The Abyss (1)
The world had undergone a new revolution. This unprecedented event, later dubbed the Awakened Revolution by future generations, was something never before seen in human history. The Rift Eruption. Though only 1★ and 2★ disasters had poured out, the casualties were staggering. Most of the victims were ordinary civilians—bystanders who had chosen not to become players. Through this catastrophe, the government learned it could no longer control the new world order with conventional authority. Only the Awakened, those within the same system, could handle the disasters. They could no longer afford to ignore reality. So the government chose co-optation.
“So you want me to catch this dog-looking monster?”
“Yes. You are the only one who can do it, Yu Junseo-nim.”
Just a week ago, Yu Junseo had been a social service agent. Overnight, he had become a man wielding new power. For someone who loved games, the world’s transformation was rather delightful. He collected disasters as if playing a game. With two 2★ disasters at his back, Yu Junseo stood out even among the Awakened whose locations the government had confirmed. The round, cone-shaped spear he carried was the result of synthesizing every Forest Imp obtained from the eruption. It was far more efficient and powerful than conventional weapons.
“This dog has killed thousands. I hear its name is the Hellfire Watchdog.”
“Hmm…”
At the government official’s report, Yu Junseo tilted his head. He couldn’t understand how a monster the size of a large dog could have killed thousands. But that was what disasters were. Even the 2★ disasters Yu Junseo had collected had only been subdued after killing over a dozen Awakened.
“At least a 3★ disaster, then. Or maybe 4★?”
“…I believe you would know best, Awakened-nim.”
“You want me to kill this thing alone?”
“No. Civilian Awakened and military Awakened will provide supporting fire. If there is anything else you require…”
“What do I get if I kill it?”
Yu Junseo asked bluntly. The government official studied his expression. Not long ago, this man had been bullied by civil servants while doing his public service duty. Now he was speaking down to high-ranking officials and standing in the position of power. The pleasure was enough to split his mouth in a grin.
The official stammered, “The National Assembly recently passed the Awakened Certification System.”
“National Assembly? You mean that tower that shot up? Since when did the honorable assemblymen become monsters?”
“Not that one. We established a temporary National Assembly building.”
“Of course you did. So what does that have to do with my reward?”
“In the near future, the government plans to establish an Awakened Management Bureau. The role of its first director…”
“You want someone who used to be public service fodder to become the government’s lapdog again?”
“N-no! That would be unthinkable!”
Yu Junseo chuckled and patted the official’s shoulder. “Relax, old man. I was joking. Why so tense?”
“Ah, ahaha… ha.”
“Fine. I’ll take the director position or whatever. Just make sure the money’s good. And since I’ll be catching at least five 2★ disasters in the next eruption, send troops too. Then I’ll think about it.”
“Understood. I’ll contact my superiors…”
“Approve it right now. Otherwise I’m going home.”
“Y-yes, of course.”
Yu Junseo smiled inwardly. The taste of power. He had no intention of giving it up easily.
‘If I eat a 4★ disaster, I could even aim for the presidency, couldn’t I?’
Yu Junseo genuinely believed it.
Even in the Abyss, signals seemed to reach. I sighed as I scrolled through the headlines on my phone.
‘Is this what they call an apocalypse?’
It wasn’t just Korea—the entire world had been devastated. Some nationalist YouTubers were even proudly claiming that Korea’s damage was relatively light, and their videos were appearing in recommendations. Though only 1★ or 2★ disasters had appeared, the destruction was immense. Whether conventional weapons or not, the disasters mocked human civilization. In the end, only those within the same system—the Awakened—could deal with them.
Especially the 4★ disaster that had appeared in Seoul, the Hellfire Watchdog, had devoured over a thousand people and was now coiled atop Namsan. Just yesterday, I had nearly died to it as well.
‘How did that thing even appear?’
It was the first Rift Eruption, yet a 4★ disaster had emerged. That was abnormal. It shouldn’t have been possible even in the game. For a 4★ disaster to appear from an eruption, the base would have needed to be upgraded almost to maximum. Suddenly, a suspicion formed.
‘Selene.’
The Hellfire Watchdog had trembled in fear at the sight of the Scorched Saint Selene. That meant it had some connection to her. Perhaps the Hellfire Watchdog had originally been part of the dungeon, the Abyss. After all, both were fire-attribute disasters. In the end, this catastrophe had been caused by the dungeon boss running away, hadn’t it? And the cause was none other than me. Selene coming out to see me had resulted in hundreds of deaths.
“…Hah.”
The guilt wasn’t that heavy. Maybe because it still didn’t feel real. I didn’t even feel like I had committed a sin. But it was clear that the Scorched Saint Selene was a being who caused absurd casualties just by walking around. I turned my head and glanced at Selene. She was kneeling at the exit of the Abyss, hands clasped in prayer. She hadn’t moved an inch, making me wonder if she was dead, but the flames flickering around her rose and fell like breathing. She seemed to be standing guard. It felt excessive.
‘Should I really take her with me?’
I had been agonizing over it all day. No matter how much I thought about it, there was only one answer.
‘Of course I should take her.’
A 5★ disaster was nearly impossible to obtain even in Disaster Order. It had taken me two years of playing before I finally got Selene. Now that the game had become reality, the value of a 5★ character was beyond any number. I couldn’t leave her behind. And there was only one way to collect Selene.
Would you like to set this location as your base?
[Y / N]
I placed my hand on the Y button. A cheerful chime rang out.
Setting current location as base.
Current ruler ‘Actor’-nim’s location is the dungeon 「Abyss」.
The dungeon 「Abyss」 has been set as your base!
With those words, the previously locked Base Management menu opened in the status window.
A base is the first step in Disaster Order.
Use the Base Management menu to organize your disasters and issue orders for expeditions, synthesis, and enhancement.
You can strengthen your base by collecting Exp.
I tapped the Base Organization tab. In the slot was the portrait of the Scorched Saint Selene, rendered in SD dot graphics.
‘My first character is a 5★…’
It was like having a cheat code. I tapped Selene’s portrait. The information window that appeared listed the equipment she currently possessed.
4☆ Rosary of Corruption
5☆ Shell of the Dead God
‘Even the equipment carried over.’
I almost laughed. The Scorched Saint Selene was a fire-attribute character specialized in burst damage. I had equipped her with expensive gear accordingly, and even now that the game had become reality, it remained intact. Meanwhile, in the bottom right of the Base Management menu, my current experience points were displayed.
Current Exp: 3375Exp
The amount of experience was also suspiciously high. It was physically impossible to gather this much Exp from the first eruption.
‘I’ll save it for now.’
There was no reason to spend Exp at the moment. With only Selene as my disaster, I couldn’t increase my collection. Synthesis and enhancement were impossible. The only option was to send her on expeditions, but there was nowhere to send her.
‘No, wait.’
There was somewhere. The internet article I had just read came to mind. Disaster Order wasn’t a game where the player ran around themselves. It was a game where you sent your subordinate disasters on expeditions to farm items. Lower-grade disasters required the ruler character to accompany them, but the one loyal to me was a highest-grade disaster of which only seven existed even in the game. That meant…
“Selene.”
After clearing my throat and calling her name, she turned around instantly. In the blink of an eye, Selene was right in front of me.
“My Lord, did you call for me?”
Her body, covered in burn scars, had patches of unblemished skin visible between her ash-gray hair, glowing like white jade in the red flames. I nearly lost my gaze but forced myself to focus.
“…Selene. Do you remember the Hellfire Watchdog we saw yesterday?”
“Yes. It was the guard dog at the entrance of the Abyss. I took it in because it seemed pitiful, wandering without a home.”
So it really had been a disaster of the Abyss. My suspicion turned into certainty. Either way, the Hellfire Watchdog was a 4★ fire-attribute disaster. Having it early on would be useful for a long time.
“Ahem. If I ordered you to capture it, would you obey?”
“Shall I go now?”
Selene nodded as if it were obvious. Then she bit her lip gently and spoke.
“But My Lord, please promise me one thing.”
“…Speak.”
“I will obey any command you give. If you tell me to kill, I will kill. If you tell me to die, I will die. But please, I beg you—promise me you will never leave again. Promise you will stay here. If I have no My Lord, if I have nowhere to lean on…”
Selene trailed off and pressed her lips shut.
“…That was presumptuous of me. It is not something someone like me should worry about.”
“…”
What was I supposed to do? This was overwhelming. Her loyalty was so deep it was burdensome. I couldn’t even relax in my own base. But for now, it was best to play along with Selene’s rhythm. I could learn more about her gradually.
“I won’t leave.”
Selene’s shoulders trembled. Her red eyes glistened.
“…So don’t worry and carry out the order.”
“I accept your command.”
Selene dissolved into particles and vanished. She had left the Abyss. The oppressive feeling disappeared with her. Only then did I relax my stiff body and lie down.
“Whew, now I can finally breathe.”
With a sigh, I opened my phone screen.
A new news article had appeared while I was managing the base. In the photo, a man with two 2★ Embers Foxes at his sides wore a sly smile.
“…Well, it should be fine.”
What could possibly go wrong? I swallowed the budding anxiety.