The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

“What’s the status of those players?”

“They are currently being escorted to the Purple Association through the portal.”

“Make sure they are kept safe and secure, as they must be very confused.”

“Yes, master.”

The gate wave that struck Earth was no longer just an issue for Earth. First and foremost, the accounts of those who lost their lives in the wave were completely deleted.

It seemed that when the life signals of capsule users disappeared, that information was transmitted to Connect. Connect Corp posted tributes to the victims in the community, along with a list of confirmed deceased.

With the number nearing five hundred thousand, the impact was substantial. The ‘Affordable Public Capsules’ that had been rolled out six months prior significantly increased the number of Connect users.

Capsule rooms sprouted up like internet cafes, and those who couldn’t obtain personal capsules could easily connect to Connect through public capsules. Thus, the number of active Connect users exceeded 200 million.

Among them, 500,000. While that might seem like a small ratio, the fact that someone you played with became deceased overnight was a heavy burden.

‘Moreover, that number may continue to rise.’

And this inevitably impacted Connect. In the days following the gate wave crisis on Earth. The number of players logged into Connect was less than a tenth of normal.

This put a strain on the territories that had relied on players for patrolling gates and fixed dungeons. With fewer players to hire for dungeon subjugation, more expensive NPC mercenaries or local soldiers had to be deployed.

Moreover, the absence of players was increasingly felt at borders where they faced the Empire or other races. Connect had grown significantly dependent on its players.

While the deletion of deceased accounts was inevitable, the real issue was those unable to log out. Connect Corp’s official stance was that logouts were temporarily restricted due to the inability to ensure the safety of capsules in the real world.

And related to this, several videos and experimental results were provided:

– Capsules with self-generated power can operate normally for up to one month even if the power supply is cut off.

– The nutrition provision function built into official capsules can ensure the user’s survival for up to one month.

Ultimately, this meant that capsule users could survive for up to a month without logging out.

To further reassure everyone—

Bang! Ratatatat!

The provided footage demonstrated the durability of the capsules. Even if gunshots were fired at them, they only incurred minor scratches as if protected by an invisible barrier. Hammer strikes failed to crack the reinforced glass of the capsules.

Thus, users were advised to remain calm and wait patiently without disconnecting from Connect until they could be rescued.

“The South Korean government will expedite the operation to excavate capsules buried under rubble…”

The government also committed to prioritizing the rescue efforts, giving some peace of mind to the trapped players. However, if players in the unloggable state were to die inside Connect?

No one could guarantee their safety.

Therefore, Raul took immediate steps to protect these players through the Purple Association.

“Thank you so much. I thought I was done for…”

“Hah, just knowing that I might have only one life made my heart race.”

“Truly, thank you, Purple Association. I will repay this kindness!”

Players expressed their gratitude for the swift protective measures taken by the Purple Association and the First Knight Order.

However, Raul couldn’t shake his unease. Official statements promised a swift rescue of those trapped in Connect.

‘Can we really save everyone? If the scenario I fear comes to pass…’

The capsules were indeed durable. But they weren’t flawless.

「…Upon examination, it’s clear they’re vulnerable to mana-infused attacks. While resistant to physical impacts, mana…」

Ilwoo reported with regret.

In essence, the capsules could withstand collapsed buildings and flying debris but were susceptible to attacks from monsters using mana.

This implied that…

*

In the ruins of collapsed apartments and buildings. Even among the general populace, there might be survivors, so the rescue operation had to be cautious.

Heavy machinery slowly cleared massive debris, but the pace was necessarily slow. Then, suddenly, a group appeared.

“Look, awakened individuals!”

“They’re rankers from First Management!”

Reporters quickly identified them. Ignoring the commotion, the awakened individuals deployed at the rescue site began to move swiftly.

Brrrr.

A large concrete chunk was lifted by psychokinesis.

“Here we go!”

Those with body-enhancement abilities hoisted complicated debris that heavy machinery couldn’t handle.

“Found a capsule here!”

“Move aside!”

The weight of a capsule containing a person was not insignificant. However, awakened individuals easily extracted the capsules and loaded them onto transport trucks.

“Detected a life sign 3 meters underground!”

“Over here! We need to lift this carefully!”

Those with detection and x-ray abilities quickly scanned the rubble to rescue survivors. Thanks to their efforts, the speed of the rescue operation greatly accelerated….

“Team Leader. What should we do about this?”

The priority in a rescue operation was to save the living. However, dealing with corpses was also an inevitable part of the process.

A guild member pointed to a capsule with a shattered glass shell, showing a body that had been fatally cut.

“…Recover it along with the capsule as per protocol.”

“Understood.”

Thus, more deceased individuals were continually found inside capsules at the rescue site.

*

The inevitable had occurred. As Raul received the news, that was his thought.

– Breaking News: Survivors found in Connect despite death in capsules.

– Some unloggable players confirmed dead in reality.

– Certain scientists demand Connect to release relevant data, deeming it impossible.

– Connect Corp has yet to issue an official statement.

Chaos ensued. The revelation that bodies were dead while minds remained active in Connect was shocking.

Some dismissed it as nonsense.

Others jeered, hoping it was true.

Some denounced it on ethical grounds, branding Connect Corp as a company of devils.

More extreme factions labeled it a grand conspiracy by Connect Corp.

“Connect Corp is duping everyone by creating ghost characters from personal data without consent! Reveal the truth and cease the unethical demonic technology!”

“Using humanity’s crisis for their gain, connect Corp must apologize immediately!”

“Awaken, devil’s company that disturbs the eternal rest of the departed!”

Crowds swarmed the headquarters of Connect Corp.

Various groups—religious bodies, academic circles, and civic organizations—demanded the truth and an apology, staging protests that flooded the news.

‘Pathetic antics…!’

Raul furrowed his brow and turned off the magic screen. Among those protesting outside, he wondered how many genuinely cared about the people trapped in Connect.

“Are we really dead?”

“Am I just a piece of data?”

“No, I’m alive! I’m definitely alive!”

In the special shelter set up in Calix Castle. Players who were in distress turned to Raul as he visited the shelter, crying out. They demanded to know if the broadcasts were true.

Why were they being treated as if they were dead when they knew they were still alive?

Were they really just data fragments?

Raul understood their sentiments all too well. After all, he had himself been reborn in Raul’s body after dying in his previous life.

Of course, while the situations were similar, the processes weren’t identical. Raul listened to their grievances and tried to comfort them. He couldn’t provide definitive answers because he himself didn’t fully understand the situation regarding these players.

However, he did share one certainty.

“You are all alive. You can think by your own will, and you can move your bodies. Whether it’s on Earth or in Connect doesn’t matter. So stay strong. The very fact that you can worry about this is proof that you’re alive.”

Raul himself was living inside the world of Connect. They, too, had to find their way to live. And Raul could provide some help to make their path a little less arduous.

‘Connect system. Just what exactly are you scheming?’

Returning from the meeting, Raul’s mind couldn’t shake the unease.

*

Amidst ongoing rescue efforts, the controversy continued unabated. Those who met supposedly deceased friends and family members inside Connect couldn’t accept that they were merely data.

They looked exactly as they had before they died. And yet, connect Corp remained silent. Back in the community, certain advice was circulating.

If a gate opens near your home and you miss the chance to escape, just get into your capsule and log into Connect.

The idea was that if the situation outside was dangerous, hiding in the capsule and connecting to Connect was safer than facing monsters.

Besides trusting the capsule’s shelter functionality, there was also hope that, even in dire circumstances, they might survive within Connect.

This information wasn’t just circulating among players; it was formally announced by governments worldwide. The prediction was that relying on the capsules and staying put might offer a higher survival rate than attempting risky escapes.

Moreover, special legislation regarding the treatment and compensation for awakened individuals was passed.

Registered awakened individuals were officially permitted to enter gate sites, and they would receive compensation for the monsters they defeated. To facilitate this, the Purple Association was officially summoned to reality.

Since most rankers and players were already affiliated with it, it was temporarily recognized as an official organization.

Players welcomed this decision, and an association of awakened individuals centered around the Purple Association was established on Earth.

Initially, their role wasn’t significant. It mostly involved identifying awakened individuals who could manifest their abilities on Earth and, in emergencies, requesting their deployment to gate sites.

Yet, even this level of involvement promised substantial support in emergencies. Thus, rescue operations, site recovery, and the establishment of the awakened association proceeded as time passed.

People began to return to their livelihoods, trusting in the new heroes and the now-alert government and military. But the sense of security was premature.

Fifteen days after the first gate wave started.

With only 75 days left until the final scenario.

“Oh! What is that?”

“Good grief. Another gate?”

“It can’t be, can it?”

People’s eyes trembled.

More gates appeared in the sky.

Among them was a blue gate.

A B-Grade gate.

Weee-oo-wee-oo!

Sirens blared, and panic seized the populace once again.

“Evacuate quickly! Establish new defensive lines according to the newly appearing gate grades!”

There would be no second mistake. With this determination, the military and government swiftly evacuated citizens and redeployed their forces.

Fortunately, as with the initial gate appearance, the gates didn’t open immediately. But everyone knew now.

That eventually, those gates would open. And amidst the urgency, the number of Connect users actually increased. The widespread knowledge that awakened individuals had manifested their abilities through Connect fueled this surge.

‘To become awakened, I need to level up in Connect quickly!’

This drew people into Connect, and infrastructure-established areas, including the Free Cities, were overflowing with players.

“Level 20 first job change players, please use this portal!”

“Hunting grounds in the Free City of Crion of the Leslie Kingdom have some space available!”

“Recruiting for a Level 30 dungeon raid team! Check the Purple Association recruitment board!”

Raul opened portals for free and made real-time hunting ground information available to assist the growth of new players.

He understood that players needed to grow quickly, both for the sake of Earth and Connect. And then, on the day when there were 70 days left until the final scenario.

The previously silent Connect system announced:

We thank all players for using Connect. The open beta service of the Connect system will end in 70 days.

This threw people into a frenzy of confusion.

(To be continued)

TL’s Corner:
Open beta, does that mean the scenarios are only tutorial?