Damned System

Chapter 118. Party Play (9)

“I’m Kim Yul. Please take care of me, mister.”

“W-what, mister?”

“Isn’t there a twenty-year difference between us? I’m seventeen years old!”

It somehow felt like I was being challenged.

‘Why is he acting like this all of a sudden?’

Frowning slightly, I gave Kim Yul a warning.

“Keep it appropriate.”

“Okay, I’ll just call you hyung!”

His tone still felt oddly sharp.

As I openly frowned, Kim Yul quickly stood up.

“Hyung, you haven’t even gotten a chance to wash up, have you? I’ll give you some space!”

I wasn’t sure why someone so sociable was giving Yang Taeho a hard time.

As the atmosphere began to settle, I felt a strong desire to rest.

“Hyung-nim, you go rest too. You can use the room right next to this one.”

“Oh, alright.”

As Kim Yul and then Yang Taeho left the room, I finally got some rest.

* * *

My rest didn’t last long. Around dusk, Berta quietly appeared again.

‘At least it’s a relief that she’s not nocturnal.’

After dinner, I played with her for a few hours, and soon, she nodded off. I picked up the sleeping Berta gently.

It was now quite routine to rock her while singing a lullaby.

Thanks to this, Berta soon fell asleep, breathing softly and evenly.

There were times when Berta slept in my room, but today, I wanted to sleep more comfortably. So I decided to take her to her room.

‘The tooth that got shaken when he kicked me still aches.’

The place I arrived at, passing through the darkened corridor, was on the third floor, not far from Rashar’s bedroom.

I tucked Berta in and, on my way out, heard a click. Turning around, I saw Rashar’s study door opening.

“Haa.”

Rashar emerged, letting out a deep sigh while rubbing her face.

Normally, she’d notice immediately if there were someone in the corridor, even if it was dark.

It seemed she either didn’t notice my presence or was ignoring me.

‘Judging by how tired she looks, it seems to be the former.’

Not certain, I decided to make my presence known.

“Is it over now?”

Rashar flinched and immediately turned her head towards me.

Judging by her surprise, it seemed she genuinely hadn’t noticed I was there due to exhaustion.

Rashar’s golden eyes, which had been staring at me, soon shifted sideways again.

“… As you see.”

Hearing her murmur such a response, I almost burst out laughing.

I held back, thinking nothing good would come from laughing just then, but I couldn’t help but smirk a little and casually covered my mouth with my hand.

Using a calm voice, I asked, “Are you still sulking?”

“No, I’m not.”

Her swift reply gave her away.

‘I can see right through you when you say you’re not sulking.’

I leaned against the wall, folding my arms.

Right now, neither a positive nor a negative response would fit the situation.

No matter what I say, it would be an ambiguous answer, so it seemed better to wait for a while.

How many minutes had passed like that?

Taking a peek at me from time to time, Rashar sighed deeply and declared surrender.

“I’m not sulking. It’s just… I felt a bit let down.”

Now somewhat amused, I stepped towards Rashar.

“There are many things to feel let down about.”

The awkwardness began about a week ago, after I mentioned I would prepare a separate place after leaving the mansion.

The discussion unexpectedly turned into an argument then, and we hadn’t talked one-on-one since.

Reaching her side, I spoke in as calm a tone as I could.

“I’ll establish a base at Habon, so I’ll come and go frequently, just like now.”

“…….”

“So there’s nothing to feel let down about.”

When I first said I would leave the mansion, Rashar asked if there were any inconveniences living there.

But I had none.

‘I’ve been quite comfortable here.’

My decision to find a new place didn’t stem from the place being uncomfortable or burdened by Rashar’s help.

‘This situation of me receiving special treatment is ripe for internal conflict.’

According to Joseph, there was already talk among players affiliated with Palao.

The chatter came from those who didn’t look kindly upon me, and while I didn’t particularly care about it personally, I couldn’t just ignore that the Apostle of the Order was rumored to be at the forefront of discrimination while I continued to stay.

If the Bennett family didn’t plan to house and feed all Palao-affiliated players, then it was right for me to leave.

I honestly wanted to move out sooner but dealing with more pressing matters took precedence.

Between forming the core, ranking up to Silver, training in spear techniques, and understanding Bihar’s history and power structure, I had a mountain of tasks.

Living each day in moments was the only way to meet my objectives.

Given my relentless schedule, I couldn’t afford to relinquish the optimal environment given to me due to what others might say or do.

Rashar supported me unfailingly during this time.

‘Listening to remarks she didn’t have to hear, all because of me.’

Despite that, not a single complaint came from her side, so now it’s my turn to consider her feelings.

Ultimately, any criticism directed at Rashar was essentially because of me.

Even if she continued to be opposed to my decision, I intended to finalize the building contract and move out soon.

‘I’ve even scoped out a few places.’

With Yang Taeho recruited, the timing felt just right.

“My staying elsewhere won’t change anything.”

I made my intentions clear.

“And just in case, let me assure you, we’re well aware your efforts and the Order’s support for us are beyond satisfactory.”

If her objections were based on that, they were unnecessary.

I playfully flicked Rashar’s forehead, saying, “So let’s drop the subject, agreed?”

After a slight pause, Rashar replied, “… Understood. I respect your decision.”

While she seemed more at ease than when she was pretending not to sulk, her voice remained downcast.

“But… it doesn’t make it any less disappointing.”

“Come on, what’s so disappointing about it?”

“I enjoyed thinking I’d made a pleasant friend during your stay. It was fun hearing about the tales of your world during our meals together.”

Though it was the first time I heard her say it, I wasn’t surprised.

Rashar genuinely liked me, and I felt the same about her.

What began as seeing her as an ally sailing in the same boat had somehow transformed into a true friendship.

‘Despite our differences.’

Our actions and thought processes were worlds apart, yet I never felt distant from her.

Unlike Ahel, whom I always felt awkward around.

‘Turns out I do prefer certain people.’

Reflecting on this, I spoke with a laugh, “You make it sound like I’m moving to another country.”

I reassured her to visit anytime since we’d be in the same city, having added my words with a lighthearted tone, Rashar’s expression visibly relaxed.

We stood there, discussing the past week’s happenings before retreating to our respective rooms to conclude the day.

“Come to think of it… I’ve never mentioned this.”

“What?”

“I’m truly grateful to you.”

Since my arrival, she felt things were progressing smoothly.

A sense of discomfort settled in when Rashar expressed gratitude alongside a gleaming smile, making my fingertips itch.

Instead, a weight akin to indigestion sat heavily in my chest.

“No amount of soothing words will change my mind about leaving.”

So I intentionally added a playful tone to my response as if it were no big deal.

Rashar chuckled, acknowledging with a resigned nod.

“Understood.”

“See you tomorrow.”

As I walked through the dim corridor, leaving Rashar behind, my mind and heart felt unsettled.

Perhaps it was discomfort from the gratitude she’d expressed.

After all, I wasn’t making sacrifices for her.

To Rashar, any assistance from me was merely a byproduct of my pursuit of my own goals.

Nothing I did was solely for Rashar or Bihar.

In fact, I was using them to meet my ambitions.

If furthering my cause meant ending our symbiosis.

‘I won’t hesitate.’

Sentimental feelings wouldn’t alter my objectives or choices.

Preventing the monsters outside from infiltrating Earth was paramount.

Even if I had to forfeit all relationships and connections I’ve built, I would endure.

‘Despite any discomfort.’

I could endure it. My resolve and determination were unwavering.

That’s why gratitude felt awkward to me.

‘Pointless thoughts.’

I ascended the stairs, stomping on the emotions whispering in my heart.

* * *

Kim Yul’s test concluded quicker than anticipated.

Whether he spent the past few months grinding his teeth in training, his skills were near flawless.

With Kim Yul supporting us through crowd-control techniques, our pace in hunting mobs quickened substantially.

Most importantly, I saw a fierce determination in his sweat-drenched form pursuing our targets.

An unwavering resolve to pass and earn his place.

For that resolve alone, I deemed him worthy of enhancing his value.

Thus, I selected Kim Yul as the second member of my party, following Yang Taeho.

Subsequently, I set off to an area far from the forward base, the corrupted area, to start camping.

Focusing on raising them both into the Silver rank.

‘Both have laid a good foundation.’

Thanks to their preparation, structured character building was feasible.

‘While raising them to Silver rank, I’ll also focus on increasing the ratio of attribute mana.’

Attribute mana, being pure and uncontaminated, held no risk of corruption.

Unlike general mana, which depletes with shop use, its significance diverged greatly.

Hence, I focused more on clearing 1-star areas to destroy Messeo, a priority over 2-stars for gaining general mana.

This allowed me to gather attribute mana faster than planned.

Although both of them suffered from bouts of nausea and exhaustion multiple times during the process.

Neither considered quitting, persisting through my rigorous pace.

Thus, five days later, Kim Yul reached the milestone of 100,000 mana first.

“I’m a Silver rank now!”

Suddenly excited at reaching 100,000 mana, I tried calming him down.

“Hey, wait….”

“Aaahh!”

It seemed I was a moment too late.

Kim Yul had already interacted with the system window before I could speak.

‘He should’ve listened.’

I looked empathetically at Kim Yul, writhing on the ground.

Surely, he saw the same system prompt I once faced.

「Would you like to undergo your second awakening? (Y/N)」

It was a simple, concise phrase, but pressing “Yes” meant experiencing hell.

It felt as if my body shattered and then reassembled.

From personal experience, I knew just how excruciating it was.

The sensation of bones being forcibly extracted, I never wanted to endure again.

Experiencing that agony revealed why the system offered a choice for the second awakening.

Unlike the first, the player’s consent for the second awakening depended purely on them.

‘When the tutorial began.’

But during the second awakening, the player had the choice, and the reason was simple.

‘When mana increases, it often implies ongoing combat.’

In such a scenario, undergoing an agonizing awakening could be a death sentence.

Being forced into such severe pain mid-battle practically equaled a death verdict.

‘It’s no different than telling us to die?’

The system allowed players to choose the awakening timing to prevent their untimely deaths.

The explanation was perfectly rational and irrefutable.

Yet, the clearer it became, the more infuriating it was.

‘If they’re going to give us a choice, why not include a warning?’

Informing us of the intense pain, would’ve at least mentally prepared us before hitting “Yes”.

‘How hard is it to include a short warning message?’

It really felt like there was no care for the players in the system.

Despite feeling sorry for Kim Yul on the floor, I instinctively criticized the system.

However, time couldn’t be wasted any longer.

Carrying the unconscious Kim Yul, who couldn’t withstand the pain, I resumed hunting.

I had to ensure Yang Taeho reached Silver rank soon as well.

As I continued group hunting, Kim Yul repeatedly woke, fainted, and woke again.

By nightfall on the second day, Yang Taeho also reached the cusp of his second awakening.

Perhaps hesitant due to the example set by Kim Yul, Yang Taeho was reluctant to proceed.

Unable to bear it any longer, I urged him.

By the time all party members had achieved Silver rank, the system’s mission prompt appeared.

MISSION

「Main Scenario Act 1 Chapter 3: The Dawn of Counterattack」

The Biharis, buoyed by the players’ support, began pushing back the frontline. Utilizing this momentum, they plan an advance on Callum Castle from the central front. Players are to aid in the reclamation of Callum Castle.

「Rewards」

Participation Reward: Choose from the following rewards

• 500 Mana, 25 Reputation

• 250 Attribute Mana, 50 Reputation

Ranking Reward: Tiered rewards based on rank (1~?)

• Victory Ceremony Participation

• Order rewards (medal, equipment, prize money, etc.)

• Free Store Coupon

• Achievement 200

• Blessing of the God

※ Rankings are tallied based on degree of mission contribution.

A main scenario mission, absent since the enrollment test, awaited us.

It marked the first battlefield for our party’s debut.

Damned System