The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

“The navigator says it’s around here, but I don’t see anything?”

The driver, puzzled, stopped the car and scanned the surroundings. The following cars also gradually came to a halt. Hundreds of vehicles lined up in the desolate area at the foot of the mountain.

As Ilwoo stepped out of the car, Purple Guild members began to emerge from the other vehicles.

“How about it? Feel anything?”

A man with light brown hair and a playful smile asked. His name was Xavier Adel. Ranked 7th in all of Connect. The highest-ranked mage player in the Purple Guild and Connect.

“Honestly, I can’t see anything. How about you?”

Ilwoo shrugged as he asked, and the other guild members shook their heads.

“If even Ilwoo can’t sense it, then it was definitely a success. Now, let me take a look.”

Wearing gloves, Xavier pulled out a small stick and drew a pattern in the air.

Woooong.

A small magic circle appeared, spinning in place before flying forward.

Fwoosh!

“Wow.”

“That’s impressive.”

The magic circle expanded to a diameter of 5 meters, creating a large hole in the air. And beyond it was a fortress wall. A 15-meter tall, colorless wall.

If it weren’t made of concrete, one might think they weren’t on Earth but in Connect.

“Alright, everyone, let’s go in.”

Xavier said with a broad smile, leading the way. After the hundreds of buses passed through the large gate, the hole in the air quietly closed. Soon, only an unremarkable hillside remained, adding a desolate touch to the landscape.

*

“So, how’s the new shelter?”

“It’s not perfect, but it’s really the best.”

In Raul’s office. Raul and Ilwoo sat across from each other, talking over tea.

“I never thought we’d actually use it like this.”

A few days prior. Not just in Korea, but First Company’s branches around the world relocated to new refuges. Initially, the headquarters and branches were housed in buildings in various cities.

But from the beginning, Raul had planned to establish dedicated compounds for First Company in quiet locations.

Since the business revolved around investment, management, and internet-related activities, there was no need to be located in city centers.

Therefore, Raul had been constructing residential and commercial complexes equipped with various convenience and auxiliary facilities solely for First Company employees.

However, when Ilwoo and other guild members began manifesting their abilities in the real world, the original purpose shifted somewhat.

‘I wanted to create a safe haven for the awakened in case they faced societal rejection.’

As a result, the complex included its own power generation facilities, reservoirs, food production setups, and even basic goods manufacturing facilities.

Moreover, after gates began appearing, the perimeter wall of the complex was transformed into a full-fledged fortress wall. It seemed excessive at the time, but in hindsight, it turned out to be almost prescient.

“How are the magic circles and barriers?”

“To be honest, it’s astonishing. Truly recreating those in the real world… I always think you’re incredible, Raul.”

Ilwoo looked at Raul with eyes full of admiration. Those who saw the magic circles and barriers might just think, ‘Oh, abilities are manifesting, and the magic circles work now’, but Ilwoo knew the process and couldn’t help but be impressed.

After learning that Ilwoo first awakened his abilities, Raul prepared and tested numerous things. He supported other guild members in checking if they could manifest abilities in the real world and provided training facilities.

He had mage players recreate various kinds of magic, magic circles, and barriers in the real world. And although not yet announced, the dedicated equipment capable of storing and using mana was also nearing completion.

‘What’s important is that significant results have only started appearing recently.’

Until the mana surge from the gate wave, there had been no meaningful outcomes. Research funds were pouring in, and many criticized it as a wasteful endeavor. But now, it was proving to be immensely beneficial.

Had they waited to start research or experimentation until after the crises unfolded, no one knew how long it would have taken to see results.

“How are the employees reacting? I imagine there was a lot of backlash since we essentially forced their families to relocate too.”

“What are you talking about? Everyone is singing your praises, Raul! You should have been there to see it, really.”

Raul had established shelters in most of the countries where First Company had branches. There were dozens of these shelters. It took five years to complete them.

No one knew how much money was invested.

‘But it was worth every penny.’

Initially, the investment was to win over the rankers contracted with Connect Management. Raul, who had no reason to return to Earth, wouldn’t have built these complexes if he wasn’t sure of their necessity.

Moreover, money was never an issue due to the sale of gold from Connect and the resultant investments by Connect Investment.

With the foresight from a café linked to future trends in the global economy over the next ten years and a genius hacker named Rabel who could easily obtain almost any information, what more could be said?

In any case, the preparations had paid off.

Raul’s people on Earth (First Company employees, Purple Guild members, allied guild members, and their families) had now relocated to these secure havens.

These shelters guaranteed basic survival with various production facilities combined with magical circles and barriers. They wouldn’t just protect against gate waves but also provide a minimum level of safety from other external threats.

‘A few more elements and it would be perfect.’

“Are mana stones and cores being secured smoothly?”

“That’s one area we’re really focusing on. The guild members are cooperating fully.”

Naturally, mana stones and core ores dropped from gates on Earth as well. Adapting to the changing world, these resources were essential.

“You’ve probably heard from Xavier, but we can’t compromise on that. It’s vital for the upcoming project to be completed.”

“I know. Besides, for now, we’re the only ones who can properly utilize it.”

With gates appearing, a crucial item was necessary. Something that played the biggest role in stabilizing Connect. It was the ‘Gate Creation Prevention Barrier Stone’.

The main reason humanity was suffering immense damage was that gates were appearing in the middle of cities. However, securing barrier stones would at least protect basic strategic locations.

The problem was the enormous number of mana stones and core ores needed to create these barrier stones.

Additionally, maintaining the barrier stones required a substantial amount of mana stones, so preparations had to be made in advance.

“Remember. Until the barrier stones are completed, don’t admit any civilians into the shelters.”

“…I know. I know we can’t save everyone.”

Until the gate waves stabilize, the priority for gate formation will be densely populated areas. Knowing this, governments hastily implemented population dispersion policies, but the situation remained dire.

In vast countries like the United States or China, it might be feasible. But in South Korea, there was neither enough land nor facilities to adequately disperse the population.

Moreover, who would easily abandon their homes and jobs to relocate?

This meant that evacuating people only after gates appeared was the only viable option.

「Master! New gates have appeared on Earth!」

Urgent news came through the guild’s communication network.

“Damn it. I have to go!”

“Be careful. Don’t overdo it. You know we need a long-term strategy for the gate crisis, right?”

“I got it. I’ll need your support from the back.”

“Understood.”

Ilwoo logged out.

“Sigh.”

Raul let out a slight sigh and headed to the situation room.

*

The third gate wave swept through Earth. And humanity had to cede even more territory to the monsters. Countless people who lost their homes were housed in makeshift shelters lacking proper facilities.

Food was distributed on a rationed basis, and even then, it was kept to a minimum. Various systems began to paralyze as humanity lost cities.

The relocation of various infrastructures couldn’t keep pace with the encroaching gates. Computer and communication networks were disrupted in many places, and losing ports crippled maritime trade routes.

With major cities crumbling, the citizens of small and medium-sized cities feared they might be next. The only silver lining was that gates exceeding B-Grade had not appeared.

As the number of awakened individuals increased and countermeasures against monsters were developed, the loss of human lives decreased significantly. But was this truly a good thing?

Governments, already strained by limited resources, were reaching their breaking point while trying to support their populations. Now, only about 40 days remained until the end of Connect’s open beta service.

“They are begging us to sell even a little bit of gold.”

“They’ve agreed to the conditions you set, President.”

“…The U. S. government sent a representative.”

In less than a month, the situation had turned completely. The stiff stances were now nowhere to be seen. Raul reviewed the demands from various governments and the assets and compensations they were willing to provide.

‘Offering government-owned land for free? Wow, they already have parliamentary approval?’

‘National bonds, shares of public enterprises, gold assets… Honestly, these aren’t that useful.’

‘Mandatory deployment of a certain number of players to Connect? What’s this? Did they even get agreement from those players?’

While there were promises to transfer Earth assets, there were also offers to repay gold through taxes over the long term and to provide players as a resource for Connect.

Whether those plans would unfold as intended was uncertain, but one thing was clear. The governments had already half given up on Earth.

‘Otherwise, they wouldn’t hand these over so easily.’

Raul’s eyes gleamed as he reviewed a few documents. And a few days later. Various military assets, including tanks and helicopters, were delivered to the First Company’s shelters.

*

“…You really won’t change your mind?”

“…I’m sorry. Even a lifetime wouldn’t be enough to repay the kindness you’ve shown me. But I can’t abandon Earth.”

Raul looked into Ilwoo’s eyes.

‘He’s already decided.’

Ilwoo’s eyes shone with resolute determination.

“Can I ask why? Honestly, you don’t have family here, and no one is stopping you.”

Raul asked with a hint of regret, and Ilwoo scratched his head slightly before showing Raul a screen with various messages.

– Uncle Ilwoo, thank you. My mother and I survived because of you.

– Thanks to you clearing the gate, I retrieved my parents’ precious mementos.

– I heard you’re not fighting for a hefty reward. It’s not much, but please take this and stay strong.

– Thanks to you….

There were countless thank-you messages and photos of gifts sent through various SNS and emails.

“To be honest, I thought about it a lot. Like you said, before connecting, I was just an insignificant orphan. Sometimes I thought I was just living because I had no choice. I didn’t have any fond memories left there, either.”

Ilwoo closed his eyes momentarily, reminiscing about his past. Even after entering Connect, he wasn’t remarkable from the start. His rise began after meeting Raul at the First Academy.

“But things changed after I met you. Without realizing it, I gained great power and became responsible for many people. That made me think a lot.”

Ilwoo had always wondered.

Why had such fortune come to him?

Was he truly deserving of this position?

“And I think I’ve found the answer now. This luck, this power given to me—it’s not meant for me to use for myself.”

Ilwoo placed his hand on Raul’s shoulder.

“I’ve been deeply grateful for everything. At times, I worried this choice might seem like a betrayal to you. But I also wanted to believe that you would understand. Because, just like me now, I’ve watched you struggle to protect everyone around you.”

“……”

Raul felt a surge of emotion and clenched his fist involuntarily.

“Now, it’s my turn. You’ll manage fine without me, but the people left on Earth need me.”

Raul placed his fist over his chest in a knightly salute.

“…I wish you all the best. I hope we can meet again someday.”

Ilwoo mirrored the gesture, placing his fist over his heart.

“I’m sorry. And thank you.”

For a moment, they stood there, eyes slightly teary, blessing each other’s futures. Thus, in Connect, their paths diverged.

(To be continued)

TL’s Corner:

Sadje. It’s kinda bittersweet that they had to part ways. The bromance is real with them.