Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: The Angel's Prophecy
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A day had passed in the quarantine facility.
A soldier clutching a bundle of keys came down the stairs.
Creeeak.
Thud.
The iron bars swung open.
“Thank you.”
“No problem. Major Kim Juncheol said to contact headquarters if you need anything.”
“Got it.”
He released everyone gathered in the underground quarantine area.
-Once everyone’s ready, please move to the surface.
Yoo Sora came running toward me from the room across the hall.
Thud thud thud thud.
“Cheonjae!”
“Sora, good work.”
“Good work? The investigation was nothing! Just questions like where we came from and if we’d been in contact with Z Virus infectees. Super basic stuff.”
Michael and Jeongwoo were walking slowly from the opposite end of the hallway, deep in conversation.
From their stiff expressions, it looked serious.
I wonder what they’re talking about.
I strolled over and playfully threw my arm around Jeongwoo’s neck.
“Hey, punk. Didn’t you say you wanted to kiss someone like IU?”
“Shut up! I thought I was going crazy stuck in there because of that asshole.”
“What? Aren’t you the mighty warrior Jeongwoo oppa?”
“Oppa my ass… damn…”
Michael shook his backpack as he approached me, flashing a bright smile.
“Cheonjae Kim!”
“Michael. You did good too.”
“Nahh. Everyone treated me great once I did what Cheonjae Kim said.”
Everyone’s condition was good.
We made it to the third-round village without any issues.
Jeongwoo glanced at Jo Youngki’s face, then hurried up the stairs.
“Let’s go quick!”
“Uh, yeah, sure.”
I turned back toward Jo Youngki and Kim Yeonhee.
“We’ll head up first.”
Jo Youngki rasped in a gravelly voice.
“Yeah. We’ll be up soon.”
Kim Yeonhee dusted off her skirt and winked at me.
“Mister. No causing trouble till we meet again!”
“Don’t talk like you’re my in-law. Check the pub if anything comes up.”
“Pub?”
“Yeah. Pub. Planning to get lodging there.”
“Why a pub instead of an inn?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“…Whatever, it doesn’t concern me. Got it!”
I gave a casual wave after the exchange and headed up from the basement.
Outside the quarantine facility, I saw more players milling about the village than I’d expected.
This ruined village, called ‘Utopia’ in Land of Ruin.
It had the largest number of soldiers guarding it, and no strong monsters appeared nearby, making it the safest spot.
I’d heard the devs had shrunk an ancient Babylonian kingdom and recreated it in modern style…
“Jeongwoo. Spot any decent-looking players, let me know. I’ll handle the negotiations myself.”
“What jobs do we need right now?”
“…Sniper or archer. Or mage.”
“If you’re recruiting a mage, wouldn’t it be better to bring Chakan i?”
“Why? To kiss her?” “Bullshit! She’s the most useful one we know.”
I shook my head.
“No can do. Can’t travel with someone who knows our secret.”
“…Fair point.”
As we headed east, Yoo Sora stuck close to my side. Michael and Jeongwoo brought up the rear, watching ahead for us.
Just in case of attacks from other players.
People wandered near the peaceful, ruined plaza.
Water sprayed from the angel-shaped fountain, swaying in the breeze.
I walked up to the fountain.
[Shall you toss in a Jenny?]
[YES] OR [NO]
“YES.”
[5 Jenny used]
[Jenny remaining: 6,495]
A gold coin materialized in my palm.
I tossed it high, letting it plop into the fountain’s center.
Ting ting ting ting!
Splash!
The statue glowed.
[Today’s fortune: A tough situation awaits. You cannot overcome it alone.]
My brow furrowed.
‘What the hell?’
The ‘Angel’s Prophecy,’ which usually said only nice things, had given me something ominous.
[A tough situation.]
[You cannot overcome it alone.]
No one would call that a good fortune. An ill omen hung in the air.
As I stood there silently, Jeongwoo asked.
“What’d it say?”
“‘A tough situation awaits. You cannot overcome it alone.’ Is there something even I can’t handle solo?”
“Yeah. Like licking your own elbow.”
“Ah, come on… you little shit… that’s not what I meant.”
Jeongwoo pinched his nose and grinned sheepishly.
“Kidding. But… that fountain’s prophecy hits over 99% of the time, so watch out.”
“Yeah…”
“‘Tough situation’ sticks out. What could happen in this village?”
“No monsters if we stay inside, so it’s like saying hole up in the village.”
“Hmm… Let’s all play it safe today then.”
Yoo Sora clapped her hands, gazing at the angel fountain.
“So beautiful…”
Michael let out an awed sigh.
“Fuckin’ beautiful…”
It looked totally different from in-game. I hadn’t realized the village was this gorgeous.
The buildings were stunning, belying the ‘ruined village’ name.
One flaw: the JuX apartment complex encircling the village outskirts. Guess they couldn’t erase those for concept reasons.
We sat by the fountain, silently surveying the surroundings.
Even a short time in the village center let us gauge the player count roughly.
“…Jeongwoo.”
“Yeah?”
“Remember your first time in Land of Ruin?”
Jeongwoo scratched his head.
“That was ages ago. No way I remember.”
“…We were here in this plaza trying to form a group. Chatting all day.”
“Did we?”
“Yeah. Kept dying without a healer.”
“Wow… You remember that?”
I chuckled awkwardly and continued.
“Hey, we even begged for Jenny. Asked passersby for just 10.”
“We were total pains in the ass.”
“But we ended up as one of the top players.”
“…Wonder if we can do it here too.”
Plop. Plop. Plop plop.
Raindrops suddenly fell from the sky. Having a feel for the area by now, I led everyone to the east pub.
Roughly over a hundred players in this village. No clue who’d cleared up to which round or when they started.
But one thing was clear: no one I’d seen here had reached the late game.
Their gear gave it away.
* * * * *
I arrived at the east pub soaked from the rain, grabbed a corner seat, and called out to the owner behind the bar.
“One single room two. One double room. How much for ten days?”
“Singles are 100 Jenny a day. Doubles 150 a day. That comes to… 3,500 Jenny.”
“What?! That expensive?”
“Expensive? With rooms scarce in the village, this is cheap.”
Total rip-off.
In-game, it never exceeded 10 Jenny a day even at full capacity.
“Whew… Any discount? Seems too steep.”
The owner turned his back and started wiping a glass.
“No haggling.”
“…Understood. I’ll check with my team and come back.”
“Sure, suit yourself.”
I moved back to where the group was gathered.
“…Ma Jeongwoo.”
Ma Jeongwoo, shaking rain from his clothes, replied.
“Huh? Oh, yeah. What?”
“Singles 100 Jenny a day. Doubles 150. No haggling.”
“100 Jenny for ten days? That’s a steal!”
“No, 100 a day.”
“What?!”
Jeongwoo scowled at the owner. Fair reaction— even near full in-game, it was 30 Jenny.
“Why so pricey?”
“No idea. Says rooms are short. Wonder about other pubs.”
“Sigh… Want me to check others?”
“Yeah. Let’s split up and scout.”
Ma Jeongwoo took north.
Michael south.
Me west.
Yoo Sora stayed here as comms.
“Sora. If anyone hassles you or makes demands, hit the radio button and speak. Got it?”
“Yes.”
“Try it once.”
“Huh?”
“Do a radio test.”
“Oh… okay.”
Beep.
The radio activated.
“L-Like this…?”
Yoo Sora’s voice came from Michael’s waist.
“That’s right, Yoo Sora. Just like that.”
Michael handed Yoo Sora his pistol, grabbed a raincoat, and left with Jeongwoo.
I bought the cheapest vinyl raincoat and put it on.
“You’ve got plenty of Jenny, so eat if you’re hungry.”
“Yes. Be careful out there.”
A quick scan inside before leaving showed no threats.
Only option: check prices fast and return.
I opened the pub door to a torrent of rain. Rain like a grand sage had cast a spell.
“…Bad vibes from the start.”
As I was about to head out, the angel’s prophecy echoed in my mind.
‘…Should be fine if I don’t overdo it.’
* * * * *
I pushed through the rain to the west pub, opposite the east one.
The cheap raincoat failed— I was drenched.
Shaking my wet hair, I entered, and every player inside turned to stare.
All looked like street toughs ready for a brawl.
‘…’
Shouldn’t have come here.
Something’s about to go down.
Compared to the east pub, the west was packed with sketchy players.
No soldiers for policing nearby. And the unwritten rule allowed player kills.
Gotta save Jenny, no choice.
Edging inside cautiously, the cowboy-dressed owner at the bar spoke up.
“Pretty face like yours doesn’t seem the type to come here.”
I grinned and sat at the bar.
“…Just checking lodging rates.”
“How long you staying?”
“Ten days. Two singles. One double. Price?”
“Singles 50 a day. Double 100 a day. Do the math.”
2,000 total.
Not much cheaper than east pub.
Percentage-wise it looked better, but still a rip-off.
Disappointing after braving the rain.
“Room for haggling?”
“Nope. Rooms are tight—no deals.”
“Not even a little?”
The cowboy owner wiped his gun barrel with a linen cloth and said.
“Nope.”
Why linen on a gun barrel?
Reading his sour expression, I wrapped up and prepared to leave.
No point dragging it out.
Step. Step. Step. Step.
As I headed for the exit.
Swish—
A thick hand shot out, blocking my path.
“Hey. Take a look at me for a sec?”