Damned System

Chapter 59. Server Connection (3)

「I am also sorry if my apology felt insincere.」

The divinity I first experienced was overwhelming and heavy. Overall, it had a strong sense of unpleasantness, to put it plainly.

The other divinities that followed were not much different.

However, Senoa’s divinity was a bit different.

‘Is it because the virtue she represents is humility?’

Overall, it felt cautious and calm.

「And thank you very much for arranging this meeting today. Thanks to it, I can see hope for the future that once seemed only dark.」

Because of this, it was hard to push aggressively as I did with the others.

‘I find these types uncomfortable.’

Without sensing combat instinct from the other side, I felt my energy draining as well. As I closed my mouth with a sense of discomfort, I thought I sensed a faint smile.

Was Senoa mocking me? Suspecting this, I frowned, but then Senoa spoke.

「Please consider this as a token of my gratitude.」

In front of me, a golden light formed and soon became a pearl the size of my fist. As I quietly watched it, the system intervened.

「The God of Humility, Senoa, presents you with a gift on behalf of Bihar.」

It seemed she meant for me to accept it, so I reached out. As my fingers touched the pearl, it absorbed into my body.

「The title ‘Mark of Alliance’ is being created.」

Feeling a slight tremor, I quickly checked the newly added title in my status window.

「Mark of Alliance」

• Description: A gift from the chief gods of Bihar, expressing their gratitude for your achievements.

• Effect: You can use all seven great authorities regardless of your affiliated faction.

Even though I tried to suppress my excitement, my fingertips trembled. My heart was relieved of a problem that had been bothering me throughout the main scenario.

‘I don’t have to sacrifice Karlos’s authority.’

With a discreet sigh of relief, I prepared to part with Senoa.

「Then, now…」

“Wait, I would like to ask something of… I would like to inquire about Palao.”

I hastily grabbed him, realizing this was a rare opportunity to converse with the gods.

I was curious why Ahel specifically recommended Palao. I wondered if I could gather some clues by speaking directly. Yet, no response came back.

‘What is this, perhaps he didn’t come at all?’

Could it be that Palao was absent from this gathering?

Or was Senoa preventing us from speaking?

Whatever the truth might be, I pondered for a moment.

「Charity’s Palao has perished.」

A surprising answer came from an unexpected source through unfamiliar divinity.

In total, six gods were gathered here, including Senoa and the one who just spoke.

“…… I see.”

The announcement of Palao’s demise sufficiently explained why Ahel recommended Palao’s temple.

‘A kind of neutral zone.’

The church of Palao had lost its head. Therefore, other cults or gods didn’t regard it as important, a declining church without a reason to be checked.

「Wishing you success.」

No sooner had I realized that fact then the divinity that delivered news of Palao’s demise left a blunt farewell and disappeared.

「Let’s proceed with the covenant.」

《System Message》

〈I will start the connection work as soon as possible.〉

A brief exchange followed between Senoa and the system.

「Until we meet again, farewell.」

The colossal presences disappeared, leaving me standing alone in the empty prayer room, breathing deeply.

Since the gods departed, the system was next.

“Hey, system.”

Upon my low call, a white barrier formed around me.

It was just like the shield seen in Level 1 and 2 missions. Obviously, the system wanted to block our conversation from the view of the six gods.

As expected, once the barrier completely encased me, the system window popped up in front.

《System Message》

〈Yes, Player Kang Hyunwoo.〉

Confirming its presence, I clenched my fists tightly and murmured with growing anger.

“You scoundrel…….”

Normally, I would have raised my voice and vented my anger by now.

In my opinion, my relationship with the system was a mess, at least.

Yet, my boiling anger didn’t escape.

《System Message》

〈I sincerely apologize for the sudden burden I have imposed on you.〉

It wasn’t due to the system’s polite response nor its initial apology. The main reason was my knowledge from reading the main scenario, which prevented my anger from surfacing.

I roughly grasped the condition of this world called Bihar and Earth.

Ranting wouldn’t change the miserable situation.

《System Message》

〈I would also like to sincerely thank you. Thanks to Player Kang Hyunwoo, the expected period required for the server connection has been dramatically reduced.〉

With a somewhat hollow feeling, I read the system’s words as I clutched my fists.

《System Message》

〈Please let me know if there is anything you need or if you have any questions. I will find a way to support your play if it is necessary.〉

“Sigh.”

I sighed so hard, it felt like the floor might give way, and I rubbed my face.

It’s time to achieve what I struggled to reach so far.

“Why are you being so cooperative today?”

Nevertheless, due to lingering hostility, my tone naturally carried some sarcasm. Yet, the system replied calmly as if undisturbed.

《System Message》

〈Thanks to the divinity left by the chief gods of Bihar, we have temporarily gained some peace.〉

It dawned upon me; if this direct communication was temporary, then it was no time to waste.

I promptly raised my issue.

“Is the hole really connected to Earth or not? Did players come and go through that hole?”

The urgency was related to the holes.

《System Message》

〈Yes, precisely.〉

I gathered my breath, grinding my teeth, and asked again.

“Can monsters also pass through it?”

My voice trembled slightly; this issue mattered deeply to me.

《System Message》

〈Yes, but currently, I have blocked access on my end.〉

Recalling the numbers in the mission list, I felt a vast emptiness beneath my feet.

《System Message》

〈Of course, it will eventually be used as a pathway for the enemy unless completely destroyed. Bihar fell to invasion just like that.〉

I guess Bihar would be a fitting name for this world.

Our world is Earth, whereas this world is Bihar.

Of course, the crucial matter isn’t the name of this world.

The hole connecting Earth and Bihar is of utmost importance.

What I deduced from the pieces of information I had painstakingly gathered was correct, much to my dismay.

Perhaps due to suspecting it for some time, the shock wasn’t colossal. Just overwhelming.

《System Message》

〈The period during which the hole was left unattended following the failure of the existing gate was too long. Had the server been connected two years ago, things wouldn’t have been this chaotic.〉

Murmurs that followed from the system barely registered.

Catching precarious breaths, I suddenly gritted my teeth.

I can’t remain dumbstruck indefinitely.

‘Get it together. It’s not like I was totally ignorant.’

Gathering my weakening body, I steadied my mind.

After verifying the hole’s connection between Earth and Bihar, there was only one course of action.

I can’t allow them to come to Earth.

I absolutely cannot stand the idea of those creatures threatening those close to me.

‘I’d rather die than allow that sight.’

One person enduring this terrifying journey since the tutorial is sufficient.

With my mind set on this, I have no choice.

I must thoroughly eliminate the monsters here in Bihar.

Rubbing my face roughly, I began calming myself down.

‘Venting rage won’t change anything. There’s no time to waste on that, either.’

The system’s apology didn’t ease my mind, nor did it release the pent-up emotions.

The fact that it threw me into peril doesn’t change; therefore, I cannot forgive the system.

One day indeed, I shall repay the resentment I felt during the tutorial.

But just not now.

‘Survival of humanity.’

To solve that grand issue, I need the system’s power.

Hence, I’ve decided to bury the past rage deep, deep in my heart, in a place visible only by forceful revelation.

From this moment onward, I have a temporary cooperative relationship with the system.

Reconfirming this several times, my head felt clearer.

‘What do I need to tackle first?’

Verify what they meant by server connection and their gratitude?

‘No.’

From their dialogue, that’s already a fixed agenda.

The server connection would commence soon and couldn’t be reversed.

Moreover, the term ‘server’ implied its significance.

‘There’s already a separate Earth server, so this Bihar server will open anew.’

Roughly speculating the meaning, a pre-confirmed matter doesn’t require particular scrutiny or explanation.

Discussing topics related to gods is more crucial.

I must function in a world dominated by them hereafter.

“Those I met just now seem unreliable.”

《System Message》

〈If quantified into a trust percentage, it’d be about 28%. This includes some consideration toward Senoa and Karlos.〉

Essentially stating that it’d be wiser to remain skeptical despite apparent cooperation.

“What are the relationships among those seven… no, six gods?”

《System Message》

〈Although they refer to themselves as siblings, as witnessed, the unity is inadequate.〉

“Do they bicker often amongst each other?”

《System Message》

〈I dare say I do not know their exact relationship; however, I know inter-church disputes are fairly frequent.〉

Expected, perhaps? I was hardly surprised.

Even when cornered by the enemy, cults diversified, raising voices in conflicts and disputes.

During such times, a supportive alliance for the war emerged.

‘We shall see what developments arise in the future.’

Ahel had stated that most demi-humans didn’t know how to wield mana.

In a situation where most were non-combatants, adding thousands or tens of thousands of combat units became invaluable.

All cults will be eager to recruit players with flaming ambition.

‘Growing military strength would bolster a church’s power.’

The players’ affiliation is more critical than expected.

Indiscriminately picking one without knowing any better felt like placing support under the sole user and abandoning ourselves.

‘The humility of Senoa, kindness of Karlos, and charity of Palao.’

Memorizing the names of these three, I stifled a sigh.

‘The remaining four need to be monitored.’

Griping about unreliable partners falling from the heavens would change nothing.

Instead of fretting over unchangeable things, it’s better to tackle other elements.

“You mentioned you’d do anything to support my play?”

Specifically, constructing necessary methods.

《System Message》

〈Yes, indeed.〉

The system accorded me the answer I sought.

If rephrasing or denying it would’ve incurred my ire again.

‘After the hoopla about server connection and gratitude, perhaps they will accommodate some requests if I ask now.’

No need to ponder deeply about what’s essential for playing this game.

“What about game updates? Is that feasible?”

For the future’s sake, I need to tailor this crazy game somewhat to my taste.

Damned System

TL’s Corner:
I forgot to mention this before, but that prick David is getting on my nerves. I hope that dude dies horribly.

Also, now that I think about it, this story resembles SCOG a bit, minus the harem.