Damned System

Chapter 56. Main Scenario (5)

Rashar, whom they were familiar with, led the way, followed by a man they didn’t recognize.

He was a man with black hair, dark brown eyes, a sleek yet well-balanced solid build, and keen eyes.

Greg’s hand twitched slightly, though he tried not to show it.

His resolve to remain calm and neutral wavered.

The word “Outsider” suddenly filled his mind as he observed the man’s appearance.

The man had skin subtly different from their own.

While Greg observed the man, he also scanned the entire office calmly.

For someone who appeared young, his gaze was rather firm.

Their silent scrutiny of each other was brief.

Rashar gave a sharp salute with precise movements.

“Second Company Commanding Officer Rashar Bennett has returned after completing the 13th District Prisoner Rescue Operation.”

“I have already been informed about the success of the operation. As much as I’d like to commend you, I hope you understand there’s a more urgent matter at hand.”

Step by step, Greg approached Rashar closely and patted her shoulder with his large hand.

“And thank you for returning.”

“I apologize for causing you concern.”

After exchanging a few words, it was finally the guest’s turn to speak.

“I am Greg, the overall commander of the Habon garrison. Pleased to meet you.”

He extended his hand for a handshake, the man hesitated momentarily.

He furrowed his brows slightly, and his eyes glanced downward before returning to Greg’s gaze.

Only about 3 or 4 seconds passed before the man extended his hand and shook Greg’s.

“I’m K.”

“So, you’re said to be an Outsider?”

“… It’s true that I’m from another world.”

“Hmm?”

“I haven’t been briefed on the details. I was only instructed to visit the temple here.”

Instructed by whom, Greg wondered?

Despite receiving an unexpected answer, Greg wasn’t flustered.

He intended to delve deeper into this topic calmly.

However, K didn’t give him the chance.

“According to Rashar Bennett, the same thing was said here, right? Then it seems there’s no need to waste time.”

“Hmm?”

“If we delay the chit-chat, can we go straight to the temple?”

Barely had the greetings ended before they got to the main point.

“Impatience seems to be a trait.”

Greg let go of K’s hand and began speaking.

“There’s no need to rush; let’s take our time.”

“……”

“When guests arrive, it’s polite to sit and chat for a while.”

As he finished speaking, a corner of K’s lips curled up.

“I’m sorry, but I’m in a hurry.”

Greg’s mustache twitched.

“I assume you all are in a hurry too…”

K gave a cold, hardened expression while cocking his head slightly.

“Seeing how relaxed you seem, it looks like you don’t need reinforcements?”

Not only Greg, but his lieutenant waiting in the office, and Rashar who came with K all widened their eyes as if they were about to burst.

Reinforcements!

It was a tempting offer that made one’s mouth water.

But Greg secretly swallowed his desire, maintaining his façade of calm.

Just because they needed help didn’t mean they should reveal their desperation.

“That’s news to me. Tell me more…”

“As I mentioned, I wasn’t briefed on the details.”

Greg consciously released the tension in his brows to keep from scowling.

“K, you’ve never mentioned such a thing until now. Why…”

“You didn’t explain everything from the start, either. Don’t act like I’m the only one keeping secrets.”

Rashar, who had impulsively started speaking in her frustration, fell silent abruptly.

“Besides, my situation is different from yours. I had no certainties.”

“What do you mean…”

“It’s all just my speculation. To confirm, I need to visit the temple.”

K, who had briefly looked at Rashar, turned his gaze back to Greg.

“So please send me to the temple immediately. It’s the only way to find a definitive answer.”

If one wanted to force K to open up, there were countless ways to do it.

They could overpower him with force.

Given the mana Greg sensed from K, it would be very easy.

If he valued his life, he would comply.

But instead of choosing the easy path, Greg remained silent.

He felt a divine presence passing through his mind.

“……”

It was the presence of a god.

Greg’s eyes wandered to the window.

Beyond it was a prayer room created for those working at the headquarters.

‘Are they watching?’

A being with divinity couldn’t descend to the ground.

But they could convey their intentions through a temple that could withstand divinity.

The mere act of revealing a presence was likely to indicate they were watching.

Greg glanced at Rashar discreetly.

She was still looking at K with a troubled expression.

‘She probably didn’t notice anything.’

Considering Rashar’s age, it wasn’t surprising.

She had only been an apostle for two years.

‘She’s still inexperienced.’

Without being able to discuss the matter with her, he had to make the decision alone.

The seven gods had never responded to con artists pretending to be Outsiders until now.

Why was this time different?

Was this young man really the Outsider foretold in the oracle?

In that case, the mention of reinforcements couldn’t be taken lightly.

If anything went wrong, they wouldn’t be able to escape responsibility.

Greg made a swift but careful decision.

* * *

“You seem to be in a real hurry.”

“I told you, I’m busy.”

“If that’s the case, it would be rude to keep you.”

Greg, who had been stalling as if to assess the situation, changed his demeanor.

“I will personally escort you.”

Just like Rashar before him, Greg didn’t question why I needed to go to the temple.

To them, it was natural for me to seek the temple.

‘It’s clear that the Divine Land refers to the temple.’

I had suspected it before.

And that’s why I mentioned the reinforcement offer.

Greg’s demeanor shifted dramatically over just one word.

‘In case anything goes wrong, it mustn’t be due to his own mistake regarding the reinforcements.’

Though it was just words, it would have been hard to dismiss completely.

After all, they had searched for the Outsider for over a year based on hope alone.

I was confident it would work, and it did.

‘Anyone with much to lose is sensitive to where responsibility lies.’

I didn’t have an issue with Greg’s response. In fact, I considered it fortunate.

Thanks to him, I could head straight to the temple without getting caught up in unnecessary tasks.

Now was the time to prepare for the next phase.

Before meeting Greg, I brooded over what Ahel had imparted to me.

– Palao.

Why had Ahel bothered to mention such a thing at that moment?

After pondering deeply, the answer emerged soon enough.

‘He was hinting at the temple I should visit.’

In this world, religion signifies the 7 Great Virtues and the seven gods.

If there are seven gods, it means there are as many religious orders.

‘With that many, there will inevitably be a competitive structure.’

Judging and comparing who’s better or worse is a natural sequence of events.

While I don’t know about the divine beings above, the intellectual beings I’m aware of can’t achieve perfect harmony without any discord.

‘From the moment of birth, they exist isolated from others, so it’s only natural.’

The Rashar party I observed for several days were ordinary intellectual beings.

In a situation with seven orders, it was illogical to think there was no conflict or dispute.

Therefore, everyone was bound to focus on which temple the Outsider prophesized in the oracle would visit first.

This was not simply a matter to dismiss as a personal choice.

‘This would be the Outsider’s first political move.’

Wouldn’t Ahel, a native of this world, have known this?

‘No, he must have known the insider details of this place and that’s why he hinted at it.’

His intention was to score points with me.

‘There’s no need to ignore the clue he gave me.’

Regardless of my feelings towards Ahel, his advice was worth trusting.

His desire for my mana was genuine with no deceit.

“If you’re really in a hurry, we should go right away. Sir Bennett, I’ll take over the guidance from here, so you can go back and rest.”

Greg no sooner spoke than he exited the office.

I glanced at Rashar briefly before following Greg out.

“May I ask which god’s temple we’re going to?”

I asked calmly as we walked down the hallway, and Greg sent me a brief glance.

“The place serves all seven gods equally. It has been created so soldiers can offer their prayers to whomsoever they serve whenever they wish.”

No sooner had I thought whether it really was a temple, than Greg elaborated.

“Aspiring unity, the statues symbolizing each of the 7 Great Virtues are established, along with the symbol of the World Tree signifying harmony. Priests dispatched from each order are there managing it. I’ve been fortunate to meet Temoria in that place several times.”

It was as if he wanted to reassure me not to worry.

I nodded my head in agreement and silently followed behind Greg.

There was a tension that couldn’t be helped, fearing we might be headed to a secluded place.

Everything in this world was unfamiliar to me.

However, knowing not where the temple was, all I could do was follow him.

Luckily, we soon arrived at the snow-white building.

Without hesitation, Greg led me inside.

The first sight was a white statue in the center of the building.

‘A tree…’

Its leaves were intricately detailed and exquisitely carved.

Seven doors arched behind the tree statue.

As I surveyed this area, system messages began piling up.

「You’ve proven your existence to the Masters of the New World!」

「You’ve gained 20 Reputation as a reward for leaving a trace.」

「Visit a prayer room to unlock the Main Scenario!」

‘Main Scenario.’

That was the title of this hidden mission.

However unwilling, I was already familiar with this message as I asked.

“Can I take a look around the prayer rooms?”

“They are all prayer rooms.”

Greg wiped at his mustache and looked around.

Seven doors, each marked with a different symbol above.

No further explanation was needed.

“…… Which one is Palao’s?”

“Any particular reason you choose Palao’s temple?”

“Do I have a reason to choose elsewhere?”

It would have been enough of a response to indicate that unless they provided proper explanations, I wouldn’t either.

As expected, Greg, wearing a peculiar smile, pointed to the door on the far left.

“In order, they represent Humility, charity, kindness, Patience, chastity, temperance, and Diligence.”

The likelihood of Greg lying here was…

‘Slim.’

Until the discussion about reinforcements was completely settled, the upper hand remained with me.

‘Though I’m on guard.’

The desperation with which they clung to mere words of an oracle wasn’t yet sending them to gamble.

The evidence lay in Greg’s added remark as I opened the second door.

“I’ve escorted you here without question.”

“……”

“So now it’s your turn. Make sure you get a definitive answer regarding the matter you mentioned earlier.”

Though up until now, he’d submitted to my intentions, once I exited here, things would change.

Briefly halted by Greg’s warning, I continued to step forward.

Upon entering the prayer room and closing the door, a system window appeared.

「Do you wish to unlock the Main Scenario: Opening Story? (Y/N)」

It felt as if the paths I had taken unfolded before me.

Considering the worst of the worst, I pressed the button.

My vision was swiftly engulfed in darkness.

Damned System.