Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Spam Mail
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The brokers' network, huh... Yeah, that makes sense.
Hackers operating not just in Paju but nationwide hack into networks everywhere, leaking info all over the place.
There are plenty of freelance hackers, and even full-on hacker guilds. Neuro Kids was one of their names, right?
Since I wasn't saying much, Tudor got all excited and kept going.
"It's not just the brokers' network—your story's blowing up across every community, legit and shady alike. Unknown origin, unknown identity, unknown abilities—who the hell is he? Pull a few more strings, and you'll be the most famous rookie fixer to debut this year."
I handled it flashily, but it's gotten even noisier than I thought.
Luckily, Tudor seems totally smitten with me, and if word's spread this far, it'll be a huge help in finding clues to escape this [Cthulhu World].
"Might as well lean into the fame—it'll make it easier to get jobs, right? I hate doing that kind of promo myself, so can you handle it?"
"Ah, sure thing. I've been ignoring the other brokers poking me in the ribs, but if you like it flashy, I'll crank it up to eleven for you~."
Tudor rubbed his hands together with theatrical flair. He loves the drama, so he'll take care of it.
We went back to the office where I'd taken the previous job. He sat me down and fiddled with the safe behind his desk.
"Didn't expect you back this quick. I really like you."
"Gotta move fast to get paid fast."
Tudor nodded and pulled out the cash.
"Here—after the 10% fee, that's 27 million won. Cash is fine, but I can do other forms if you want."
Sure, there's a cut, but they can swap it for goods or services, or launder it into a dummy account.
Most brokers offer that, but Tudor's got the widest range.
"Get me an ID and an account in that name. And for the balance... I'll take 5 million now. Dump whatever's left into that account later."
"Hmm, how clean on the ID?"
"Just name it Kim Shin-hwa, and make it as spotless as you can afford."
"Got it. I'll make one so clean you could take the civil service exam with it."
I wanted a safehouse too, but I can't swing it with this cash.
Guess I'm motel-hopping for a bit.
I grabbed a stack worth 5 million from the piles and stood up.
"See you around."
"I'll have the ID and bankbook ready by next month. Don't make me wait too long—I might miss you."
I left the cafe, brushing off Tudor's cheeky line.
Chilly night air brushed past me. I glanced up at the sky unconsciously... and it felt utterly alien.
The constellations were arrayed in positions totally unlike what I remembered, gleaming with eerie, unholy light.
An indescribable unease welled up in my chest.
'This isn't the world I lived in.'
No matter how many incidents I solve here, only ruin awaits me.
Earn money, boost stats and levels... build fame bit by bit, then uncover this world's truth.
And escape this horrific, dangerous place.
I can't stay here forever. I have to get out somehow.
Dragging my feet will just bring the [Ending] crashing down.
There are hundreds of [Endings] I could reach, but none of them happy.
Just gruesome ruin, bitter despair, unbelievable downfall, profane curses.
This world has an end.
The day the world's cycle stops.
The day the abyss's maw opens.
Thinking about what happens in the [Ending] made my vision blur.
[□□□□ □□□□ □□□□□]
Everything's hazy. A message window? What does it say?
But does it even matter what's written?
Soon, the time of ruin will come.
The day the ninety-nine kings wandering this realm descend upon the land, the day that blameless, great, and more evil than any other awakens from eternal slumber, the day beings beyond the abyss swarm like possessed vermin devouring all, the day humanity's works crumble in the name of hunger, the day all shores plunge beneath filthy sludge—that day, when all the universe is happily ruled under blessings of malice and madness.
That day will come. That day will come. That day will come. That day will come. That day will come. That day will come. That day will come. That day will come. That day will come. That day will come. That day will come. That day will come. That day will come. That day will come. That day will come. That day will come. That day will come.
Bzzzzt—
[System: Exclusive trait 'Abyssal Madness' activates. Nullifies delusion effect.]
My thoughts dragged on too long. My head feels like it's gonna explode.
Recalling what could happen in the [Ending] made me unconsciously glimpse the true forms of beings I shouldn't.
Horrors that can shatter a human mind just by envisioning them.
I've already defied the will of the [Black Goat that Begets Madness] and caught the eye of the [Living Flame].
The deeper the story goes, the more likely I'll face them.
Anyway, I can't stay in this mad world. I have to escape, no matter what.
'But... not right now...'
I need a break first.
I played it cool in front of Tudor, but my body's at its limit.
Once I recover, I'll find that artifact to boost my health, as planned.
* * *
Even on my second night in the [Cthulhu World], I had to endure a nightmare.
I know it's a dream, but I can't wake up by will alone.
The madness lodged in my subconscious channels their will from beyond...
- I have fallen into a void where nothing exists.
- A hollow space devoid of light, sound, smell, touch, taste—utterly empty, meaningless.
- There, with me, my soul, body, mind, sins, powers, memories, past—
- A truly immense, immense, immense being dwells. A star vast, vast, and vast, shining beautifully, dazzlingly, radiantly.
- It is the gaping maw of a ravenous beast,
- Crimson eyes blazing with ferocious intensity,
- Blazing wrath to purify all existence.
- We must be kindling for Him. We must be the vanguard beacons blazing for His feats. We must be the first sparks leaping to burn the world. We must burn. Burn ourselves as offerings to Him. We must be offerings. We must be offerings.
Bzzzzt—
[System: Exclusive trait 'Abyssal Madness' activates. Nullifies nightmare effect.]
"What a load of crap..."
My head's still ringing. Nausea's hitting hard.
[Living Flame].
He's the fire demon-god, an exploding supernova with divinity, lord of raw violence.
I borrowed his power for that spell last night, and now he's got his eye on me.
Normally, it'd be Cthulhu's 'R'lyehan Nightmare' event, but he shoved it aside to pour his will into my head himself.
The game had similar events, but nothing like this.
This shouldn't happen easily... Probably used his power through the [Corrupted Ring of Flame].
'Gotta take the ring off before bed...'
Gotta bust through the dream horde or whatever~ What the hell, spam mail bullshit.
Not funny, though. Without [Abyssal Madness], that nightmare alone would've turned me into a fanatic or a vegetable.
No guarantee it'll protect me forever, and if more monsters take interest like this, who knows what happens.
I have to get out of this world.
'To do that, I need to get stronger fast.'
"Ugh..."
Still, my boosted stats let me drag myself out of bed.
I ruffled my messy hair and went to touch my face... but hit the mask.
"Ah, this sucks too. Gotta shake off this Mask Obsession..."
Deep breaths to calm down, then slowly removed the mask and washed up.
Mask in one hand, of course. Drop it from sight, and delusion hits.
Tests showed it's not instant if just a moment.
Covering my face with hand or towel buys more time.
Washing up or eating's doable.
Towel over my face instead of mask, I did some stretches.
Crunch, crack...
Worth the health and strength boosts. Not fully fixed, but way more lively.
Tossed the dented white mask from yesterday's heat and pulled out a new one.
Good thing I bought multiples.
Yesterday's was plain white; this is a goofy skull mask. Same cheap plastic.
Package says [Spooky Skull Mask].
"Sigh... seriously..."
Can't keep wearing this junk forever. Need a proper one soon.
Slap it on—Spooky or not, it calms me.
Unease, irritation, anxiety, stuffiness, dizziness fade. Pure calm.
Feels like a nicotine hit for a sec.
'Ugh... this'll drive me insane for real.'
Sun's high outside already. Not going out today.
Pushed too hard yesterday; time to rest and sort my stuff.
Pulled items from my backpack one by one.
[Essence of Fire (A-grade Catalyst): Crystal of pure crimson element.
Imbues fire power into items or fuels powerful flame spells.]
[Crimson Dragon's Orb (A-grade Talisman): Orb forged from a fire dragon's breath.
Fire Ward: Auto-casts 'Flame Barrier' spell
Remaining uses: 5]
Not sure when I'll use the Essence, but the orb's meh.
Checked its mana—better to cast my own protection spell than rely on this.
'And an A-grade artifact with use limits?'
Fine for non-mages, but whatever.
'Better to sell it.'
Survival items fetch good prices. This ain't full survival gear, but should net 3-4 mil at least.
Set the Essence and Orb on the table, grabbed the next item.