Chapter 65
Chapter 65
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Chapter 15: To the New World (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Fortunately, he believed me, so clinging to that faint possibility was the best I could do.
“……If you believe me, I’ll do my utmost.”
“If you need anything, contact me through Nam-gyu. I’ll do whatever I can.”
“Yes, got it.”
There were still many mountains to climb, but I’d cleared the immediate hurdle.
‘Slowly, steadily.’
I reined in my tangled emotions and turned my gaze beyond the bulletproof glass as I spoke.
“Just in case, I’ll cut off the big one’s limbs completely before I go.”
“We’ll station players there as a precaution.”
He was easy to talk to. I was truly relieved that someone like him was in charge.
“Cease fire, everyone cease fire. We’re going to neutralize the big one. Stay calm.”
Director Yang Jo-cheol came with me beyond the bulletproof glass.
Honestly, I felt relieved. If they’d sent me alone, I would’ve been on edge, wondering when they might start shooting.
Thanks to Director Yang Jo-cheol sticking with me from start to finish, I was able to sever the giant monster’s limbs without any issues.
Only after that did I receive guidance to head outside.
‘It was definitely underground, right?’
We’d come down quite a long staircase on the way in—was this the bunker I’d only heard about?
It felt like a military base, but it was awkward to ask outright.
I kept my curiosity in check and shut my mouth. Director Yang Jo-cheol didn’t say much either.
That left me lost in thought.
Thud. Thud.
An impulse surged amid the steady rhythm of footsteps.
“Um……”
“Yes?”
Before I knew it, I’d spoken up, and Director Yang Jo-cheol, half a step ahead, turned back.
“Did you have something to say?”
I hesitated several times before finally opening my mouth.
“About Nam-gyu.”
“Ah.”
Director Yang Jo-cheol stopped walking and gave a surprised look.
Avoiding his gaze, I mumbled.
“Don’t you have him study separately? He makes a lot of spelling mistakes in chat.”
“We do have some education time, but we devote more to military training and player spars. It’s tied to survival, after all……”
It was the kind of story that naturally furrowed my brow.
‘This war won’t last a lifetime.’
This was like turning kids into child soldiers, living only for tomorrow.
‘That’s a bit……’
The game didn’t care about age when meddling in lives.
But I wasn’t so jaded that seeing a twelve-year-old kid shoved toward monsters with a spear in hand left me unmoved.
That was why this issue kept nagging at me, consciously or not.
‘Come to think of it, Kim Yul’s still in high school, isn’t he?’
His sly demeanor made him seem like an office worker with years of experience, but he was the same age as the twins.
Putting the twins and Kim Yul on the same level made them all seem endlessly young.
‘They’ll get through it somehow……’
But this wasn’t for me to step into.
Kim Yul and Nam-gyu both had their own guardians.
I kept chewing on those words, trying to put the issue out of my mind.
But Director Yang Jo-cheol addressed it faster than I could shake off the lingering emotions.
“I’ll assign teachers so they can follow a proper curriculum.”
It wasn’t anything grand, yet it eased my mind in a way I couldn’t explain.
As I let out a long-held breath, Director Yang Jo-cheol added one more thing.
“Would you like to at least have a quick chat with him? He looked pretty disappointed earlier.”
His voice somehow sounded gentler. In contrast, my expression stiffened a bit.
From the moment we met in the mountains, there’d been no time to talk casually with Nam-gyu because of the monsters.
We’d moved while staying alert for them waking.
Then we’d jumped straight into gun tests using the skill stones.
After that, it was explaining unreal events nonstop—always something to do.
There wasn’t even anything specific I needed to say to the kid, so no reason to squeeze in time amid the chaos.
Nothing had changed now.
The issue that had been bothering me was one Director Yang Jo-cheol promised to handle, so no need to get further involved.
“Nothing personal to say.”
My voice came out stiffer than I expected.
Even I was a little surprised.
But I didn’t bother explaining it away.
Either way, there was no reason for me to meet Nam-gyu separately—it was clear.
Director Yang Jo-cheol said nothing more and walked ahead again.
I didn’t speak again until we’d climbed the long staircase to the surface.
“Sorry for shoving a monster at you right off the bat.”
“No need. I understand it was urgent. We’ll escort you to Seoul……”
“If possible, just lend me a car.”
I had things to organize on the way, and I didn’t want someone who might be monitoring me tagging along.
If not, I’d just run there, but Director Yang Jo-cheol accepted my request without any extra words.
Soon, a black sedan arrived.
“Should I let you know where I park it?”
When I asked if it had location tracking, Director Yang Jo-cheol smiled awkwardly and shook his head.
“It’s fine. It’s a government-owned official vehicle, so we track its location anyway. Just leave it somewhere convenient, and we’ll retrieve it.”
After talking about this unreal game and monsters, hearing about an official vehicle felt surreal.
The disconnect between reality and fantasy left me feeling empty, bittersweet.
“I’ll use it well and return it.”
Swallowing an unintended hollow laugh, I spoke, and Director Yang Jo-cheol said goodbye.
“Then, until next time.”
“No.”
I shook my head immediately.
“Let’s hope we never have to see each other like this again.”
I opened the car door, leaving him flinching.
“I mean it.”
If I never had to seek out Director Yang Jo-cheol again, it’d mean the war in Vihar was over.
That would be an ending in the best possible future, one without any ‘worst’.
Director Yang Jo-cheol, who’d watched me silently for a moment, extended his hand.
“If it really turns out that way, I’ll feel a bit regretful. Take care.”
I didn’t reply. I just shook his hand briefly and got in the car.
On the way to Seoul, I organized the guidebook’s contents from the vehicle.
I’d drafted it on the way to meet Director Yang Jo-cheol, but there was still plenty to refine.
‘Thinking ahead, better to upload it soon.’
I spent a while glued to the writing window, polishing the guidebook.
Just as I was finishing, the car entered Seoul.
And as if timed perfectly, a message from Ethan arrived.
- Ethan Lembron: Sorry, just finished assembling the party. Getting ready now.
I’d just wrapped up too, so we could start right away.
“No rest for the weary.”
Clicking my tongue, I replied to Ethan.
Twenty minutes later, a post titled “Damn System” went up on the community once more.
* * *
“Selena.”
“Ethan, come on in.”
Ethan entered Selena’s office, gently curving his lips upward.
Over the past few months as a player, it had become a habit.
To show he was harmless, not a threat.
He’d had to constantly prove and persuade day after day.
Smiling and greeting strangers.
Asking about the well-being of people he’d met only a few times.
Worrying over those he’d barely spoken to.
Actions the old Ethan wouldn’t have done.
He hadn’t been that sociable.
‘I’ve changed a lot.’
But no matter how much his personality shifted, his core didn’t change easily.
Ethan fundamentally didn’t enjoy shallow interactions with many people.
If anything, he preferred deep bonds with a few.
It meant Ethan wasn’t the type to drag his weary body to visit a ‘stranger’ he’d met a dozen times.
Yet, even exhausted from breaking up with Lily’s party and forming a new one, Ethan had come to MI5’s deputy director, Selena, of his own accord.
“Sorry for coming by when you’re busy.”
“No need for that. If I was really busy, I would’ve turned down your call.”
Ethan’s lips curved into a deeper smile.
Selena, facing him, smiled back and subtly asked his purpose.
“But I am curious why you came. We’re not exactly the type to seek each other out.”
Ethan’s gaze flicked sideways.
To check the chat messages with K.
But he didn’t read everything.
Just refreshing the purpose before getting to the point.
It felt reassuring, like K was right there in the chat window somehow.
Why did he trust this person he’d met only once so much?
Because he’d saved his life?
Even while claiming it was for his own gain, his actions always benefited the many?
Because he constantly thought ahead and pushed forward?
Maybe because he always delivered results no one could’ve anticipated.
No, actually, it was all of those reasons.
The K that Ethan had observed, even from afar, was a leader worth following.
He had something that captivated people and made them want to follow.
That was why he’d decided to go along with his will.
“No beating around the bush.”
Recalling his conversation with K, Ethan spoke firmly.
“I really, truly despise David.”
He was sick of being monitored by someone who rejected rather than understood differences.
Selena silently stared at Ethan after his heartfelt addition, without retort.
But even without words, her reactions were visible.
Dilated pupils like excitement, slightly ragged breathing.
Changes a normal human wouldn’t notice or hear.
“For the future, I want someone who treats me without prejudice to be in charge.”
That was why the ambition blooming in Selena’s eyes at his words wasn’t surprising.
“Among the people I’ve seen, you’re the right one, Selena.”
His words, seemingly egging her on, were deliberate.
Ethan glanced at the chat with K again.
As if confirming why he was doing this.
- K: Their forces are way too lacking over there anyway. Unlike us, they don’t have growth advantages.
- Ethan Lembron: How many troops?
- K: Around 500,000.
- Ethan Lembron: ……You sure it’s not 5 million you misheard?
He’d really thought so. The U.S. alone probably had over a million troops.
But for Vihar’s total forces to be only half that—it didn’t add up.
Yet K followed up resolutely, as if warning against false hope.
- K: No, it came from someone fairly high-ranking over there. Reliable info. Seems most died off after a war lasting over a decade.
- K: Honestly, you could say they’ve already lost. It’s weird they haven’t fallen yet.
- K: That’s why I’m sure. This game won’t end with just 100,000. The third wave players will be even more.
Damn System