Chapter 181
Chapter 181
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 181
Chapter Title: The Shop and a Sinister Plan
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Lee Si-woo's party arrived at the Testament using a teleportation ring.
A luxurious living room reminiscent of a hotel suite and a bedroom with a comfortable atmosphere.
Seeing the conference room with its neat interior, Lee Si-woo and his companions could finally relax.
Plenitas's eyes sparkled like a girl on vacation at a resort as she spoke.
“What is this place? I don't think I've ever seen a place like this since entering the world of trials. Oh, there's a kitchen too?”
Seeing the kitchen filled with all sorts of cooking utensils, an excited Plenitas went inside.
Glancing at Plenitas, who was humming as she took ingredients from the packed refrigerator and began to prepare them, Lee Si-woo asked the gray-haired woman who had appeared by his side.
“Kinis. Has anything happened?”
“Yes. Chapter 5 has collapsed.”
Kinis's tone was casual, as if it were nothing of consequence.
But the gravity of her words made Lee Si-woo’s eyebrows twitch.
“...Chapter 5 collapsed? That can't be right. I just cleared Chapter 4, didn't I? And the next Secret Chapter only opens when the previous chapter is cleared or collapses... Wait! Don't tell me... Chapter 5 got wiped out as soon as the Secret Chapter opened?”
“Originally, the Secret Chapters are designed to open only when you, Lee Si-woo, pull the trigger. The difficulty is also set assuming that a more developed Lee Si-woo would be present within the chapter.”
Grasping the point Kinis was trying to make, Lee Si-woo clicked his tongue softly and said.
“So, you're saying that because the Secret Chapter opened while I was absent, the users and NPCs of Chapter 5 couldn't hold out?”
“That is correct.”
“What on earth was the setting and story of Chapter 5 for it to end up in such a state?”
“I do not have the authority to speak to you about the chapters, so please find out for yourself in due time.”
Lee Si-woo crossed his arms with a serious expression, lost in thought.
When Chapter 3 collapsed and he went straight to Chapter 4, he had nearly lost his life.
In fact, if the more developed Si-woo hadn't been on the walls of the walled city, Lee Si-woo would have been as good as dead at that time.
The difficulty spiked so noticeably each time the chapter number changed.
Yes, to a degree that Lee Si-woo couldn't handle.
And that wasn't all.
Just as games naturally get harder in the later stages, the chapter difficulty would surely increase exponentially towards the end.
At this point, he couldn't even begin to imagine how difficult Chapter 6 would be.
‘Good grief, this already difficult situation has become an even bigger mess because of an error. Tsk, but what can I do? If I can't avoid it, I have to overcome it.’
The situation was bleak enough to feel hopeless, but it was something he had to conquer anyway. Deciding that negative thoughts were unhelpful, Lee Si-woo resolved to deal with the immediate issues one by one.
“Hoo, alright. I'll look into the matter of Chapter 5 later. More importantly, I obtained a key while clearing this chapter. Can I use this to open the second basement floor?”
After confirming the key, Kinis nodded.
“It is possible. Shall I open it for you right away?”
“Yes. Please proceed.”
As soon as Kinis took the key from Lee Si-woo, a *kiring* sound effect echoed, and the entire Testament vibrated faintly.
When the vibration, which lasted for three seconds, stopped, Kinis spoke.
“The second floor has been opened.”
Lee Si-woo nodded and spoke to his companions.
“You two rest here comfortably. I'm just going to pop down for a bit.”
Plenitas was busy cooking in the kitchen and barely seemed to hear him, while Luctator was already soaking in the bathtub of the bedroom's bathroom before Si-woo even told him to rest.
Not that Lee Si-woo was expecting a reply, he headed to the elevator with Kinis.
“What's on the second basement floor?”
“There is a Shop.”
“A shop? You mean a store?”
“Yes.”
“What does it sell, and what does it use as currency? I doubt it takes ordinary money.”
“The Shop sells everything you could possibly want, Lee Si-woo, and uses Kill Points as currency.”
“Kill Points... Hmm, sounds like a currency I can earn based on the white monsters I killed in the chapter.”
A faint smile graced Kinis's lips.
Perhaps because of her features, which could only be described as perfect, and her thick eyelashes, it was a smile so captivating it would make an ordinary man's heart ache.
“No. Kill Points are a currency that can only be obtained by killing users.”
Lee Si-woo's eyes narrowed.
“Users? You mean those who logged in from the outside?”
“Yes. That is correct.”
Lee Si-woo let out a dry laugh.
This world had, until now, operated with a structure similar to a game.
Cooperate with NPCs, defeat enemies, and clear chapters to receive rewards.
But to suddenly include users in the system?
And to do so by adding a currency that could only be obtained by killing them?
Noticing the malice ingrained in the system itself, Lee Si-woo’s lips twisted.
“It seems the Progenitor Demon wanted to know what kind of person I am now.”
As Lee Si-woo instantly discerned the reason for Kill Points being registered as a currency, Kinis covered her mouth with her hand and chuckled softly.
“As expected of you, Lee Si-woo. That's correct. The Dev is curious about your current disposition and how you have grown.”
Detecting a strange nuance in Kinis's words, Lee Si-woo said.
“Wait, curious? Don't tell me... the Progenitor Demon, the creator of this world, is alive within this system, not as an NPC?”
“He is not alive. As you know, he died a long time ago. However, he does exist in a different form.”
Kinis gestured toward the floor with her index finger as she continued.
“On the third basement floor. So, if you wish to know the details, you will need to obtain one more key. Ah, for your reference, the key that was supposed to be in Chapter 3 appeared as a reward in Chapter 4. It seems that although the system is not functioning normally, its core parts are barely managing to operate. Therefore, the next key will likely be... in Chapter 7.”
“Chapter 7... Does that mean I can only go to the third basement floor after seeing this world's ending?”
“That is correct.”
*Ding.*
The elevator arrived, and Kinis stepped aside slightly, yielding to him.
“Please, step inside. You will understand the functions of the Shop better by seeing it for yourself rather than listening to my explanation.”
***
Rios, the club master of Dawn, asked a club member.
“Any survivors from Chapter 5?”
“None.”
Rios squeezed his eyes shut and muttered.
“Then we have no way of confirming why Chapter 5 collapsed so quickly.”
“That's not true. Fortunately, we have the last data sent by one of our club members who had infiltrated Chapter 5.”
At the unexpected good news, Rios clenched his fist and said.
“To fulfill their mission even in such a desperate situation... I am ashamed, but I am simply grateful. So? Have you checked the data?”
“They say Chapter 5 collapsed because of an NPC traitor.”
“An NPC traitor? Who is it?”
“Lee Si-woo.”
“Lee Si-woo? The Lee Si-woo we're looking for?”
“No. Not the user Lee Si-woo, but the NPC Lee Si-woo.”
“Wait, the NPC Lee Si-woo? Are you talking about the Lee Si-woo I know? The Saintess's lover?”
“Yes. It's the same one who is currently fighting against the White Calamity in Chapter 7, alongside us, Dawn, and the other two of the three great clubs.”
Rios's eyes widened in disbelief as he spoke.
“That's impossible. If it weren't for him, we would have been swept away by the forces of the White Calamity long ago. No! In the first place, if it weren't for that NPC, Chapter 7 would have collapsed long ago. So why would he suddenly betray everyone? And in Chapter 5, of all places?”
“We don't know about that. The data simply states, 'Lee Si-woo betrayed them, and because of that, the city collapsed from within.'”
“Hah, this is just... I have no idea what's going on. What about Chapter 6? What's the current situation?”
“They say the situation is still fine for now.”
“It's a relief that Chapter 6 didn't collapse immediately like Chapter 5. By the way... if Lee Si-woo is a traitor... then if Chapter 6 collapses, there's a high chance our Lee Si-woo will also be corrupted.”
“Yes, he'll become our enemy, one hundred percent. So, speaking of which... how about we deal with Lee Si-woo now?”
After a moment of thought at the club member's suggestion, Rios shook his head.
“No, don't do that. And... do the other great clubs know that this Lee Si-woo is a traitor?”
“No. They shouldn't. If they did, all hell would have broken loose by now.”
“Then bury it so no one finds out. Furthermore, check on the status of the Lee Si-woo in Chapter 6, and if it's not yet known that he's a traitor, do everything you can to conceal it from the other clubs.”
Confused by Rios's incomprehensible orders, the club member questioned him.
“Master, that will be the end of Chapter 6. It would be better to inform the other clubs as soon as possible that Lee Si-woo is a traitor so they can prepare...”
Rios cut the club member off.
“Keep this in mind. Our goal is to bring Chapter 6 to an end by preventing them from reacting.”
“What? No, Master. What do you mean by that?”
“You still don't get it? Chapters 3 and 5 have collapsed, but Chapters 1, 2, and 4 are still functioning perfectly. That means someone is clearing the Secret Chapters. Yes, it's likely the work of... not the NPC Lee Si-woo, but the user Lee Si-woo.”
“That may be true... but what does that have to do with leading Chapter 6 to its doom?”
Rios's bloodshot eyes glared as he spoke.
“What does it have to do with anything? Hah, have you already forgotten? Our goal is to ensure the Red Butterfly doesn't fall into anyone's hands.”
“Don't tell me you intend to completely eliminate the chance of clearing the chapters...?”
“That's right. I'd rather see this world perish from a failed chapter clear than watch someone reach the ending and obtain the Red Butterfly. Even if it means all the users die as a result. Understood?”
Faced with Rios's response, which bordered on obsessive, the club member swallowed dryly and replied.
“I under... stand.”
Feeling sorry for the club member who was sweating profusely while watching him like a lamb before a wolf, Rios changed the subject to lighten the mood.
“Ahem, speaking of which, I heard an 8-star talent applied to join the club?”
“Ah, yes. That's right. They were originally from another club but left and applied to join ours.”
“What's their name?”
“Adrian. It's Adrian.”
***
Arriving at the Shop on the second basement floor, Lee Si-woo was genuinely surprised.
He had expected a shop to be filled with all kinds of equipment and items, but all that was there was a large holographic screen filling the wall and a holographic keyboard in front of it.
Lee Si-woo stroked his chin and commented.
“I was expecting something a bit more flashy, but this is quite different from what I imagined.”
“The space is too small to display all the items in the Shop. More importantly, displaying items all over the place would make it less intuitive.”
Then again, shopping was much more convenient using an online store's catalog or search bar than going to a large supermarket and picking out items yourself.
“That's true. Ah, by the way, how many points do I have?”
“You have a total of about 7,000 points.”
“7,000 points? Is that a lot?”
“It could be a little or a lot, depending on your needs.”
“Hmm, how much does the Croaking Bear Suit I'm wearing now cost in the shop?”
“3,000 points.”
Three thousand?
The Croaking Bear Suit wasn't bad, but it was far from enough.
Especially for Lee Si-woo, who needed to make a significant power-up here, with no idea how high the difficulty of Chapter 6 would be.
‘Looks like 7,000 points won't be enough to buy the equipment I want.’
Lee Si-woo stood before the holographic screen with a frown.
Instantly, a massive list of equipment and items appeared on the screen, like an online store catalog.
Suits, weapons, food. Even vehicles.
As Kinis had promised, there was nothing it didn't have, and there were quite a few interesting items that caught his eye, but the problem was that the prices were absurdly high.
‘Crazy, a Rank 5 suit is 20,000 points? Hah, with 7,000 points, I can't even get a decent weapon, let alone a usable suit... Hmm? What's this? Wow, they even have something like this?’
Scrolling down the catalog, Lee Si-woo spotted a particular item, and his eyes lit up.
‘This. If I use this well... things could get quite interesting.’
Lee Si-woo's lips curled into a smirk.
It was a smile filled with sinister malice.