Chapter 199
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 199
Chapter Title: The ID Badge
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Experience: 2 billion.
This 2 billion experience shot Jeong Hoon's level past 300 in an instant.
Level 315.
He was now eligible for his 4th job change.
'The Irreversible Annihilator' says it will grant you one final chance.
'The Fallen Apostle of Light' says it will forgive you if you sign the contract now.
'The Gloomy Martial Artist' is impressed by your fist technique. It tells you to ignore the threats and talk to it instead.
'The Fallen Ruler of Fate' takes an interest. It marvels at how a mere human could defeat Rakandra.
The transcendents swarmed in the moment Rakandra fell, as if they'd been waiting.
There were far more of them than when he'd taken down Baruda.
Jeong Hoon ignored them all and stepped out through the portal.
"Hoon!"
His mother waited outside, worried sick for her son.
"I'm home."
"Thank goodness. You're not hurt anywhere?"
"No. I'm fine."
Jeong Hoon gave her a bright smile.
Only then did his mother's tense expression soften in relief.
"With that thing taken care of, all the dungeons should be gone now."
It was just the tutorial starting point, but changing the future where countless victims would emerge was reward enough.
"Wow... So that's why they vanished."
Jang Ha-jin, who'd been listening nearby, pulled out his smartphone and showed Jeong Hoon the screen.
The dungeon's master has been defeated.
Rewards will be granted accordingly.
For one week, no penalties will apply for clearing dungeons.
In 6 hours, normal dungeons will generate.
Normal dungeons.
As the name implied, they imposed no penaltiesperfect for growth, whether you'd played New World before or not.
'A week of peace, then.'
It meant no penalties for a full week.
That time was invaluable, giving everyone a chance to adapt.
'Everyone's going to go nuts trying to level up.'
Reality manifestation had been forced upon them.
People would scramble for ways to survive.
And just like in New World, they'd realize leveling up was the surest path to power. Everyone would head to the dungeons.
Plus the points from clearing them.
Those points could cover food, clothing, and shelter, making dungeon runs not optional, but essential.
NPCs will be generated in all regions.
Various NPCs will be deployed, so Earthlings are encouraged to make full use of them.
NPC generation scheduled.
Reality manifestation was now complete.
"NPCs are being generated...?"
Jang Ha-jin muttered blankly at the follow-up message.
"This is insane...."
Han Deok-gu reacted the same way.
Even with dungeons closed after manifestation, it was hard to accept.
"We've put out the immediate fire, so take a break."
Rest was essential amid the chaos.
With the dungeons gone, Jang Ha-jin and Han Deok-gu headed home.
Back at his place, Jeong Hoon peered into Welcom alongside his mother.
Who took down the dungeon master?
-This devil dungeon was the tutorial one, right? So who else could it be?
I think I know who.
It's obvious just looking at it.
???Who???
Stop talking in secrets and spill it.
It's HoneyTube.
For real, has to be HoneyTube.
Anyone else and it doesn't add up... Who elses it that fast and uploads a guide video?
The one who'd slain the tutorial dungeon's master.
Countless people were convinced it was HoneyTube.
And with good reason the guide video went up right after manifestation.
That video had racked up over 100 million views.
It spread worldwide, serving as proof for all the clears it enabled.
Uploading the fastest meant it was safe to assume HoneyTube had bagged the boss.
"Hoon, what are you going to do now?"
His mother asked cautiously.
She knew her son had broadcast the dungeon shutdownand slain its master.
"I think it's best to let it blow over quietly for now."
"Let it blow over quietly?"
"Yeah."
The world was in turmoil.
If it came out now that the guide video's creator had killed the boss, it'd invite endless hassles.
No need to stir that pot.
Jeong Hoon planned to stay silent.
He'd already told Jang Ha-jin and Han Deok-gu the same: not a word.
"Right. No good can come from going public."
His mother agreed.
"Yeah."
"But can you really hide it...? If people really dig, they won't stop till they find you...."
Everyone was zeroed in on HoneyTube after the guide.
If they got serious, Jeong Hoon would be exposed in no time.
"I've got a way."
"A way?"
"Yeah."
Jeong Hoon smiled and opened the Achievement Shop.
Category-Special
Under Special, a huge array of items.
He dragged down through them quickly.
Then, he spotted what he wanted.
ID Badge
It was the ID Badge item.
While the disguise potion hid appearance and class, this badge masked the nickname itself.
It couldn't fake class or level, but it allowed dual nicknames.
'This'll come in handy.'
Jeong Hoon bought one for 10,000 points.
Set the nickname to use with the ID Badge.
Rebel Against Heaven.
He set it to 'Rebel Against Heaven.'
Now he could swap nicknames at willperfect for staying hidden.
Pair it with disguise potion for looks and class, and it was airtight.
'I made sure broadcasts are always blurred anyway.'
Even the sharpest couldn't beat New World's system.
"Your nickname changed?"
His mother jumped when she saw it.
"Used an ID Badge."
"ID Badge?"
"Yeah."
Jeong Hoon explained how to get one, then messaged Jang Ha-jin and Han Deok-gu to do the same.
It wouldn't be perfect forever, but it'd buy time away from annoyances.
Next, he called Yeo Min-ji.
Yes!
She picked up after one ring, like she'd been waiting.
"Not anything bigjust how's Park Jin-hyuk doing?"
Park Jin-hyuk? He's gathering guild members right now. Said he'll be here soon.
"Then tell Shinwa to watch out."
Shinwa... Got it.
With manifestation, Shinwa would move.
'I'm the prime target, but can't rule out Park Jin-hyuk.'
Plus Lee Hwarang, free after his year ban, could stir things. Better safe.
Earth Korea.
Excluding HQ, every Earth and Genesis branch was in chaos.
Sudden dissolution, and the game turning real.
"Dungeons, NPCs...? This is why Earth and Genesis are dissolving, right?"
Oh Hye-young from management asked Oh Jin-su.
They'd gotten the notice but weren't fully shut down yet.
So plenty of staff showed up.
No work, though.
The second the sky counter hit zero, New World locked out.
Users in capsules were force-logged, healthy pods suddenly dead.
"...."
Team leader Oh Jin-su nodded silently.
He couldn't ignore how outside mirrored New World.
Stats manifesting in reality, skills witnessed firsthand.
Still, doubt lingered.
Game become reality?
Unbelievable.
"So what happens to us?"
"Yeah... We never even played New World...."
Worst part: Earth and Genesis staff couldn't play.
Entry clause blocked it from day one.
They were plain civilians post-manifestation.
Oh Jin-su too.
Player Info
-Nickname: None (Please set a nickname.)
-Level: 1
-Class: None
Right there on his screen.
Level 1, no nickname even.
"Whew, this is nuts."
Oh Jin-su sighed softly.
Then it appeared.
To all Earth employees who worked so hard.
"What the?"
"Huh?!"
Not just himevery staffer saw it.
As thanks for your hard work, we're granting a very special opportunity.
We're adding systems for Earthlings and converting all New World staff to NPCs.
Earth and Genesis will dissolve, reforming as New World Association - Korea, under your management.
NPCs.
Game helpers, basically?
Oh Jin-su was floored.
How was this special?
"...Not a bad deal, though?"
He frowned at his team member's mutter.
"Not bad? Sounds good, surebut it's telling us to become dogs."
"And? We're level 1 'cause we couldn't play. How long to catch up?"
"...."
No arguing that.
They knew New World best, yet no better than civilians.
Monster attack? Dead.
Knews, but no power to execute them.
Oh! No opt-out.
Murmurs erupted at the addendum.
Forced dissolution, now forced NPC conversion?
"Make some sense!"
Oh Jin-su shot up.
He'd joined for the perks, worked his ass offbut never felt like a slave.
This was slavery.
NPC conversion in progress.
1
Futile resistance.
It forced ahead.
"Ugh... What? Team leader... My head feels weird...."
A team member staggered and collapsed.
Face pale, nose bleeding.
"Byung-jin! Open your eyes!"
"Cough...."
The man called Byung-jin convulsed.
Oh Jin-su dialed emergency, but no signal.
"What the hell...? Why now?"
His smartphone, fine moments ago, died.
"Ugh!"
"Aaagh!"
Others collapsed one by one.
Same symptoms as Byung-jin.
"Everyone okay?!"
As Oh Jin-su rushed to check
"Urk!"
Indescribable headache and vertigo hit.
He collapsed too.
'Is this what NPC conversion feels like...?'
Oh Jin-su thrashed to cling to consciousness, but lightning pain in his skull wiped it out.