Damned System

Chapter 57. Server Connection (1)

At first, everything visible was shrouded in black.

Even with eyes open, it was likened to having them shut during a deep night.

How many seconds passed like that? A change occurred in the vision filled solely with darkness.

A crack formed with a sharp noise on one side.

With a loud bang echoing from somewhere, the crack further expanded.

Bang, bang, bang.

At the end of several consecutive echoes, the crack finally broke through.

Beyond that hole appeared an eye of red where the whites and pupils were indistinguishable.

I knew those eyes.

‘They’re monsters.’

The hole grew larger and more numerous.

Monsters started appearing in the forest, the lake, the field, and the desert.

Following that, villages were set ablaze, cities crumbled, and wailing people were devoured by the monsters, taking over my vision sequentially.

This was a summary video of the calamities that befell this world.

It felt like watching a B-grade movie.

‘A literal main scenario.’

It was akin to the opening, explaining the worldview one needs to understand before gameplay.

Subsequently, an explanation of the gameplay commenced.

Seven symbols I saw before entering the dark prayer room surfaced in my mind.

‘The 7 Great Virtues and gods.’

I continued watching the video, understanding the game’s basic rules.

‘It seems like deciding which of the seven churches you’ll be affiliated with.’

Players in this game are affiliated under different gods, in essence, in the world of Bihar.

“This condition doesn’t appear entirely clean…”

It was merely an intuition, but I couldn’t shake off the thought that choosing an affiliated faction was for political use.

“Players grow.”

Eventually, people with tremendous mana like Rashar would appear.

And the achievements or performances they set?

“Will all be attributed to their affiliated church’s prestige.”

The hidden intention behind faction selection seemed visible and vivid.

Of course, it wasn’t entirely a form of exploiting players.

Choosing an affiliated faction came with various benefits.

“The initial buffs vary by faction, and you can receive a god’s blessing like a holy knight or a priest.”

Given that a god’s power is being used, there would be numerous conditions, but being able to use one of the 7 authorities was a substantial merit.

Briefly engrossed in the video to understand the relevant content.

“Wait.”

Suddenly, an unsettling question formed in my mind.

“So, do I have to decide on a faction to use just one among them?”

If I made the wrong choice, the hard-earned authority from the hidden mission might be lost.

Could it be that because I already used Finelpenia’s side, that’s the faction I’m assigned to now?

Then what about Karlos’s authority? Rashar said it was precious.

“I used it before the main scenario opened.”

So, maybe it’s still okay, I reassured my anxious mind.

Despite all that, I let out a hollow laugh because of the ongoing video.

Suddenly disgusted with the system pretending to be a legitimate game.

What’s the point in organizing a plausible worldview and explaining the gameplay direction?

Even if it pretends to be a game, fooling people’s eyes, the fact it was a war in reality didn’t change.

Ultimately, my speculation regarding the word “hope” in the oracle turned out right.

“Damned…”

The system was trying to involve the players in this war.

Forcing them without even seeking preliminary consent.

By the end of all the videos, my eyes turned frigid.

“There’s no word about the Hole.”

Unless I verify this, I can’t make a decision.

Must I inquire directly after receiving the rewards from the hidden mission?

As I pondered over a method, the darkened vision was slowly brightened.

Eventually, when the scene of the prayer room I initially entered became clear.

“Gasp!”

Suddenly, a massive presence aimed towards me.

「You’re late.」

And then, words began to form in my senses.

‘What is this?’

It felt like words, not a voice, conveying awareness directly.

「You broke the promise.」

「Must hold accountable.」

The more the words repeated, the stronger the presence became. More than one.

It felt like gigantic presences squeezed into me, dismantling the existing ones.

I tried enduring, but my body collapsed.

My survival instincts sent a danger signal as I lay pitifully on the floor.

‘I’m about to break.’

I couldn’t withstand being an existence any more.

If this situation continued for even a few more seconds, it would have been the end for me.

Regretful of my choices that led me here and anxious for the siblings left behind, I’d have helplessly died.

But fortunately, my end was postponed.

「The system absorbs the piece of divinity.」

The moment I felt a sense of crisis, a message popped up, and the presence squeezing me began to disappear.

“Gasp, gasp!”

It felt like the air was being let out of an overinflated balloon.

After barely catching my breath, I carefully got up, using the floor.

And I glared at the empty prayer room. There was something peculiar about the flow of words I heard moments ago.

‘Late? Promise? Responsibility?’

What on earth were they referring to?

Suddenly, a system message appeared.

《System Message》

〈If you hadn’t released #「email@protected」!!^$%f from the start, such convoluted events wouldn’t have happened.〉

It was an odd system window, unlike the ones I had seen before.

‘System message…?’

While contemplating the unfamiliar form, I began wondering if perhaps…

The thought of possible word constructions clouded my mind.

Once again, an invisible presence felt like sifting through me.

「He came personally? It would have been pleasant if greetings were given beforehand.」

Fortunately, it didn’t feel like before where it tore me apart.

The strange presence merely passed through me.

《System Message》

〈You seem to imply that without me, your attitude would have changed.〉

Holding my breath, I aimed to understand the situation.

「No such thing.」

「Other-worldly divinity, it bothers us that we could not show proper etiquette.」

「Speak precisely. We didn’t release #「email@protected」!!^$%f. We missed it.」

「You seem overly agitated. Perhaps calming down first would be wise.」

The overlapping words hinted at the presence of multiple voices.

Likely the 7 gods of this world.

The presence passing through me was probably the divinity.

‘Indeed, the system mentioned absorbing the divinity.’

It seemed apparent the earth’s system and the gods of this world gathered through me in one place.

‘Why only now?’

Was this not the system that only occasionally showed its presence through the capitalist trait?

Never before had I seen it openly expressing intentions at my location.

‘Was it not about not stepping forward, but couldn’t step forward?’

Possibly some restrictions existed, like updates.

‘Perhaps the divinity is a special energy that fulfilled such restrictions.’

I made several deductions heading in various directions.

Meanwhile, system windows continued to appear.

《System Message》

〈I am completely rational here. You might find it unsettling that you receive no single apology.〉

《System Message》

〈I warn you, every Outsider you’ll meet from here on is essentially my apostle.〉

《System Message》

〈Mistreating them or attempting to exploit them, I won’t hold back any longer.〉

《System Message》

〈Worst comes to worst, I’ll release the #「email@protected」!!^$%f I’m holding. Don’t forget we have plans and time for preparations without you.〉

「It exploded too quickly to be stopped.」

「Hope you believe it wasn’t deliberate.」

「Have mercy on the powerless believers.」

「We are weary from the long war. A mere mistake due to that, but pushed so forcefully, how might we collaborate bigger plans together?」

The exchange allowed me to grasp the general vibe.

‘They lost that strange character.’

The system seized it, granting leverage from the gods, seemingly.

‘Releasing it immediately would severely trouble the 7 gods.’

I saved pondering what exactly it was for later.

For now, I must dig into the unease the conversation left behind.

Even if they claimed losing that strange character was a mistake, could that be believed as it is?

‘They did mention responsibility earlier.’

The 7 gods initially showed hostility.

Almost as if attempting to pin something on me.

Yet, as soon as the system appeared, they swiftly switched attitudes.

I wasn’t foolish enough not to grasp what it implied.

Without the system’s surveillance, to them, someone like me was just an existence they could easily trample upon.

‘Fuck…’

A curse naturally spilled out from within.

《System Message》

〈Don’t forget this is your last chance.〉

At that moment, the system message appeared once more, and voices poured down like rain.

An obvious attempt to wrap up hastily could be felt vividly.

Being pointed out their mistake, yet not taking proper responsibility and brushing it off.

Seeing that unfold made my anger surge rapidly.

Simultaneously, a multitude of complex thoughts swiftly fluttered through my head.

‘There’s no guarantee the system will always block them.’

Allowing treacherous individuals to remain unchecked was nonsensical.

“Wait.”

As I abruptly opened my mouth, both the system and the 7 gods were instantly silent.

Seeming unsure how to react, they paused.

I seized the moment, taking a deep breath.

Uncertain whether speaking up now is the right step.

Maybe, staying put might have been advisable.

There’s truth to the saying about holding half when remaining silent.

Emerging during a barely comprehended situation might lead to errors.

However, knowing this, I still couldn’t remain still.

“You can’t just overlook this.”

Barely a few minutes. I faced this world’s gods for barely a few minutes.

Within those few minutes, I glimpsed into these beings’ ulterior motives and nature.

They showed no intention of veiling their denigrated thoughts.

‘How contemptible must they find me…’

Switching stances upon the system’s appearance, then making excuses after being pointed out for wrongdoings.

“How is there not even one apologizing?”

Every single one made excuses, incited guilt, or shifted responsibility.

Under such circumstances, knowledge came, even if unwanted.

To them, players like me were merely expendable tools.

Thus, I was taking a gamble-like stance.

Today’s negligence could lead to immense harm down the road.

“Hey, system.”

My voice stood out peculiarly within the silent prayer room.

Despite knowing less than I did, I had to act informed from now on.

‘War, hole, system and gods’ intrigues, game, player, dispatch.’

Bundling all the presumptions I made thus far, presenting pure bravado with genuine bravado, as plausibly as possible!

“Is this really the best you can do?”

I asked with an exasperated voice.

“Just look at what they’re doing.”

I brushed off my knees as I grounded myself on both feet, continuing my words.

“They’re only going to pull us down, let’s just do it ourselves.”

Neither the system nor the 7 gods said a word.

It wasn’t a case of childishness over me intruding… No.

‘They stated treating me like an apostle of the system.’

In this world, an apostle of a god is presumed to hold substantial status.

It ought to carry a modicum of a speaking role.

Their silence reflected shock at my timing and words.

Thus, I pushed further.

‘Dammit, bending over backward to such allies, and being so naive makes us a pushover.’

I boisterously lashed out into the void with no replies.

Damn system.