The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

“Thank you for everything.”

“I couldn’t leave Ilwoo behind.”

“My parents wish to remain on Earth.”

“I want to save more people.”

After the meeting with Ilwoo. One by one, rankers from the Purple Guild came to bid their farewells to Raul. Understanding their choices, Raul wished each of them luck in their future endeavors.

Of the top 8 rankers within the overall top 10 of the Purple Guild, 7 chose to stay on Earth.

“Being the only one left feels a bit awkward. But I’ll continue to rely on you, master.”

The only one who remained was the rank 5 martial artist, louis Blake. He, too, had planned to stay on Earth, but due to the pleas of his family and comrades, he decided to remain in Connect.

Many rankers from the Purple Guild chose Earth, leaving their families in Connect. Someone had to look after their families here. Thus, louis took over as the head of the Purple Association and the deputy leader of the Purple Guild in place of Ilwoo.

‘Out of 500, only 200 remain.’

There were more defections than he had anticipated. Given the current state of Earth, connect would be a safer and better-off choice. Despite this, those who chose Earth likely felt a strong sense of responsibility or had pure intentions.

‘Well, I prioritized recruiting such individuals into the guild anyway.’

Raul chose not to dwell on it. The remaining 200 would still be of great help. All of them ranked within the top 1,000, and 30 had surpassed the 100-level milestone known as “superhumans”.

These individuals could represent and protect the Earthlings who would choose Connect in the future. Still, it was bittersweet knowing that those he had come to care for chose to face such perilous battlefields.

‘May they succeed in saving Earth as they wish.’

Raul’s face carried a hint of sadness.

*

With unanimous consent from the UN General Assembly, the newly named ‘Guardians’ organization has been recognized as a transnational independent international body.

– Guardians are guaranteed supranational independent operational rights concerning gates and monsters….

– Governments have pledged full support for Guardians’ activities and will maintain close cooperation with the military….

– To ensure efficient operations, Guardians have been permitted to establish their own military force….

Not long after. Media outlets worldwide announced the establishment of the new awakening organization, Guardians.

The foundation of the association was, of course, the Purple Association, and it was recognized not merely as a government-cooperating organization but as an independent international operating body.

And though it wasn’t announced to the media, parts of various countries’ military facilities and equipment were transferred, forming a substantial armed force.

The establishment of Guardians owed much to Raul’s efforts. It was the result of negotiations with governments and global corporations eager to migrate to Connect.

Now, with only a month left until the service ends. The fourth gate wave spurred their choices. While previous gates primarily targeted densely populated cities, the new wave struck production facilities.

Despite swift responses from the military and awakened individuals, gates emerging over industrial complexes caused significant damage. The problem was that this was only the beginning.

Once gates started appearing, it was inevitable they would keep occurring. Could humanity, having lost its production capabilities, effectively deal with the gates?

The situation on Earth was deteriorating too rapidly to pin hopes on miracles. As a result, many sought to negotiate with the First Knight Order, and Raul extracted everything he could from them.

“Has the item been delivered to Ilwoo?”

“Certainly. Xavier took it over with utmost care.”

“Let’s hope it works perfectly.”

“Don’t worry. Not only me, but the entire First Mage Tower team worked on modifying it.”

Hearing Rabel’s confident voice, Raul’s worries eased. What was delivered to Ilwoo was a blueprint. Specifically, the formula for creating the Gate Creation Prevention Barrier Stones.

If properly implemented, it would protect not only shelters but also crucial sites on Earth.

‘This is all I can do. The rest is up to you. Good luck, Ilwoo.’

Raul bit his lip, thinking of Ilwoo across dimensions. Then, lifting his head, he gazed at the distant, massive palisade.

“Let’s get started.”

“Prepare for battle!”

With Raul’s command, Philip drew his sword and shouted.

Sching. Whirr.

Behind Raul and Philip, fifty knights gripped their weapons tightly.

“Let’s go.”

Whoosh.

A legion of weapons surged from Raul’s back, blotting out the sky.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

“Enemies! It’s the First Knight Order!”

“It’s Count Raul! Call the knights, quickly…!”

Imperial soldiers atop the wooden fortress wall shouted and rang the emergency bell. But it was a futile effort. The fifty knights approaching the palisade had brilliant aura blades emanating from their swords.

With just a month remaining until the service ended, the First Knight Order finally drew their swords. And the southern part of the Elemental Jungle, held by the Imperial Army, was swept away like a tidal wave in an instant.

*

Thud.

As the branch planted itself in the center of the town tree, a fresh wave of mana spread out, forming a new barrier.

“Report. The Imperial forces have withdrawn from all outposts within 5 kilometers of the frontline. They appear to be gathering at the fortress in the Spirit Tree Forest.”

“Understood. Pull back our forces and establish a defensive line centered here.”

“Yes, master.”

In less than a fortnight, the First Knight Order had advanced through more than half of the Elemental Jungle. With over fifty superhumans making concentrated breakthroughs, the Imperial Army couldn’t mount a proper defense.

Once the Empire learned of their presence, they pulled all their forces back. This allowed the First Knight Order to occupy the town tree with little resistance.

But the element of surprise could only carry them so far. Coincidentally, the Empire had restructured their defenses at the fortress Raul had once crossed to save the fairy folk.

Naturally, they anticipated and prepared to counter the First Knight Order’s offensive.

‘I’ve already achieved the objective.’

Raul looked at the map with a firm resolve. He had no intention of provoking the Empire into a full-scale war. The territory occupied by the First Knight Order now encompassed about 20% of the entire Elemental Jungle.

‘This should be more than sufficient.’

Thud. Thud.

The sound of stone blocks being placed echoed through the Elemental Jungle as they were retrieved from the inventory.

*

Tick-tock. Tick-tock.

Time marched on unrelentingly. And finally, the moment Connect had foretold arrived.

Boom!

‘Ugh!’

A wave of overwhelming power swept across Raul’s entire body. It was as if the god of thunder had unleashed his wrath. The sky was a network of blue lightning, as if it was a mesh spread across.

All magical circles and barriers in Connect momentarily halted. Every living being felt an inexplicable pressure and ceased its movements. It was as if time itself had frozen; a scene straight out of an apocalypse.

Crackle.

For a moment, light disappeared, and everything returned to normal. As if nothing had happened.

“Rabel, are you okay?”

“Yeah, no problem.”

Rabel, who had stayed in the skill compendium just in case, appeared with a slightly tense expression. Closing her eyes momentarily to check something, she spoke.

“Raul, all connections with Earth are severed. The internet is down, and we can’t contact guild members.”

It seemed the connection between the two dimensions had indeed been cut, just as the Connect system had indicated. But the system itself hadn’t stopped. The internal community functions of Connect appeared to be still operational.

And almost on cue, a notification from Connect appeared before Raul’s eyes.

Notice

The open beta service has ended.

The update is complete.

The official Connect service has begun.

Update Details

– Player soul data has been fully transferred to their avatars.

– Players are now fully integrated as official residents of Connect.

– The open beta player privilege ‘Resurrection Power’ has been removed.

– The open beta player privilege ‘Experience Boost’ effect has been removed.

– The open beta player privilege ‘NPC Affinity Adjustment’ effect has been removed.

– Other functions of the Connect system (skill assistance, leveling system, inventory, information window, community system, etc.) will continue to be provided in the official service.

– Players’ reproductive functions have been activated. Species reproduction is now possible.

– Players’ synchronicity has been converted to 100%. Players will now have senses identical to the residents of Connect.

– For new official service players, a 6-month experience boost effect will be applied.

The ‘Resurrection Power’ in 16 Free Cities located in the four kingdoms of Connect has been removed. However, the power in the surrounding forests remains.

New Scenario Announcement

The official scenario 『Settlement』 has begun.

Players are given a grace period of 6 months. During the grace period, the kingdoms will not interfere with player territories. Utilize the given period to establish your foundation for living in the world of Connect.

After the period ends, the kingdoms will evaluate your power and either acknowledge, ignore, or reject your presence.

『Warning』 The grace period only applies to kingdoms. Protecting yourselves from monsters or other forces is your responsibility.

‘Damn.’

Raul clicked his tongue. The system’s message was clear. Players were now residents of Connect. The rapid growth and infinite resurrection, privileges once considered the greatest advantages of being a player, were now gone.

“This is going to be a headache.”

One life.

If you die, it’s truly the end. Knowing this, could players still hunt monsters and march onto the battlefield as they used to?

‘It’s unlikely.’

Even the seasoned players familiar with Connect would be more cautious. And the Earthlings who fled to Connect would be even more hesitant. But in the end, they would have to choose.

This wasn’t Earth; it was Connect.

A world where monsters roamed and wars were unending—a place of survival of the fittest. If they didn’t hone their skills, they’d eventually be swallowed by this world called Connect.

Would they utilize the Connect system to become powerful hunters?

Or would they succumb to fear, squander their opportunities, and remain mere subordinates?

It was all up to their decisions.

Of course, Raul didn’t plan to just stand by and watch.

「Everyone, gather in the conference room. All Purple Guild members, attend as well.」

After all, he couldn’t abandon those who had come under his wing, nor those who would come. Raul had the power to protect and support them until they adapted to this new world.

It was time to truly separate the wheat from the chaff.

*

Five hundred million.

It was far from a small number.

The number of Earthlings who chose the official Connect service far exceeded Raul’s expectations. And 80% of them, or four hundred million, were new players who had never once logged into Connect.

Most of the Earthlings who passed the compatibility test had chosen Connect. They had ample motivation for it. On the eve of the decision, numerous gates appeared on Earth, heralding the fifth gate wave.

Those who were hesitant until the end concluded that there was no future on Earth. And predictably, the majority of the immigrants included heads of state and politicians from various countries.

Bang!

“This is not what we were promised!”

“What do you mean?”

Bernard, unfazed, blinked and asked as if he didn’t understand the issue.

“The land your master promised! He assured us it was a place beyond the reach of any kingdom’s power, where we could exercise autonomy!”

The one protesting vehemently was Kitaro Azuki, the Prime Minister of Japan. And it seemed the other government heads gathered behind him shared the same sentiment.

(To be continued)

TL’s Corner:
Greedy pigs making noises.