Descartes (3)
One day, I left Chaeyeon behind and entered the game world.
At first, it was utter chaos. Where the hell was this? Why was I here? What about my little sister Chaeyeon? I couldn't just stay like this. For her sake, I had to find a way out. Who knew when that devil of a father—worse than any demon—might bust out of prison again while I was gone.
So I grabbed a bracelet using game knowledge and set out to grow stronger.
"It's this bastard."
"Grab him! Take him alive!"
While building my power, I returned to the mansion. But Descartes' underlings caught me, and the unforgettable torture began.
Day by day, it was agony. Day by day, hope faded.
Before long, my head was filled not with thoughts of Chaeyeon, but with the desperate urge to survive right now.
But I had no hope left.
"Let's get out of here."
That's when I met him. The guy who said he'd possessed Damian's body. Silver hair, red eyes—an unforgettable character. The moment I saw him, Damian's overwhelming power etched itself into my mind.
'He possessed Damian?'
Someone in the same boat as me, but in Damian's body. He definitely wielded immense strength. He knew more than I did.
Still, I couldn't shake the anxiety flooding my head.
'Can we really escape this place?'
There was no certainty. The terror of this game world was that immense.
During the Erven capture, I truly thought I was going to die. My mind was a whirlwind.
'We might not just fail to escape—we could die here...'
My head brimmed with thoughts of death. I was still confused.
And so we came to deal with Descartes. Fear gripped me again. I really could die here.
But Damian was different. Unlike me, with my trembling hands, he stayed calm. Even after taking hit after hit, he never gave up.
'Wh-what's he doing?'
Then, mid-battle, he pressed forward, enduring Descartes' massive 【Breath】 with his whole body. I understood the intent, but I couldn't step up.
'...He could die like that.'
Damian didn't stop. Even as his skin peeled away. Even as his weapons corroded.
He advanced steadfastly.
Thud.
Before I knew it, my shaking hands steadied. Watching Damian, something welled up in my chest. It reminded me of Serendos, the former rank 1 who fought solo against rankers without yielding. The man who'd battled like that for seven years. The man I'd admired.
'Yeah, if it's someone like him...'
Thud.
My feet moved toward him on their own. What could I do? What was a tattoo artist's specialty? Right—regeneration based on 【Blood Thirst】.
Whoosh.
I used 【Shadow Move】. Suddenly, I was blocking the 【Breath】 in his place. Strangely, I wasn't afraid. I had to do what I could.
◈ Item Tier: 4th Grade
◈ Staff
◈ Attack Power: None
◈ Mana +10
◈ Cast 【Darken】
◈ Destruction trait: Black magic attack power +50%
◈ Destruction trait: Black magic mana cost reduced
We took down Descartes and hit level 20. I wanted to check my new skills right away, but finishing things here came first.
Clank.
I picked up the black staff he'd been holding. Unlike the intern's version, no class restrictions—but it screamed black mage exclusive. Right now, 【Darken】 was the only useful part for me anyway.
'The Heroic grade is what matters.'
But it wasn't useless. Heroic gear was rare. It'd find a use somehow.
"Guh... guhuh..."
"Ugh... uwaaagh!"
With the guy down, the 【Fear】 debuff lifted. Most clutched their heads from headaches; Jerome puked his guts out.
-D-did we... take him down?
Kethar recovered first. I nodded, stowing the [Broken Blade] dripping his blood.
-You really... beat him...
Kethar looked incredulous. I got it—this was the toughest fight since entering the game.
Anyway, he was down.
"Phew, never wanna go through that again. You okay, Ability Bro?"
"Agreed. First time for pain like that..."
Jackson's crew staggered over, faces sour from aftereffects.
"Jerome, tough as it is, get ready."
"Y-yeah...!"
Jerome, barely standing, prepped something.
Kuuung!
The building still lurched. Brockton's walls loomed through the windows—we were almost there.
Divine Guards manned the walls below, crowds gathered beneath.
'...Just like the story.'
Up to here, it matched the plot. Soon the building would rampage.
But my bombs would stop it.
'Needs a little showmanship.'
I'd use this to go public. Show what I'd done, build fame so Orion couldn't touch me.
Screeech!
The building neared the wall, raising its metal legs. Detonation time.
So...
"Blow it."
"Got it!"
KABOOOM!
KrakaBOOM!
Jerome hit the button; the first lab's charges erupted.
"To the window!"
We sprinted and leaped through the shattered panes from Descartes' 【Breath】.
Thud!
We landed on the wall. Divine Guards stirred—our sudden entrance shocked them.
KABOOOOOM!
BOOM! Boom boom boom boom!
The building exploded massively. Blasts chained without pause.
KABOOOM!
It toppled backward, flames shooting over the wall.
Everyone watching fell silent.
"......"
"D-did those guys just blow up the building?"
"Looks like..."
"So they saved us?"
Moments later, murmurs rose from below as people pieced it together.
My goal was hitting.
"Who are you people?"
Someone approached. Red uniform, rapier—I knew her. Divine Guard Chief Lenador.
"We'll investigate. Detain them all."
"Yes, ma'am."
We complied as ordered. The others followed my instructions, cooperating smoothly.
We endured hours of questioning. No issues though. Black magic traces filled the lab; none on us.
"Just as you said. Black magic residue confirmed. So you really stopped it?"
"Yes."
"Hm."
I faced Lenador. She wiped her hands with a cloth, listening intently.
Obsessive clean freak, huh?
"As you know, that building was Orion's lab."
"Indeed."
"Then you know what went on there."
"Human experimentation traces. You knew that too?"
I nodded quietly to her question. Time to expose Orion.
Stuff they'd figure out anyway—but I'd deliver it personally.
"Humans, monsters, ability users. They experimented on anything for their desires. Body modifications too."
"B-body mods? Such blasphemy! Shame before the gods!"
"Key point: there are more labs like it."
"More than one?"
Her eyebrow arched; she looked pissed. Devout god-worshippers hearing about human experiments? No wonder.
"Dig deeper into Orion."
"Understood. Sorry for the hassle. You definitely saved the city."
Noble, proud Divine Guard. Their top chief apologizing to me? Huge.
Meant my deeds were that impressive—for her to admit fault.
"Release them now. Prep rewards too."
"Yes."
Lenador didn't stop at words. Rewards for saving the city, and she moved with us.
Screech.
We finished and exited. Unexpected crowd awaited—most of Brockton's residents, it seemed.
"Wh-what's this? B-boss? Any idea?"
"So many people..."
"Did we screw up? Didn't expect this much scrutiny..."
"......"
Curiosity, probably. Saviors or saboteurs?
"Th-they're out!"
"Already? So they're innocent?"
"Nah! Could be guilty, playing it safe!"
Murmurs swelled. Eyes locked on Lenador with us.
"Investigation complete. No ties to the monstrous building threatening the city."
"...They saved us?"
"Y-yeah! That's it!"
"Wooooaaah!"
Cheers erupted. Heroes of the city, they called us.
My plan worked perfectly.
'Things change from here.'
Orion and I were inseparable now. They hadn't found me yet, but it'd be soon.
Couldn't hide forever. My ops expanding beyond Brockton.
So I went public—as the city's savior.
Corps would notice. Clients would flock.
Word spreads to other cities? Gamers hear of us too.
'Orion won't dare touch me.'
Spotlight on. Risky to move?
Link with another corp? Untouchable.
Orion wasn't invincible yet.
'My real start now.'
War with Orion—no, the devs—begins here.
Days later, Divine Guard Chief Lenador's car sped somewhere. Through cities to the capital, Hamilton.
It passed the plaza westward, stopping at a massive building.
Cars parked everywhere—from each city's guard chiefs.
Averium's 'Creature Guard' with monster mounts.
Cherwin's 'Steam Guard' in giant mechs.
Helkrim's hulking 'Titan Guard', orc-like.
More varied guards visible.
"Let's go."
"Yes."
Lenador entered with aide Evelyn. Past red carpet to elevator—top floor.
One door awaited.
Screech.
Great hall vibe. Many seated; eyes on Lenador.
"The convener's here. Lenador, this way." Hamilton Blade Guard Chief Gamble led.
Lenador moved without hesitation—as expected.
"Time to start. Lenador?"
"Thanks for gathering. Reason: expose Orion Corporation's atrocities."
Lenador revealed Orion's experiments to all guard chiefs.
The moment the Corporate War—later named thus—began.