Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Chapter 18: The Beginning of Change (1)
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Regular gates that players could use had appeared.
Did that mean the holes players had been using to come and go were no longer usable?
'No way.'
Gates were just a safe means of traveling to and from Bihar—they weren't mandatory.
'It's more like a convenient bonus.'
Players had to visit the temple anyway because of their ties to the Order.
In other words, the new pathway and the massive hole already punched between Earth and here disappearing were separate matters.
Players could carry out missions the old way as much as they wanted.
Proof of that: Maxim, who had entered from Earth, destroyed Meseo and vanished with the evolved species right after.
'The berserker bears are in for a shock.'
Among the evolved species I'd caught, it was the toughest one when poked—so they'd have their hands full.
As long as those guys planned to use players, this was a necessary warning.
Plus, it was time to gradually leak information about the holes.
'I can't just rely on the Korean government.'
Blindly releasing hole intel to the masses was dangerous.
Who knew what crazies mixed in there might do.
But staying completely silent wasn't an option either.
Personally, I figured countries with strong militaries needed to know.
They'd have to be aware if they wanted to prepare for war, right?
After some agonizing, I reached a conclusion: Inform organizations first, before the general public.
'At least that would delay any lone wolves causing trouble.'
Of course, organizations weren't guaranteed to stay out of trouble.
They might even be more dangerous than individuals.
'Their awareness and range of operations dwarf what a single person can manage.'
Stopping all exploitation of holes from the start was impossible anyway.
Humans were cruel beings who'd never once halted war throughout history.
Beings who could trample others purely out of greed, without survival even on the line.
So I didn't expect the world's superpowers to just sit on hole information quietly.
But sometimes you had to pick the lesser evil over the worst.
'If I can't block it completely, the best I can do is control it as much as possible.'
That was the optimal move from my position right now.
And if providing intel to select groups also solidified players' standing, even better.
By tossing an evolved species at Russia this time, I'd exposed the info and highlighted players' necessity.
'They'll quickly realize no player means no easy way through evolved species hide.'
My immediate tasks were done.
After Maxim vanished, we escaped the contaminated area and relocated.
We gathered at the tavern inside Robole Castle, monitoring the chat Maxim was sending.
While he reported the situation in real time, I sat with legs crossed, mulling over those who hadn't shown.
'Three no-shows, one of whom is dead.'
Code Name Jebula's death was beyond doubt.
Of the remaining two, one was Canadian—Code Name Maple Leaf.
He hadn't explained his absence clearly, just cited personal reasons.
The other no-show was Yang Hye-won.
She hadn't given details either.
But I'd heard separately, so I knew the inside story.
'A meeting, huh...'
Word was, she was attending as the player representative at a gathering with the president and key cabinet members today.
Her background had made the invitation possible in the first place.
'Who knew she was a Korea Military Academy grad.'
Thanks to her unique pedigree, Yang Hye-won stepped up for National Intelligence Service or government matters more than Kim Yul did.
'Handy to have a player like that.'
As a player herself, she wouldn't blindly side with the government.
If she secured her position properly, she could even mediate between sides later.
'I'll give her a ride on the bus if the chance comes.'
After organizing info on Yang Hye-won and the other absentees, I surveyed the attendees.
Once food arrived, the overall mood lightened a bit.
Maybe because they'd learned how to destroy Meseo for the first time, or because no one got hurt during the hunt.
I didn't know the exact reason, but the atmosphere wasn't bad.
Of course, no one touched the alcohol. Tension hadn't fully eased yet, probably.
Less like a casual friend meetup, more like a departmental dinner after New Year's promotions shuffled in new faces?
Conversations flowed steadily, awkward but persistent.
As they ate, the vibe grew more relaxed.
I kept my mask on, so I didn't eat a thing.
'Better than I expected.'
All I had to do was keep recruiting other nationalities to build up numbers.
I'd watch for friction in the process, but not sweat it too much.
'Not everyone at the same company gets along, right?'
As long as they stuck to common goals, they could trash-talk or grab collars for all I cared.
As I held my spot pondering future plans, a red dot appeared on the Order's homepage icon.
'New post notification.'
One of the Biharans—clumsy with the site—had bothered to post something.
I checked the Order community right away. It was a message from Lashar.
「Title: K, we may need to vacate the mansion. - Author: Lashar Bennett.
Content: Apparently, there was a major clash in the contaminated area. Assembly orders have come down. Figured I might not be at the mansion when you return, so I'm leaving this note.」
Thanks to last night's special training, it was a clean post—no typos.
'The resistance hasn't disbanded yet, so she'll have to go.'
I posted a confirmation reply and stood up.
Maxim's chats had slowed anyway, so it was time to head back.
'An Ki-jun's errand for when he returns to Earth is settled too.'
「Chat message from Code Name Yokai has arrived.」
「Gift from Code Name Yokai has arrived.」
[Receive gift? (Y/N)]
Hitting yes brought up a new window: mana required for receipt.
Ever since servers linked, sending gifts cost mana.
'Probably to limit civilization flows between worlds, even a little.'
Modern stuff like electronics, guns, bombs was excluded, but other items could pass freely.
No mana cost for gifts between Earth players suggested as much.
Retrieving modern items from storage cost a bit of mana too.
'The system doesn't block civilizational exchange outright.'
But it didn't welcome it either.
It just didn't forbid it completely.
With players around, perfect isolation was impossible anyway.
'They started with some give already, basically.'
Mana costs varied wildly by item.
Crossing worlds with certain tech or knowledge would cost a fortune.
'Stuff the system really doesn't want exchanged, most likely.'
Luckily, An Ki-jun's gift this time wasn't too pricey.
After claiming it, I said,
"I'm heading out first."
Eyes from the group—scattered in clusters, glued to the group chat while eating—fixed on me.
Among them, a player with dark curly hair stood and followed, asking,
"Already?"
Code Name Fabian, French national as the name suggested.
"Hunt's over."
"I'll head out too. My party's waiting."
Before Fabian or others could chime in, Ethan cut in.
"Honestly, I was thinking of leaving myself."
"Same here—gotta go hunt."
Lily Evans and the sniper player piled on after.
In the end, about half stood to leave, half stayed.
'Tried to slip out solo, and now they're trailing like sausages.'
Better than getting held up, though.
On the way to the temple, those leaving together swapped post-battle assessments.
"Forming full parties might not be a bad idea."
"Makes sense. Splitting mana among more people was a hassle, but two tanks expand coverage. Made it way smoother."
Today's ad-hoc party had two tanks.
Fabian, who stayed at the tavern, and Ethan walking beside me now.
Lily and the sniper were praising their performance—I agreed.
'Parties are definitely comfy.'
Hunts with Kim Yul and An Ki-jun barely qualified as parties.
All close-range dealers—just more hands, really.
But the evolved species raid earlier was a proper group hunt with diverse roles.
Tanks held aggro up front, while ranged archers covered off-screen monsters.
Not the same as adding bodies.
That's why the temptation hit hard for a second.
'Seriously consider partying up?'
Temptation faded quick, though.
'Even if I did now, it'd be meh.'
Positions were set, but most players were still rabble.
Pushing monsters with raw physical prowess, no real weapon skills.
'Run into those hunter-level guys from before, and a proper party wipes without fighting back.'
Even I couldn't wield my main spear properly yet.
Learning spear arts and applying in combat?
The gap was bigger than I'd naively thought.
Better to party after players gained experience and actual skill.
Would be easier then anyway.
'They'd be pre-filtered by then.'
Until then, focusing on my own growth was efficient.
A few tried chatting me up on the way back—I gave short replies.
But when Lily asked about my personal info, things shifted.
"You broadcast your affiliation and name everywhere—does that mean I have to?"
My sharp reaction had her backpedaling fast.
"Ah, I didn't mean it like..."
"And remember when you posted on the community looking for me? Why? To nab me?"
I had no intention of letting it slide quietly.
"I'm warning you—if I'm your target, get out of this group."
I'd react hypersensitively to anyone probing my info or digging behind my back.
"I gathered people for player cooperation. No room for those at odds with me."
And I'd hit back with everything I had.
'Until I'm solidly established, that's how I protect my family.'
Lily apologized immediately, but I left without responding.
She'd picked Robole as her base—no need to escort to the temple.
Heard Ethan murmuring to her from behind.
Instead of looking back, I messaged Ethan farewell via chat and beelined for the temple.
"Tch."
Back at Habor's temple alone, I clicked my tongue right away.
More external activity meant more eyes on me—that was anticipated.
But anticipation didn't make it pleasant.
Britain's David, America's CIA, and who knows who else hunting me.
'Ethan won't tell David.'
But it'd reach him through others soon enough.
My nationality leaking in that context didn't sit well.
Still, I talked myself down. Just knowing my nationality wouldn't snag me.
'Not like I'll even exist on Earth for a while.'
How do you catch someone who isn't there?
Hard to peg me as a player just for going missing.
'Millions vanish yearly.'
To dodge suspicion or tails, holing up here was smart.
I consciously ignored the gate back to Earth.
And stared toward the Palao Church.
Might as well drop by since I'm out—but I shook my head.
No guarantee I'd get the mark today.
I'd scheduled the revisit loose precisely because prep wouldn't take just one day.
'Next time.'
Gotta explore Habor's geography anyway.
I hurried out of the temple.
Back at the mansion, I immediately sought out the kid who'd been nagging at me.
"Do you know where Velta is?"
The first servant I saw past the main gate got my question—then thudding chaos erupted upstairs.
Voices mixed in, turning rowdy, and a small shadow leaped from the second-floor railing.
"K!"
Velta, eyes puffy red but still brimming with tears.