Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Episode 12.
As the head of personnel, Kalian Ladenbach had recommended countless new recruits to the Order.
His criteria for selecting candidates were always cold and meticulous.
Trust, ability, values, and so on.
Rigorous verification followed across multiple aspects.
But this man.
Gunter Sirhe, Kalian felt an instinctive intuition that preceded logic.
‘A great fish. I must never let him go.’
It wasn't just because of his astonishing martial prowess.
In fact, Kalian had been keeping a close eye on Gunter even before he revealed his true strength.
It was partly thanks to his Daughter, who insisted on hiring him as a personal bodyguard, and partly because his eyes were inexplicably drawn to him.
‘Extraordinary.’
Gunter, observed over the past two months, was…
‘It’s a ridiculous thing to say, but.’
He seemed like someone looking down on this world from the outside.
In dangerous moments where lives were on the line.
In situations entangled with power and status.
Even in relationships with his colleagues.
He observed as if it were all a play, intervening at the necessary moment to take the most appropriate action.
Authority, pretense, hierarchy….
Things others desperately clung to, he let go of as easily as brushing off dust.
So, paradoxically, everyone wanted to earn his favor.
Even the jaded Kalian felt a strong pull towards him, making Gunter truly special.
‘…We call that kind of disposition charisma.’
That wasn't all.
He was good.
Though he appeared to operate with cold calculation, that wasn't the case in reality.
He remembered a village they stopped at for rest during a grueling journey.
Beyond a humble fence, the sound of a crying woman.
A child taken by bandits.
For a mercenary driven by money, there was no reason to care, and most wouldn't.
But Gunter was nowhere to be seen at the tavern that night, and the woman's cries had ceased by the next day.
Kalian knew well how rare and precious such talent was.
‘Above all, he seemed to harbor resentment towards the Rutian Theocracy.’
The ‘One Sword’ that had severed Paladins and the Holy Army in a single blow.
In that unhesitating, merciless hand, an animosity perfectly aligned with the Night Crow’s values could be read.
‘…Special Class. If someone like this isn't Special Class, who is?’
For reference, Special Class was a rank he had never bestowed upon a new recruit before.
Of course, that didn't mean Gunter would immediately become a member of the Order.
The judgment of his superiors and trials he had to undergo still remained.
Crucially, Gunter’s own intentions were still unknown.
‘But….’
Kalian smiled faintly.
‘It feels like he’ll end up joining us.’
If asked, most would say the chances were slim.
The majority of people would avoid the perilous path of confronting the Theocracy.
But strangely, Kalian felt that this man would eventually step into this fight.
His intuition, honed over many years through countless transactions and negotiations, told him so.
“What kind of work is it?”
So, to Gunter, who asked, he replied with uncharacteristic directness.
“Things we must do if we want this damned world to change.”
It was a statement that implicitly conveyed that this was no mere mercenary mission.
That deeper, more clandestine work awaited.
Gunter nodded silently, as if contemplating the meaning.
It was unlikely, but his expression suggested he understood all the context.
“So, please take good care of me.”
The future of the Night Crow is dark.
The Rutian Theocracy grows stronger by the day, and its banner will soon cover the entire continent.
Soon, the evil gods will come to trample and devour humanity’s prosperity.
And that is precisely why.
Kalian Ladenbach earnestly hoped that this man would become another torch to cut through that darkness.
“I will do my best as well.”
Gunter clasped his hand.
* * *
‘Done.’
He felt immensely relieved.
The hellish ordeal of Act 1, Scene 1 was all for this moment.
‘I’ve successfully entered the Night Crow route.’
It was the most crucial branching point, not just in Act 1, but in the entire scenario.
Joining the Night Crow was a prerequisite for seeing the true ending.
If the protagonist is Iron Man, the Night Crow is the Avengers.
Only by becoming a member of their ranks could one finally interact with the main and supporting characters of this world, as well as various high-performance companions.
The generously rewarding quests that would ensure future growth were a bonus.
Conversely, if Kalian had died in Act 1, Scene 1, or if he hadn't earned his favor?
‘The true ending is goodbye.’
This would lead to the so-called solo route.
One would have to fight the great enemy, the Rutian Theocracy, alone.
It was a route that only hardcore players aiming to collect bad endings and other elements would even consider.
But fortunately, I saved Kalian and maintained the connection with the Night Crow.
‘Now, all that remains is the Order’s trial, disguised as Kalian’s quest.’
Of course, that also boasted a difficult level.
However, it wasn't as difficult as Act 1, Scene 1, which I had to face head-on.
Moreover, the Border City, which would serve as the setting for Act 1, was overflowing with various ‘Hidden Pieces’ and ‘Special Benefits’ that I could utilize.
…I should be able to do well.
[The Red Street Pillar coughs, saying his abilities will be needed in the city]
[The Ninety-Nine Overlord Knight King nods, wishing the companions he will meet in the future to be just and noble]
[The Addict Saintess suggests it might be good to visit an herbalist]
[…The One Who Sends a Love Letter That Will Never Return cautiously glances at you]
As I was reading the messages, an uninvited guest suddenly intruded, and I turned my head.
Eddie stood there in an awkward posture.
“What is it?”
“…Um, well, you see.”
He hesitated, his lips moving, then lowered his head.
I narrowed my eyes and looked down at the slightly receding crown of his head.
“Thank you. I felt I had to say this.”
He fidgeted, unable to hide his awkwardness, but didn't stop speaking.
“If it weren’t for you, everyone would have died. Me and my subordinates… and the young lady. You saw it too, right? Me freezing up like an idiot.”
…A thank you.
Eddie scratched the back of his head and shifted his gaze aside.
Towards the direction where Yor was laughing and joking with other Guild Members.
A smile naturally spread across Eddie’s lips.
“You bastards! If you even lay a finger on the young lady! I’ll kill you!”
For a moment, the images from my past lives overlapped.
The previous Eddies, who protected Yor even as they were covered in blood, broken and shattered.
…If they had seen this scene, they would surely have been happy.
It was a peculiar sentiment that only a regressor could feel.
“There. You have a share in that scene too.”
Eddie tilted his head for a moment, then chuckled.
“What? Haha… You could even offer such absurd comfort?”
“Believe it or not.”
It was time to leave soon.
There were a few things left to do before arriving at the Border City.
“Wait a moment.”
“…What now?”
“So prickly. Here.”
Flick-
Eddie slipped something into my pocket.
“You’ll be staying in the Border City for a while, right? This will be helpful. My cousin has a pretty big business there.”
The status window informed me of the item’s identity.
[Item Acquired! Eddie’s Letter of Introduction (Brody’s Solution)]
Was this also an effect of the increased affinity?
I was receiving rewards that didn't exist in the original story.
I nodded briefly.
“This will be useful. Thank you.”
And then, unable to hold back what I had wanted to say, I added.
“Why don’t you confess before your head gets any more bald?”
“…I will. When you’re gone.”
A brief exchange of jokes.
It didn’t feel bad at all.
.
.
.
“Uh, um. Did you have a good private date with the old man? Hahahaha!”
That was until I ran into Ryan, who was clearly awkward.
* * *
A mercenary hiding their strength.
Broadly speaking, it was an act akin to betrayal.
It was no different from endangering one’s comrades on a life-or-death mission.
‘Will they think I was deceiving them all along?’
Strictly speaking, it was a misunderstanding, but it couldn't be helped.
The strength I displayed through Divine Possession wasn't something that could be acquired in a short period.
From Ryan’s perspective, I was an untrustworthy person who hid immense power despite possessing it.
But he seemed to be trying to overlook it.
“Wow, I’ve got a story for drinking for the rest of my life. I wonder if the barmaids will believe this, it’s too outlandish.”
“…….”
“By the way, we’re almost at the Border City. How do you feel? Huh?”
“…….”
“You’ve been singing about the Border City, Border City, since forever.”
“What song was I….”
I reflexively started to answer but sighed.
His thoughtful consideration, not asking anything.
But the discomfort was unavoidable.
It was even more so when I met his gaze, which looked complicated despite him trying to act fine.
‘I should talk to him when we arrive.’
In fact, there was also a need to discuss my future course of action.
With that thought, I turned my gaze forward again, and the massive silhouette of the Border City filled my vision.
Gasps erupted from various parts of the procession.
Mostly from the mercenaries.
“Wow…”
It was understandable.
Even for me, who was accustomed to modern cities, the scale was astonishing.
Even seeing only a small part of it was overwhelming.
The faces of the Guild Members and guards who called the Border City their base showed a hint of pride.
A magic-engineered city composed of three distinct layers.
The highest part, the upper layer, floated as if it were a separate world, cut off from the ground.
The city’s heart and core power source, an opal-colored ‘Core,’ rotated slowly in the distant sky, brilliantly illuminating the orderly streets.
It was the area where the city’s rulers, the ‘Labyrinth Clan,’ and other influential figures resided.
Below that, the middle layer, located on the ground, was a district densely packed with adventurers and facilities for them.
The streets were lively, with vitality and noise reaching us even from afar.
It was also where the most diverse professions and classes mingled.
Finally, the lower layer.
The space where all the trash, waste, and failed creations of the Border City flowed.
The city was divided as if looking at a giant cross-section.
‘A perfectly divided world.’
Some enjoyed light and warmth from above, while others wandered in darkness below.
[The Red Street Pillar gapes at the city’s scale, stating there were no such cities in their era]
[The Addict Saintess quickly rubs her eyes]
[The Ninety-Nine Overlord Knight King crosses his arms, remarking it doesn’t look like a friendly city at first glance]
I agreed with the Knight King’s sentiment.
If I weren't in a position where I had to progress the main scenario, I wouldn't have even glanced at such a grim place.
After walking for a few more minutes.
On the outskirts of the city, dozens of checkpoints and an endless line stretched before us.
It was at this moment that Kalian stopped the procession and instructed the group to split up and undergo inspection.
The ambush had failed.
Naturally, the Rutian faction would want to understand the full extent of the incident.
“After entering the city, everyone must be cautious of their actions and avoid drawing unnecessary attention. Leaving quickly is also a good option.”
The group nodded with grim expressions.
Even without knowing the exact situation, everyone would be careful.
No matter how brave, they would want to avoid entanglement with the Rutian Theocracy, given their dubious relationship.
As I broke away from the formation with Ryan, I gazed once more at the city spread out before me.
‘…In any case, it’s truly beginning now.’
Act 1, Scene 2, leading to the initiation test, the main scenario.
In this ruthless city, I must become a secret member of the Order and fight against a great evil empire.
In place of the hero chosen by the world.
An extra.
.
.
.
Ting-!
[New Area Discovered!]
[Area: Border City]
A city located at the center of the continent.
Thanks to the existence of the ‘Labyrinth,’ it is the only place on the continent where magic engineering could develop to such a high degree…
[Skipping]
[※ Warning: The Border City itself is a labyrinth. Beneath the surface of vitality and prosperity lie endless darkness and secrets, so exploration must be done with caution.]
[Act 1, Scene 2 Begins]
[Summarizing Major Achievements of Act 1, Scene 1]
==================
[Level: 37]
[Strength-33 Stamina-28 Agility-25 Magic-5 Charm-50 Luck-10]
==================
- Level Up x 12
- Total Stats Increased by 26.
- Acquired Stigmata, The One Who Rises.
- Acquired Rare Passive Skill, ‘Knight’s Swordsmanship’.
- Acquired Epic Active Skill, ‘Overlord’s Eye’.
- Acquired Magical Weapon, ‘Rhadenbach’s Steadfastness’.
- Possessed Karma 158, Accumulated Karma 753 (Before Settlement of Twelfth Life).
※ Act 1, Scene 1 Clear Rewards Are Being Settled.