Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Chapter 14: Server Connection (3)
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If that apology felt like empty words, then I’m sorry for that too.
The first divine presence I’d ever experienced was overwhelming and heavy.
If I had to categorize it, it had mostly given off an unpleasant vibe.
The ones that followed in droves afterward weren’t much different.
But Senoa’s divine presence was a little different.
‘Is it because the domain she governs is humility?’
Overall, it felt cautious and calm.
[And I’m truly grateful for arranging this meeting today. Thanks to you, I can finally see some hope amid what was looking like a dark future.]
That made it hard to push back aggressively like I had with the others.
‘This type is uncomfortable.’
When you don’t sense any combat potential from the other side, it just drains your own energy.
As I shut my mouth with an uncomfortable expression, I thought I caught a faint hint of amusement.
Was she mocking me? Just as my brow furrowed,
[Please consider this a token of my gratitude.]
A cluster of golden light appeared before me, soon forming into a marble-sized orb about the size of my fist.
I just stared at it, and the system stepped in.
《System Message》
The Goddess of Humility, Senoa, presents a gift of gratitude on behalf of Bihar.
It seemed like it wanted me to take it, so I reached out.
The moment my finger touched the orb, it got sucked into my body.
《System Message》
Title “Emblem of Alliance” has been created.
My body twitched for a moment, and I tapped on the new title in my status window.
[Emblem of Alliance]
• Description: A gift presented by Bihar’s chief gods to express their gratitude for your achievements.
• Effect: Allows use of all seven authorities regardless of affiliated faction.
Even as I tried to hide my agitation, my fingertips trembled.
A problem that had been nagging at me, consciously or not, while reading the main scenario had been resolved.
‘I won’t have to discard Kallos’s authority.’
As I secretly let out a sigh of relief, Senoa prepared to bid farewell.
[Then now…]
“Wait. I have something I’d like to ask the God of Charity, Palawo…”
I hurriedly stopped her because it felt like this might be my last chance for a while to talk directly with the gods.
I was curious why Ahel had specifically recommended Palawo’s temple.
I brought it up hoping a direct conversation might yield some hint, but there was no response.
‘What? Did he not come at all?’
Had Palawo not shown up to this meeting at all?
Or maybe Senoa was blocking him from talking to me.
As I mulled over which it could be,
[The God of Charity, Palawo, has perished.]
An unexpected answer at an unexpected time, from yet another unfamiliar divine presence.
The noisy four, Senoa, and now this one who’d just spoken.
All six gods were here.
“…I see.”
The news of Palawo’s death was enough to explain why Ahel had recommended his temple.
‘It’s like a neutral zone.’
Palawo’s church had lost its head.
That’s why it was off the radar of other churches and gods.
A fading church with no reason even to keep it in check.
That was Palawo’s church’s position in this world.
[I wish you continued prosperity.]
Right after realizing that, the divine presence that had delivered Palawo’s death vanished after a curt farewell.
[Then let’s proceed with the agreement.]
《System Message》
We will begin the connection process as quickly as possible.
After that, Senoa and the system exchanged a brief conversation.
[Until we meet again, farewell.]
With that, the massive presences all vanished.
It seemed Senoa had taken everyone with her.
Left alone in the empty prayer room, I stood there dazed for a moment before filling my lungs with a deep breath.
The gods were gone, so now it was the system’s turn.
“Hey, system.”
At my low,沉 voice, a white barrier formed around me.
It was identical to the barrier I’d seen in the level 1 and 2 missions.
It was blocking sight to keep our conversation from the seven—no, six gods.
Sure enough, once the barrier fully enclosed me, a system window popped up in front of me.
《System Message》
Yes, Player Kang Hyun-woo.
It was still here. A system capable of real communication, right in front of my eyes.
Confirming that, I clenched both fists tight.
Then, infusing my voice with the rage rising from deep in my chest, I spat out,
“You bastard…”
With my temper, I could’ve already raised my voice and vented.
At least, that’s how messed up I thought my relationship with the system was.
But the boiling anger wouldn’t come out.
《System Message》
I sincerely apologize for suddenly burdening you with such a heavy responsibility.
It wasn’t because the system’s response was polite, or because it apologized first.
It was closer to the fact that, having seen the main scenario, I couldn’t bring myself to get angry.
I had a rough idea of the situation Bihar— this world— and Earth were in.
Yelling wouldn’t change this shitty situation.
《System Message》
I’m also truly grateful. Thanks to you, Player Kang Hyun-woo, we’ve dramatically shortened the estimated time needed for server connection.
With my fists clenched tight, I read the system’s words with a hollow feeling.
《System Message》
If there’s anything you need, please let me know. I’ll answer any questions you have. If it’s something needed to support your play, I’ll figure out a way.
“Whew.”
I let out a deep sigh and rubbed my face.
Time to achieve the goal I’d dragged myself here for.
“What’s with the sudden compliance today?”
Of course, my hostility hadn’t vanished, so my tone came out snide inevitably.
But the system responded calmly, unperturbed.
《System Message》
Thanks to the divine presences left by Bihar’s chief gods, I have some temporary leeway.
My mind sharpened. If this two-way communication was only temporary, I couldn’t waste time.
I got straight to the point.
“The holes are connected to Earth, right? And players have been coming and going through them?”
The most urgent issue was the holes.
《System Message》
Yes, that’s correct.
Gritting my teeth and steadying my breath, I asked again.
“Can the monsters come and go too?”
My voice trembled slightly. This was a critically important matter for me.
《System Message》
Yes, but I’ve blocked access on my end for now.
The numbers from the mission list flashed in my mind, and the ground seemed to drop out from under me.
《System Message》
Of course, unless they’re completely destroyed, the enemy will use them as passages. That’s exactly how Bihar was invaded.
Probably the name of this world.
Our world was Earth, this one was Bihar.
But right now, the name of this world wasn’t what mattered.
The holes between Earth and Bihar were.
I’d hoped otherwise, but the conclusion I’d pieced together from the info I’d gathered bit by bit was correct.
Maybe because I’d vaguely suspected it, the shock wasn’t huge. Just a sense of despair.
《System Message》
After the existing gates became unusable, we left the holes alone for too long. If we’d connected the servers two years ago, it wouldn’t be this bad…
The system’s rambling words barely registered.
After a moment of ragged breathing, I squeezed my eyes shut.
I couldn’t stay lost in a daze forever.
‘Get it together. It’s not like you didn’t know at all.’
I pulled myself together, steadying my weakening body and resolve.
Having confirmed the holes’ function between Earth and Bihar, I had only one choice.
I couldn’t let those bastards cross to Earth.
I absolutely couldn’t tolerate those monsters baring their teeth at the people around me.
‘Even if it kills me, I won’t let that happen.’
This horrific experience starting from the tutorial was enough with just me.
With my mind made up like that, what could I do?
I had no choice but to wipe out the monsters’ roots here in Bihar.
Rubbing my face vigorously, I began calming my mind.
‘Venting won’t change anything. And now’s not the time to waste it.’
My heart wasn’t softened by the system’s apology, nor had my layered emotions eased.
The fact that it had thrown me into hell hadn’t changed, so I could never forgive the system.
Someday, I’d definitely repay it for the rage I felt during the tutorial.
But not now.
‘Humanity’s survival.’
To resolve that massive issue, I needed the system’s power.
So I buried that past rage deep in my chest, in a place even I wouldn’t see unless I forced it open.
From now on, I was in a temporary alliance with the system.
Repeating that to myself cleared my head.
‘What to do first?’
Should I check what all that server connection talk meant?
‘No.’
From the gods’ conversation, it was already set in stone.
The server connection would start soon, and it couldn’t be stopped.
Plus, the word “server” gave me a rough idea of what it meant.
‘Earth has its own server right now, so this Bihar server is opening up as a new one.’
Something I could roughly infer, and already confirmed.
No need to verify or explain it.
The gods were more important.
I’d be operating in the world they ruled from now on.
“Those guys I just saw—they don’t seem trustworthy.”
《System Message》
If I quantify their trustworthiness, it’s about 28%. And that’s generously high, factoring in Senoa and Kallos.
It meant I’d gained some leverage, but it was still best to assume the worst.
“The relationships between those seven… no, six gods?”
《System Message》
They call each other brothers, but as you saw, their unity isn’t strong.
“They fight among themselves, huh?”
《System Message》
I don’t know the details beyond that. But I do know disputes between their churches are fairly frequent.
As expected. I wasn’t too surprised.
Even cornered by the enemy, different churches were raising their voices and bickering.
And now, an alliance had formed to support the war in the midst of that.
‘It’s obvious what’ll happen next.’
Ahel had said most non-humans couldn’t use mana.
In a situation where most were non-combatants, what if thousands, tens of thousands of combatants appeared?
Each church would be desperate to recruit players.
‘Because growth-potential forces would become the church’s power.’
Players choosing factions was more important than it seemed.
Picking blindly could just empower those who’d use and discard us.
‘Senoa of Humility, Kallos of Kindness, and Palawo of Charity.’
I engraved the three names in my mind and swallowed a sigh.
‘I need to keep the other four in check.’
Whining that sudden partners from the sky weren’t trustworthy wouldn’t change anything.
Instead of dwelling on the unchangeable, better to fix what I could.
“You said you’d do anything to support my play, right?”
Precisely, you’d figure out a way if needed.
《System Message》
Yes, that’s right.
The system gave the answer I wanted.
If it had denied or equivocated, I would’ve snapped again.
‘With all the server connection talk and even thanks, it’ll grant a few requests now.’
What I needed for this game didn’t require deep thought.
“Game updates? That possible too?”
For the future, I needed to tweak this insane game to my liking.
Damn System