Chapter 254
Chapter 254
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 253
Chapter Title: Hardworking Pay-to-Win Knight
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“What is this? What the hell…….”
I narrowed my eyes.
No matter how peaceful my life had become after achieving financial freedom, it felt like massive wagon wheels were turning beyond my perception.
Of course, that didn’t mean I was anxious.
‘Something catastrophic won’t happen to the 34th Earth.’
No matter what ‘variable’ came crashing down, the 34th Earth wouldn’t be in any real danger.
Hadn’t it taken just three minutes to wipe out eleven transcendent-grade monsters that ambushed the residential districts?
And now, they’d even figured out the monsters’ spawn patterns and could adjust their respawn locations.
Say what you will, but since I hadn’t placed any enemies in the military, I hadn’t gotten involved. All the monsters that were supposed to appear on the 34th Earth were being funneled into the Steel Realm’s [Battle Stage], where the 2nd Legion and mechanized divisions hunted them down.
A good chunk of the drop items I’d sold to the Korean government came from exactly that, didn’t they?
‘In the extreme, as long as the universe doesn’t collapse, the 34th Earth is safe.’
Of course, I hadn’t let my guard down completely.
Especially since there were things directly involving me right now.
‘I need to clear that strategy simulation game whose name I don’t even know.’
Humans, alien intelligences specializing in superpowers, monsters based on biological strength.
And a strategy simulation game featuring four races that combined all those traits—no matter how much I dug into the 34th Earth’s info, I couldn’t figure out its origins.
Judging by their vocabulary and designs, it seemed produced on a fallen Earth, but the total lack of info meant it came from one of the destroyed ones.
There were originally a hundred Earths, but with the Great War, multiple catastrophes, and now this monster crisis, plenty had gone under. Totally plausible.
‘No need to look far—my parents’ 98th Earth was one of them.’
If that was the case, hunting for game data was pointless. Experts handling the monster crisis would gather it anyway, so I’d just reap the benefits later. Smart move.
Plus, you didn’t need game info to clear it.
‘Once I jump in…… it’ll be a total shitshow for them.’
The strategy sim monsters were throwing everything at Ardania, but lately, not a single casualty.
That was partly because humanity’s empire had beefed up its defenses, players had leveled up, and subways now connected every city instead of the underworld rails.
‘But honestly, it’s all thanks to me.’
My current combat power was so overwhelming that covering a single continent was a breeze.
Especially with All Master’s trait bordering on [Omni-competent], I could smash human formations spamming nukes, alien psychic attacks, endlessly evolving monsters, and hybrid freaks blending all those strategies without breaking a sweat.
And that was just defending Ardania. If I infiltrated their base?
No joke—give me a week tops. I didn’t know which of those eleven transcendent monsters I’d faced before was the game’s boss, but with All Master, I could kill it on sight.
“So I just need to go there, but I can’t.”
They opened gates to come here, but I couldn’t go the other way. Tearing through dimensions just dumped me in my inner world.
Luckily, I had someone to consult.
“Hayang.”
“Grrr.”
The White Tiger Hayang slunk over at my call, offering up his massive flank. I patted the striped fur, and a display lit up, showing Killians auto-farming.
Boom boom boom!
Killians—Mythic Class, Dimension Wanderer equipped—was rounding up and mowing down monsters. Top-tier hunting ground, but no other players dared approach.
With 100% collection, the insane pay-to-win Killians was basically Revenge’s strongest character.
And that was just the start.
‘The owner’s a Triple Transcendent.’
Too big a fish to mess with. I tapped the screen to stop hunting, opened inventory, and used a return scroll.
Flash!
Back in the city. Packed as always.
“Night and day difference. This massive city always full…….”
I marveled, scanning the crowds. Players in rags, or at best basic or advanced gear after escaping newbie status.
Harsh truth, but they made the rare, heroic, and legendary gear wearers stand out more. Even though Revenge’s core systems hadn’t changed much, that was why 34th Earth players had exploded in numbers.
“Lower civilization players are piling up.”
I spotted folks at a pop-up coffee stand in the corner, sipping drinks. Out of newbie rags, but still in shabby uniforms.
Lena: Ha…… this hot chocolate is too good. If you crystallize mana, you get unlimited drinks and snacks…… I don’t get it, but this must be employee benefits.
Servant: Working here means I don’t have to starve my siblings anymore…… but it sucks that I can’t take these tasty foods home.
They weren’t [players] of Revenge. To them, it was a workplace, login was clocking in. So players called them Workers.
Not all newbies became Workers, though.
Thomas: Recruiting for Dagger Goblin Forest! Earn cash while getting real combat XP!
Alton: Learned basic skill Shield Block! LFG healer with healing skills!
Ones dragging their avatars out to hunt somehow.
Kim Ilhwan: Anyone heading to Wild Dog Den? Can I tag along?
Maoi: Need high-end item support! Helpers get three lifetimes of blessings!
Blindly begging established players.
Gorani Shut: Newbies, specialize in Magic Missile first!
Lu Eti Parum: But mage-nim, I can’t grasp this Applem’s Law. Can’t I just fight with mana enhancement?
Gorani Shut: Hell no! To give you combat contribution, you need ranged attacks! Hit level 20 first—otherwise, you’re just cannon fodder!
Getting tips from bored 34th Earth players.
Kim Chang-sik: Everything here is Satan’s deception and temptation! Evil demons! Repent and don’t fall for it or join them!
Snack Bar Owner: Do accounting at a snack bar, it’s snack accounting.
Kim Chang-sik: ?
Even ones denying the new reality.
“Total chaos pot.”
Good game or not, it was captivating. Broadcasters inside Revenge had skyrocketed compared to before.
As I glanced around, players’ eyes started turning my way.
Gip: Killians…… ah! It’s Han Jaeyeon! Whoa, check it. That’s the new class Dimension Wanderer, right?
Alix: That staff’s mythic gear too. Ugh, just one of those and I’d be set.
Pay-to-Win Lady: How much did that char cost? Terrifying.
Familiar whispers from users. I ignored them, sorting inventory.
[All hail. The 29th Myth has been born here and now.]
[His name is Invincible Ironman.]
[For the next 24 hours, all hunting grounds grant 100% EXP buffs.]
[Repeating: The 29th myth has been born here and now.]
Sudden global announcement froze everyone.
Gip: Who’s Invincible Ironman? Some player like that?
Alix: Wait, 29th? Insane. Mythics were only synthable by Fire Point Castle Lord……
Poseidon: What’s new? Trend now is dropping 10 billion on high-class cards to mythic.
Alix: Exactly! Is that even right? 10 billion on class cards! And after……
[King of Lightning. Thunder cleaving the skies.]
[Thunder God. Bird of bolts.]
[Thunderbird (Mythic)]
Alix: And after…… you pull mythic pets and guardians too……
Poseidon: Whoa, chaining mythics? Newbie user?
Stunned crowds. But it didn’t stop.
[A great fragment of myth is complete.]
[It rivals the world in phase.]
[Invincible Ironman has completed Plate Armor. Heavenly Rampart (Mythic)+9!]
Alix: What the……
Gip: Pulling gear sitting down too?
[A great fragment of myth is complete.]
[It rivals the world in phase.]
[Invincible Ironman has completed Plate Helmet. Heavenly Vista (Mythic)+9!]
Slave of Ilseong: What is this? Makes sense? He Ilseong chairman or what?
Alix: Crazy……
Gip: Where’s he pulling? Let’s spectate!
Familiar hype for me.
‘People reacted the same when I pulled my class.’
Difference: I was game vet; this was a newbie storming pay-to-win.
Staring at the screen, a chuckle escaped.
“Doing great…….”
Most of Revenge’s massive influx were penny-pinchers bloating servers uselessly, but they created vast grazing fields drawing whale pay-to-winners.
This storming newbie was proof of that environment.
Meeting universe-spanning folks via game login? Not trivial.
‘Take those ads.’
[Leading the cosmos. Ilseong Electronics.]
[Invincible Gigas. Invincible Corporation. Huanung Company]
Billboards on buildings everywhere. Real-world ads in-game? Proof this wasn’t just a pay-to-win anymore.
“Anyway.”
I scanned the city, then opened friends list.
Killians (whisper): Merlin. Reply if you see this.
Didn’t expect instant response. Revenge was auto-farm central.
But it came right away.
Emris (whisper): Killians, Han Jaeyeon. Confirmed. What’s your question?
Killians (whisper): ? Merlin?
Emris (whisper): Secretary persona Emris here. Master’s busy, delegated character training to me.
“No way…….”
Nemesis would flip. Revenge was auto-heavy; it’d make the game pointless.
‘Must have bank-level security built-in.’
But on second thought, no surprise from him now.
Killians (whisper): Hm. Need to ask something—when can we talk?
Emris (whisper): Can’t confirm. But he left a message.
Killians (whisper): Can I hear it?
Emris (whisper): Detected Authority stat acquisition. Game system origin, but info spread universe-wide. Two of them? Bad luck draws Emperor classes’ eyes. Want achievements for training, but stay cautious. End.
“Ah, no secrets after all.”
Knew the universe had tons of weird detection powers, but Emperor classes noticing just Authority stats? Wild.
One odd bit, though.
Killians (whisper): What’s this about achievements for training?