Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: The Governor of Mechania
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A golden light swirled once above my head.
Gawain and Park Gyuhwan, whom I'd left at the hunting grounds, must be hunting diligently.
* * * * *
● Status Window
Name: Kim Cheonjae
Job: Necromancer
Level: 70
Health: 840/840
Mana: 283/283
Stamina: 57+16 Attack: 60+17
Defense: 49+14 Speed: 57+16
▶ Revive (Mana Cost: 3)
-Resurrects as many dead as the caster's level, turning them into undead.
▶ Skeleton Summon (Mana Cost: 2)
-Summons skeleton warriors using bones as medium, equal to the caster's level.
▶ Iron Maiden (Curse)
(Mana Cost: 10 per enemy)
-Transparent thorns attach to the bodies of cursed enemies.
[Trait Unlocked]
▷ Soul Ring (Stat Sharing)
-Applies a soul ring to one leader summon, sharing stats.
[(Player + Summon)/2 = Bonus]
* * * * *
A smile crept across my face as I looked at the status window.
Including the scythe and Soul Ring buffs, all my stats were over sixty.
Even in physical combat.
I'd be weaker than combat jobs with equivalent stats, but this was enough power to easily overpower anyone below that level.
I was getting closer to the kind of necromancer I'd always aimed to be.
Not some typical necromancer who relied solely on summons, but a powerhouse who could hold their own in direct battle.
“…… So, you're saying I'm the Opener, just like that statue?”
One of the young men among the residents replied.
['Young Man' now has high trust toward you.]
“Yes.”
I scratched my head.
I had no idea why they thought I was the Opener, but since it was technically correct, I couldn't deny it.
[Current surviving residents: 278]
Over a hundred residents had joined in one go. He'd told me to save over three hundred, so as long as nothing major happened, we'd hit the number.
The massive statue standing before me now. The one they called the 'Opener'...
It looked nothing like me.
And for any long-time player of this game, Land of Ruin: Last Game, it was instantly recognizable.
'The man known as the strongest warrior in the game. The legendary berserker, Yoo Ohseong.'
Why was his statue here?
I'd been the closest to being the Opener in the game.
'No way...'
Doubts flooded my mind.
I asked the young man,
“What was that fairy tale you mentioned earlier?”
“Oh! The fairy tale I told you about... It's a local folktale here. If kids don't listen to the adults, monsters appear and eat people, and then a hero called the 'Opener' shows up to save the city...”
The tale he described matched this round's storyline exactly.
The Opener slays the giant, and the story ends.
But I couldn't figure out why they'd pegged me as the protagonist.
There were clearly two groups here.
Me,
and Jo Younggi.
‘......Well, face-wise, I guess I am the protagonist.'
One of them had to be the villain.
“So. You've been waiting for the Opener to come save you?”
“......Yes.”
I let out a sigh.
Their behavior—waiting for some uncertain savior—seemed pathetic.
“Where have you been hiding until now?”
“We're sorry.”
“No, I'm not blaming you. I'm asking how you've survived in a city like this.”
“How we've survived...”
The residents started exchanging glances.
They seemed reluctant to speak.
No one answered.
“Why's everyone silent? Did you commit some crime or something?”
“N-No! It's not that. It's just... embarrassing how we've been living...”
I don't pry if someone doesn't want to talk. It's not about manners; I'm just tired of dragging out conversations.
But this was different.
I needed to know how the story had changed, so I pressed.
“It's fine, just tell me.”
“......”
“If you won't talk, we'll just leave. Then there's no Opener or anything.”
The young man answered reluctantly.
“We've... been living underground.”
“Underground?”
“Yes. In the sewers.”
I shrugged.
“What's embarrassing about that? You hid from the giants, right?”
“Sort of...”
The young man didn't continue. Even when I asked other residents, they only repeated that they'd lived underground.
Macros, maybe.
Finishing the conversation, I asked the young man again,
“What are your plans now?”
“......Could we follow you, Opener?”
“Follow me?”
“Yes!”
At his question, the residents brightened up.
I had no intention of taking them along.
“No. It's dangerous.”
“Staying here is just as dangerous!”
“The danger's on a different level. You'd have to keep facing those monsters we just fought. You okay with that?”
“Of course.”
“Of course? Then why'd you just watch while I fought the giant earlier?”
“......”
The residents' health bars were a thin, short red line.
Even if defense was whatever, their stamina was too low for combat.
Better to leave them here than risk casualties by bringing them.
My storyline plan was to keep the residents alive anyway.
“Anyway, hide in a safe spot and wait. Head to that factory over there—our soldiers should be following.”
“Soldiers... We don't trust them! Please, take us with you.”
The young man answered too firmly. I got why they distrusted soldiers after the previous story events, but No Hyoman's unit was different, and they wouldn't listen.
I grabbed the young man's shoulder and continued.
“I said no. Sorry, but I don't have the spare capacity to protect you.”
“......”
“And I'm not a hero. I just came here for business.”
The young man bowed his head.
His face darkened.
“What kind of business?”
I glanced at the towering spire in the city center.
“You don't need to know. I'm heading to the tower.”
“The tower...”
“No nonsense. If you don't want to die, go to the factory like I said.”
“......”
Boom-!
Another giant's footsteps echoed from nearby.
The vibration was even stronger than the beholder's.
As the ground shook, the residents grew agitated. Some believed I'd slay the giant, others wanted to flee.
The young man who'd spoken to me looked anxiously toward the sound.
“Again... that thing...”
“Hey, before you all die, do as I say. Jo Younggi!”
Jo Younggi looked at me.
“Yeah?”
“Take these people and evacuate everyone to the factory.”
“You?”
“I'll search the tower, then come back.”
“......What about my reward-”
“No reward, you bastard! We're clearing the event together—what reward?”
Jo Younggi grinned awkwardly.
“Got it.”
“And after evacuating everyone... you know, right?”
“......Got it.”
* * * * *
After evacuating the residents to the underground sewers, we headed to Mechania's center.
The mechanical tower with 101 floors.
We stood before it, witnessing the control tower's power.
A creature larger than the giant we'd all teamed up to kill approached the tower.
It was about the height of a four-story villa, yet it couldn't hold up and knelt.
“......Impressive.”
As we neared the tower, high-voltage currents flowed, followed by missile turret strikes that devastated it.
Without even targeting vitals, its health plummeted in seconds.
Jeongwoo asked quietly,
“You sure you'll be okay alone?”
“......Yeah. Once I'm inside the tower, find the hidden residents and send them to the factory.”
“Got it. Be careful.”
“Yeah.”
Boom!
Seeing the giant's health hit zero, I walked toward the tower.
Step. Step. Step. Step.
As I got closer, one of the tower's sentries called out. He was clad head to toe in a white suit.
“Freeze, or I'll shoot.”
I raised both hands to show no hostility.
One of the sentries guarding the entrance approached and asked,
“You human?”
“Yeah.”
“Where you from? Never seen clothes like that.”
“......From beyond the gate.”
The sentry jolted at my answer.
“Beyond the gate?!”
“Yeah.”
“Beyond the gate where?”
“South Korea, a ruined village.”
“South Korea... Never heard of it, but wait here.”
“Yeah.”
The sentry went back.
He entered what looked like an elevator and contacted someone.
Through the window, it seemed like a wired call.
'Wireless is jammed, huh.'
Finishing the call, the sentry returned with paper and pen.
“Entry fee's ten thousand Jenny. Proceed?”
“Entry fee... Ten thousand just to enter?”
“Yep.”
Expensive.
Just for entry.
“......I'll go in.”
No choice.
Couldn't progress the event without entering.
I'd already gone broke paying Jo Younggi his reward.
“Whew-.”
[Remaining Jenny: 1,200]
Down to beggar status.
Seventh round had so many places to spend, and this happens.
‘......Gotta collect some tribute.'
After paying, the sentry led me inside. He swiped the card key around his neck at the entrance, and the thick steel doors slid open.
Creeeak.
The tower's interior came into view.
It looked like a lab where a tokusatsu mad scientist would build weird machines.
A constant 'beep-beep-beep' echoed from above—like the sound of an old bike bell.
The tower's layout was simple enough for anyone to memorize at a glance.
A long corridor with rooms zigzagging along both sides.
Following the sentry, I peeked curiously into an open room.
It was like a cheap motel's single room from the '80s.
A TV, bedding, and bathroom.
No idea what they charged to stay there, but a fluorescent light glowed over a bizarre framed painting.
“Hey.”
“What?”
“How much for a room there?”
“......First floor's 1,500 Jenny per night.”
This guy's insane?
Charging 1,500 for a room like that?
Clearly hundreds per floor.
In a tower over 100 floors?
I shook my head involuntarily.
The sentry scowled at me.
“What? You picking a fight?”
“N-No.”
I avoided his gaze.
The sentry 'tch'ed, furrowed his brows, and started walking again.
Ding-dong.
A silver elevator arrived.
When the doors opened, a guide stood inside.
No—a guide robot.
“What floor shall I take you to?”
The sentry replied,
“101st floor, to the Governor's room.”
“Understood.”
The doors closed.
High-speed elevator; my stomach churned as it started moving. The floor numbers on the display shot up.
1, 2, 3, 34, 57, 89, 101.
Ding-dong.
Arrived in seconds.
Cold air rushed in as the doors opened—AC on full blast.
Totally different from the sauna-like outside.
The sentry shoved my back.
“Go in. And a warning: don't be rude to the Governor unless you wanna die.”
“......”
I didn't reply.
Just stared into the sentry's eyes.
As I stood there blankly, a raspy voice came from inside the room.
“Heh heh. Come on in.”
The sentry bowed deeply in shock.
“G-Governor! I've brought the outsider as reported.”
I looked toward where he bowed.
‘......So it's him.'
A man in a white beret and military uniform, with an eyepatch.
His Hitler-esque mustache stood out.
“Greetings! I am Kim Suhyun, Governor of this place, Mechania.”