I Became an Illegal Cheat User

114 – Greed Raid – Interlude (2)

“The outsiders, they have recognized you.”

Outsiders.

The usurpers have come to know you.

Baek Yu-hwa’s eyes, as she spoke, shone with a seriousness that was far from her usual indifference.

This meant that it was a matter of grave importance even to the deity.

“Ah… so it has come to this, has it?”

“…Hmm? Has it come to this?”

Perhaps it was because I spoke calmly, without a hint of surprise.

Her eyes widened slightly, as if she had seen an unexpected reaction.

“Since you say ‘has it come to this,’ I suppose you already knew.”

“Yes, well… I had a rough idea since I heard that the Apostle had fled.”

Honestly, it was impossible not to anticipate it.

The Fourth Apostle, he realized that the source of my cheat was the outsiders, the usurpers.

As long as that kind of person hasn’t died and has escaped this place, they must have informed not only other apostles but also the foreign entities I serve of my existence.

“I can’t say they wouldn’t report it.”

A troubling enemy now possesses the power of the god I serve?

Even I would try not to die. No matter the immense cost, I would find a way to survive and report back to the higher-ups.

“Well… that kid is clever, so I suppose they would have figured it out without me saying anything.”

Baek Yu-hwa nodded.

“But it seems like, despite knowing, they don’t really grasp the seriousness of the situation.”

Um… no?

“I’m very aware of the seriousness…”

The reason I appear calm is simply because there’s nothing I can do about it right now.

I wanted to say that, but—

“Listen well, child.”

A first-generation transcendent who has lived for hundreds of years, a god.

And the chairperson of the Arena Academy I attend.

How could I interrupt their words?

“The fact that the foreign entities have recognized you means you have become a dangerous existence, and it’s a signal that your safety is at risk. Therefore, you should not take the current situation lightly…”

Thus, I couldn’t even voice the words inside me.

I had no choice but to quietly listen to her lengthy speech, her concerned advice.

Starting with the threat of foreign entities and the danger to my safety.

Apostles, corrupt beings, monsters, and villains.

After hearing a long discourse on various evils and their definitions.

“…So what I want to say is that you must learn to defend against the mental attacks of those foreign entities.”

The main point flowed from Baek Yu-hwa’s lips.

“Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“…Yes. I understand.”

But did I merely understand?

Since I had already experienced it through the game without Baek Yu-hwa needing to say anything.

I know how strong the mental attacks of the foreign entities are, and how wide their reach can be.

That’s why I’ve already planned to acquire mental-related skills or talents by settling the rewards from this main quest and the achievement quest.

So please.

I hope the sermon ends here.

Could it be that my earnest wish was conveyed?

“Hmm, really?”

Baek Yu-hwa stopped her sermon.

“Then I suppose you know what gift I promised to give you.”

No, surely not.

Was the sermon up to this point just a buildup for the gift?

I stared blankly at Baek Yu-hwa, feeling utterly bewildered.

Then, shaking off my daze, I spoke to her.

“I think it might be related to mental strength.”

The dangers of the apostles and foreign messages that had been drilled into my head just moments ago.

And recalling how she had emphasized the enhancement of mental strength multiple times… I couldn’t possibly not know what the gift was.

At my answer, Baek Yu-hwa smiled with satisfaction. Then she shoved her hand into the inner pocket of her coat.

She pulled out a small box that seemed to contain some kind of elixir, much like the spiritual potion I had received last time.

“Yes, as you said, the gift I intended to give is something good for enhancing mental strength.”

Baek Yu-hwa said this as she tossed the small box to me.

“Thank you so much for the gift!”

As I received the box, I intended to bow deeply in gratitude once again…

“Oh, by the way, last time, Yu-baek mentioned that you do that grand bow? Very well.”

Suddenly, Baek Yu-hwa brought up the grand bow I had done for the principal.

“I’d like to see that grand bow just once. Would you do it for me?”

At her words, I stood there in an awkward position, neither bowing nor standing straight, staring blankly.

Then, with an expectant look in her eyes, Baek Yu-hwa sighed and said,

“If you don’t want to, you don’t have to….”

“Chairwoman, please accept my bow!”

What am I saying, completely against my will!

Before she could feel disappointed, I quickly performed the grand bow.

&

“They say it’s the best of bows, and indeed, as Yu-baek said, it is so.”

Seeing my deep bow filled with respect, Baek Yu-hwa smiled contentedly and leaned back against her chair.

In response to her demeanor, I chuckled softly and tucked the box I was holding into my inventory.

Of course, I wanted to check what was inside the box right away.

However, in this space where the deity resides, the system appraisal cannot be used, and it would be quite rude to openly open the box in front of the person who gave me the gift.

So, I decided to save the joy of checking the gift for later, along with the quest reward settlement.

Before leaving this place, I cautiously asked her about something I had been thinking since I first saw her.

“Is it because your complexion is pale?”

“Yes, I’m quite curious about that reason.”

Baek Yu-hwa tilted her head and replied.

“Rather, I want to ask you. Why are you curious about why my complexion is pale?”

Why am I curious, you ask?

It’s because I can’t understand how a transcendent being, almost a demigod, could miss the fourth apostle, who has power similar to that of a second-generation transcendent, and then struggle after the fight.

But I couldn’t just say what was on my mind.

“Well, it makes sense. You are strong enough to handle the fourth apostle with ease. Yet, since your complexion hasn’t been good after fighting him, I was wondering if you might be unwell…”

I tried to phrase my thoughts in a way that she would understand what I was asking while ensuring her feelings wouldn’t be hurt.

In response to my careful answer, Baek Yu-hwa nodded as if she understood.

“Well, it’s understandable to be curious. It’s only natural that I would look drained after missing an apostle, especially when I’m much stronger than those apostle beings.”

I’m truly curious.

How did the fourth apostle manage to escape from the deity?

Why did the deity look so pale, as if all strength had drained from him?

My curiosity surged to the point where I wanted to ask everything that was on my mind.

But I kept it to myself.

Just quietly.

“Hmm.”

Resting my chin on my hand, lost in thought.

Drumming my fingers on my thigh like playing a piano.

I waited for her lips, which were gazing at me intently, to part.

And after a brief moment passed.

“Ah, yes.”

At last, her crimson lips parted.

And what I had never considered, or rather, had no knowledge of.

“I could not kill that wretched Fourth Apostle because I am bound to this world, or more precisely, to this space.”

She revealed a backstory that had not appeared in the game.

“…Does being bound to this space mean you are under some kind of constraint?”

“You’re quite clever, aren’t you? You grasp it immediately.”

“…….”

At her praise, I fell silent.

No, to be precise, I was rendered speechless by a memory that surfaced.

‘…So this is why the appearance of the Deity has been so rare.’

In the game “Arena Academy,” the Deity has a very low frequency of appearance until the foreign entity shows up and begins to move in earnest.

Thus, of course, both I and the players had searched for countless ways to make the Deity act.

Yet, not a single one could be found.

Even if we left the Corrupted Ones to raid the Academy.

Even if we tried to lure the Apostles into the Academy.

Unless it was something significant that the players could not resolve, something that would impact the world.

The Deity never assisted the players.

‘But to think that the reason was being bound to this space.’

I felt as if I had unraveled a secret of the world.

But that feeling was fleeting.

‘Wait a moment… then the Deity before me is acting out of line, isn’t it?’

Unlike the game’s Deity, who remained motionless until the foreign entity appeared.

The Deity in reality had broken free from this space, despite the constraints, to confront the Fourth Apostle.

That meant the constraints could become even stronger, couldn’t they?

‘No, it might have already intensified.’

As soon as I thought that, I opened my mouth.

And just as I was about to ask.

“Your thoughts are correct.”

Baek Yu-hwa informed me first that the constraints had indeed grown stronger.

“But do not worry. Though the constraints have tightened a bit, I can still easily contend with six Apostles.”

Facing six Apostles with ease…

‘But didn’t you just let the fourth Apostle slip away?’

On top of that, I had lost so much strength that my complexion turned pale.

How could I possibly contend with six Apostles?

‘Yet, it doesn’t sound like mere bluster.’

I can’t even imagine it.

That great and noble deity boasting.

‘Then it must be true.’

How could that be?

‘Ah, is that it?’

I recalled the words I had just heard from Baek Yu-hwa.

‘Bound to this world, this space.’

A dimensional rift—does that mean they can’t wield their power in other worlds?

As that thought settled in, I asked.

“Yes, that’s right. As you surmised, I cannot use my power within the dimensional rift.”

Baek Yu-hwa nodded in agreement.

‘If that’s the case… I must hurry to grow stronger before the Chairman’s constraints become more severe.’

I felt as if my shoulders had grown heavier.

But it couldn’t be helped. I had to endure.

To ensure that the deity wouldn’t escape this space every time an Apostle appeared.

If I needed the deity’s help when foreign entities showed up.

I had no choice but to grow stronger quickly.

“Chairman, I will become stronger soon.”

“Yes, put in the effort.”

Baek Yu-hwa chuckled softly, waving a hand.

In that moment, just like last time, my body was suddenly pushed back.

Ding.

And once again, I found myself neatly entering the elevator as it opened at the right moment.

“Then let’s meet again next time.”

With Baek Yu-hwa’s words promising a future encounter, the elevator doors closed.

[Descending.]

The second audience has concluded.