Second Trial – Interlude (3)

Up until now, people's status windows had always been listed plainly. Age, history, skills, all of it.

But Joo Jintae's skill name was half blurry. The other half glowed strangely.

Is this possible? Like an EX-rank skill or something?

I tilted my head, then laughed.

Nah, probably not. If it was, Joo Jintae would've eaten everything up by now. Why bother gathering people? With an EX-rank skill, he could handle it all solo.

I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠spotted Joo Jintae smiling contentedly ahead.

"By the way, did you hear? The government's finally making a move."

"Yeah, I heard. About time."

"Public officials are always busy. But now that they're moving, we might get rescued soon, right?"

"Talking like you've actually worked in government."

"I did for a bit. Nothing impressive."

I snorted with laughter. What a blatant liar, this fucker. How could he lie so shamelessly? It was almost impressive.

Well, to fool a bunch of people and build a gang, you needed skin that thick. Politicians were all the same, right?

That made me dislike him even more.

There's only one type like him. A natural-born con artist. He sees himself as the saint, and everyone around him as extras.

Same logic as celebrities using their lackeys for damage control during scandals.

Part of me wanted to grind Joo Jintae into dust right there. But after seeing that ability name, I knew rash moves were off the table.

Of course, I'd kill him soon enough. Just not before making him dance to my tune.

For that, I had to dismantle his faction first.

"Since we're here, let me ask. How many people do you have under you?"

"Under me? I care for them. Around 60, I think?"

"That's a lot. Must be tough."

"Haha, if it means rebuilding our country, it's nothing."

His response dripped with nauseating hypocrisy. That smile. Utterly revolting.

Anyone would think he was some shield-bearing hero, a true patriot. But I played along with a smile, yawning and tossing in affirmations.

"Truly a saint. But the people here don't look like that many."

"Haha, the ones in back are the volunteer squad."

"Volunteers? They all look pretty tough. Whoa, check out those builds and glares."

"They wouldn't scare a Bloody Dancer. You're exaggerating."

That nickname I'd seen once popped up. Bloody Dancer. It spread on Revelation Live. Hearing it firsthand didn't feel cringy. It fit—dancing through fights with blood powers.

I sighed, glaring at Jintae.

"Anyway, you buying? Ration Coupons."

"Of course!"

"No haggling, just so we're clear. Absolutely none."

"That's a bit disappointing."

"Why? We just met. Not like we're buddies."

I drew a hard line. Jintae kept smiling and nodding. From his side, this deal wasn't ideal either—handing points to a potential threat.

He must have some desperate reason to secure ration coupons. Or it was for show, or to feed his own.

"But we lost one of ours?"

"I killed him. You guys were rude."

"I apologize for that. But it's controversial even on Revelation Live. Not acceptable in a democratic society."

"This ain't a democracy anymore. Just don't make it controversial."

"Even in business, you'd handle it like this?"

"Haha, fine then."

Outmaneuvered logically, Jintae offered a handshake. Random, but I got the intent. Probably how trades worked here, like in that old game with the archdemon where handshakes opened trade or party menus.

I gripped his hand, fearless.

I nodded. A blank space appeared in front of me, then a 0 popped up. Jintae's smiling face loomed beyond it.

"We're short on time, so just 10 coupons."

"That's 10,000 points. You got that much?"

"Yes!"

The number jumped boastfully: 0 to 10,000 AP.

I tried to pull out the coupons as we released hands, but the window vanished.

What the—?

Jintae smirked.

"Keep holding hands."

"This is awkward."

"That's trust for you."

"Some twist it, though. Watch out."

"Thanks for the advice."

I gripped again, pulling 10 ration coupons from my ring. Jintae accepted first. Me too.

Trade accepted.

Points really came in. I handed over 10 coupons as promised—ones without the special 7-form key markers. He wouldn't know about the Key After Ruin.

Jintae took them, inspected briefly, and smiled warmly.

"This'll save about three people. Thanks."

"Glad to hear it."

"So, still thinking about my offer?"

"Offer? Oh, that? No need to think. It's huge."

Jintae looked shocked, then nodded slowly with intense eyes.

Uh oh. I had no intention of teaming up.

But he looked pleased, like it was going his way. I shook my head openly, grinning.

"I'll pass."

"What? Why? You don't care if humanity falls?"

"What does that have to do with ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it?"

"You have great power. With it comes great responsibility. You're truly ruthless."

Jintae built the mood. His followers shook their heads, glaring at me accusingly. They muttered.

"So selfish."

"He got to #1, and this is how he acts?"

"Thinks he can just save himself?"

"Post this shit now. Fuck."

It was the expected vibe, so I laughed. Classic internet mob—turning one idiot into a villain.

I crossed my arms, shaking my head.

"The offer's tempting. I even thought it over."

Lie.

"And?"

"Problem is, it's from a hypocrite like you. Sorry, but I wanna stay human."

"I'm the problem?"

"Your braindead fans praising you while swinging their dicks? Whatever. I hate cult-leader types. Look ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠at them now."

Any sane person would've glanced back reproachfully at their own. But Jintae was shameless.

"That's a shame."

"My line. Breaking promises from the start, obsessing over trades even after losing a guy. Why trust a hypocrite like you?"

"I'm just realistic."

"No. Listen up, back there. Throwing your life for this one? Total fool's errand. See?"

Why I killed his guy: punishment, sure. But mostly theater. To show dying for Jintae was a dog's death.

His goons flinched. They hadn't been with him long enough for deep brainwashing.

"Do you even care about humanity? Or is ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it just your greed? Fronting as the good guy while dumping the useless?"

I spat it with a grin. Jintae's face hardened. Blissful.

Exposing and mocking someone's flaws? Pure thrill.

This is it—ladies and gentlemen, entertainment!

I smacked my lips greedily. Jintae forced a smile, sighing bitterly.

"Fine. Door's always open."

"Yeah, I'll drop by sometime."

"Sure."

"Wait."

I stopped his crew. Handed two fatigue recovery potions to one.

Jintae tilted his head.

"You're odd. Where do they keep coming from?"

"I'm a magician. Take it."

"What is it?"

"Fatigue Recovery Potion. You work hard. Or give to your hard workers. Killing your guy still bugs me. This evens it."

He took them, smirking.

"One life for two potions. Cheap."

"Yep, this is South Korea."

"Cheers."

His crew vanished. I watched till they were gone, then landed with a sigh, clicking my tongue.

Build-up started. Now, who drinks it?

Jintae would be ideal, but that snake won't. A subordinate works too.

I'd keep my promise to visit soon. People throw around "let's grab food sometime!" casually. I hate empty shit like that.

So I'd follow through. Hot. My way.

"Anyway."

I turned to the nearby church. Worth a look?

Stepping closer, it felt eerily empty. No signs of life.

No people? Seemed sturdy, with survivors.

Creak.

I pushed open the church door and entered. Classic interior, dimly lit. But an unexpected sight.

What the hell? This a church?!

Not what I imagined.

＊＊＊

Akasha Studio, where you could view Earth's Divine Game at a glance. This massive ark beyond the atmosphere housed countless constellations, hidden, chatting as they watched.

Like a dwelling from ancient myths.

"Japan's more fun than expected?"

"America's boring as hell. That PC bullshit, fuck."

"Africa's scarier than I thought. Pure horror."

"Heard a mystery Mutatio popped in Nowon's Jungkye-dong? Planned?!"

But some couldn't settle for watching.

A hulking figure barged in. Constellations usually hid their true forms, just observing. Not this one. He stomped loudly, childlike.

"Hey, just watching ain't my style. I wanna jump in too!"

A hologram woman appeared before the man.

"Constellations are fundamentally spectators, Thracian War God."

"Hah, how many generations of Akasha, and you all look the same?"

"You see my true form? Embarrassing."

"Disguises don't fool gods."

Akasha, leader and embodiment of the system, shrugged.

"Around the 8th generation, I think."

"Hmph, let our constellations avatar up and join the game. Weak enough for mortals."

"Hmm."

"Got a good idea."

"Oh? A good idea."

The Thracian War God whispered. Akasha nodded, gesturing into the void. She chuckled.

"Perfect timing. Intrude from the third game. But first, do what must be done."

"Ho, what's that?"

She wrote a notification in the air.