrying I might be dead.
‘Gotta get word to him somehow, he’ll cover for me with siblings.’
Plus, Kim Yul I’d met, and would keep tangling with.
If I stayed ahead and gave gains, he wouldn’t stab easy.
- K: Without NIS noticing, contact via player “Yokai” that I’m alive.
Beat late this time.
- Kj: Kinda shocked. Thought you’d never leak personal info.
- K: Don’t wanna if possible. Seal lips with 10 potions?
- Kj: Will tighten the seal, milord. Who to tell?
- K: 010-6695-XXXX. Just call, say the guy who entered the game is alive.
- Kj: In this world, only me and Yokai bro know that number. Won’t mention bro to him! Swear! Loyalty!
- K: Thanks.
- Kj: No prob! Hit me if need help!
No need to delay, sent potions to Kim Yul right away.
With someone to relay to Jong-hoon, heavy feet moved.
Didn’t know where this path ended, but seize chance, do what I could.
‘No guarantee next zone has traces like this.’
Most level 2 zones had no human or civilization signs.
Even if worrying Jong-hoon, had to go.
‘One week max.’
No results? Clear mission.
Tracking started rough.
No pro tracking skills, all makeshift.
Prints to water? Scour whole area.
Finding human prints again? Luck-based.
Mostly monster prints overwhelmed, chased wrong leads back to start plenty.
Through it, guessed their numbers.
‘At least four.’
Patiently scanned ground despite loops.
By noon sun, reached swamp outskirts.
‘Sun’s one at least.’
Worried two moons meant two suns.
‘Weather like spring or fall.’
Cool wind night, now warming.
‘If seasons here…’
No dry grass or leaves, likely spring.
Scanned surroundings, pressed on.
Spotted change quick.
‘Terrain shifting.’
Puddles vanished, ground dried.
Not welcome.
Tracking harder another way.
Hard soil hid prints.
‘Lost it.’
Then weeds thickened, no prints at all.
Ahead: endless grassland.
Lost trail, sat, sighed.
Totally stuck.
“Quit…?”
Wasting time? Right path?
Doubt gnawed nerves.
Still, no urge to just destroy conduit.
“Whew.”
Gulped water, pondered.
‘How to follow?’
Tap tap.
Fingering forehead, memory surfaced.
Near swamp edge, brown stains on brush.
Glanced once; had solid print clue, ignored.
‘Brownish.’
If degraded red blood?
“They’re hurt.”
Target possibly injured.
Blood traces might linger.
Planted spear at last print, crawled ground.
Eyes wide, obsessively parted nearby grass.
Three hours later.
‘Found it.’
Dried brown on grass.
Spear spot and blood spot.
Line them: knew direction.