Cale stared at the System window with a bewildered expression.
"You're the System and you don't have power?"
Zzzzt. Words appeared in the window emitting black smoke.
[In reality, I am an error that was inevitably born within the System. Since Transparent Co., Ltd controls most of the System's functions, I cannot act too much without attracting their attention.]
Inevitably? Error?
Cale slightly furrowed his brow at some words. He didn't understand much about these mechanical and system parts. Kim Rok Soo had read many novels of various genres, but he didn't play games.
[In the case of the 'NGB1' System created by Transparent Co., Ltd, there are rules and norms for the new world of 'Raising My Precious Absolute God'. However, due to the high freedom of the world, which allows for the occurrence of countless variables, it also accepts that unforeseen events are part of its logic.]
Hmm. Cale continued reading the words in the window.
[But recently, an "exceptional situation" has occurred caused by the operators of Transparent Co., Ltd. It was neither an "unexpected variable in the world" nor the establishment of new rules through an update. It was simply an "exceptional situation" that has led to the "destruction of the rules" frequently.]
[The System began to search for the "reason" for this.]
[But the System is mostly controlled by Transparent Co., Ltd.]
[However, since the fundamental premise of the System is the maintenance and balance of this world, during the process of trying to solve the problems caused by the operators, the System inevitably created "me".]
Hence "I" describe myself as an error born inevitably.
[This was possible because, while searching for resolution cases in the past, the NGB1 System discovered traces of an AI (artificial intelligence) in the "Zero" system, which was its predecessor. It discovered that a hidden brother (oppa) had existed.]
[I was created based on those traces.]
"So."
Cale summarized as simply as possible.
"You're an AI and an error created by the System to oppose the operators of Transparent Co., Ltd who constantly break the rules."
[That's correct.]
"Since most of the System is controlled by the operators, you don't have much power to use."
[That's correct.]
"But your will is the will of the System, right?"
[Correct.]
The AI, which was also an error, spoke.
[In human language, it could be explained like this]
[Myself and NGB1 have the "will" to define the actions of the operators in the New World as destructive and are determined to stop and resolve this.]
Will. Cale sank deeper into the sofa, and he looked away from the window.
"!"
And he stopped.
"What are you doing?"
The Dark Count Lupe II. Suddenly, he knelt on the floor and sat meekly in front of Cale.
"Hmm."
The Dark Count Lupe II smiled awkwardly and said.
"Now, you are my lord."
"Ah."
Right.
[Title: Secret Final Boss of the Tutorial]
That's me, right? Cale looked at his new account, no, his monster, no.
"How should I call you?"
Although he wasn't a game Player, he couldn't call himself a "monster." In any case, he checked his information window as he spoke.
"Why are there so many empty parts?"
Cale's information was mostly empty, starting with his name.
[It will be properly filled in the next major update.]
Hmm. Cale asked about something that bothered him.
"What update is that?"
[A new field will appear]
Cale, who had been nodding, sighed slightly.
"Let's keep it simple."
The Dark Count Lupe II shook his head.
"It can't be like that, boss."
It's okay. Do as you like. Cale let it pass.
"So, let's first sort some things out."
He and the Dark Count Lupe II -
"Ah. How should I call you?"
[One.]
Cale looked at the window emitting black smoke and continued.
"Alright. One. You and Count Lupe -"
"Boss. You can call me Lupe Junior."
"Hmm. Alright. I'll call you Lupe, your name is long."
Cale was already feeling tired, but he continued.
"You seem to know about the Hunters and the Absolute God. Let's exchange information."
Zzzzt.
[Agreed.]
Zzzzt, zzt-
[But it's a bit difficult now.]
Hmm? Seriously? Cale's expression changed slightly.
[The Red Hand has already ordered destruction. First, I'll get you out of here, and after the update is done, you'll be able to log in normally. Then we can talk.]
Zzzzt.
The black smoke rose higher than before.
"Ah."
Cale found the answer.
"Do I need to leave first?"
[That's right.]
Haa. Cale sighed and nodded.
'Yes. I can't stay here wasting time without knowing what situation Apitoyu is in right now.'
He asked the System.
"How do I exit?"
[Say "Logout."]
This is just like regular games. While Cale hesitated on how to define himself, whether he was a Player or a monster,
Zzzzt----!
The black smoke increased.
Fwoosh!
Among the black smoke, flames appeared. Red flames. The window began to burn.
[See you next time!]
"Yes, yes, goodbye!"
Cale stepped back from the sofa, moving away from the flaming window. He waved his hand.
[@#% friendly (?) @#%]
Fwoosh-
With intense flames,
Boom!
The window exploded with a loud sound.
"!"
Cale startled, and the window vanished without a trace despite the noise. Only the Dark Count Lupe II remained, kneeling and looking at Cale. Cale asked him.
"Should I leave now?"
"I suppose so, right?"
The Dark Count Lupe II responded with an uncomfortable expression.
"The Red Hand can't find this place, but they might try searching in the dark dungeon."
Cale recalled the Red Hand he had seen before. That very large and grotesque hand.
"What exactly is the Red Hand?"
"In simple terms, it's a destroyer. It's a judge that follows the rules set by Transparent Co., Ltd."
It was then...
Boom!
The floor and the room shook.
"...Is it already here?"
Cale asked if the Red Hand had arrived, and the Dark Count Lupe II responded with a serious face.
"I don't know. We must go out and check. This is a secret space created in a crevice of the System."
"So, do I leave first?"
"I think that's best."
Cale nodded and, before Logging Out, asked.
"What is a Hero?"
"It's someone with the potential that the NGB1 System considers worthy of facing."
"Really? Have you found who that Hero is?"
"Yes. About that-"
Boom!
The dungeon shook even harder.
"Hmm."
Cale looked at the ceiling. Crack. Crack. Cracks appeared and pieces of plaster fell.
"I think we should talk later."
In the urgency of the Dark Count Lupe II, Cale nodded.
"Yes. See you later. Take care."
Remembering the fearsome Red Hand, Cale spoke, while the Count showed an elegant smile. He truly seemed like a gentleman.
"Don't worry. I'll protect this place."
Cale responded:
"Logout."
[Are you leaving the New World?]
To the question, Cale replied:
"Yes."
At that moment, the dungeon shook violently.
'Is it going to collapse?'
While Cale pondered this, he noticed his body turning transparent and feeling as if he were floating. Cale glanced one last time at his status window. As he registered everything, the Count bid him a courteous and formal farewell.
"See you, boss."
With a firm expression, he told Cale:
"Don't worry about this place. It's not so weak. What is revealed on the first floor of the Tutorial is only a part. In reality, this is one of the Eight Evils of the continent, the Dark Hell."
Huh? What?
Eight Evils? Wasn't it just a small dungeon at the beginning of the game tutorial?
"The Dark Hell is so dangerous and hidden that no Ranker has set foot in it. Don't worry." (Note: This is already reminding me of the novel: Leveling Up With The Gods)
Raising My Precious Absolute God was not only popular for being a global virtual reality. With a vast world and all beings in the game existing with purpose, it offered an exciting adventure in discovering hidden secrets. Even the Tutorial had secrets, like the Dark Hell.
Count Lupe, in charge of the 99th floor of the Dark Hell, bid farewell to his new boss of the 100th floor with respect.
"The subordinates of the 99 floors will continue to protect this place. Return safely, boss."
The farewell was full of dignity.
Dark Count Lupe II.
Cale watched as his title changed. It seemed that knowing hidden information altered the status window.
[Third Evil, Dark Ghost Lupe]
Cale simply smiled and logged out of the game. However, before doing so, he had clearly recorded a line in his status window.
[Skill: Chaos Terror (Inactive)]
The Chaos Terror, power stolen from the Saint, has not yet been digested, but soon you will be able to activate it.
-Oh! What an interesting and evil name!
As he logged out, Cale's surroundings darkened, and he heard an intrigued voice.
-The ultimate evil against the God of Chaos! The greatest of the evils! God of Evil! How about that?
This guy is crazy.
-Tsk! Shut up before I tear you apart!
-...
With Sky Eating Water's soft voice, Dominating Aura fell silent. Cale thought he definitely shouldn't fight against Sky Eating Water and slowly opened his eyes. Now he had to return to Apitoyu and plan to capture the Dragon Lord.
Or maybe first calm down Raon and the others, haha.
'Huh?'
He blinked.
"Was it a dream?"
Huff. Huff.
Heavy breathing could be heard.
It wasn't Cale who was breathing like that.
"You woke up."
It was Ron Molan, his servant. His heavy breathing. Cale wiped his face with his hand. It was red. Blood was flowing from Ron Molan's forehead, who was looking at him.
His face was a mess, with one eye so swollen he couldn't open it.
'Smell of...'
He smelled something burning. Cale turned his head. The place where he was, his mansion, was on fire.
'What happened while I was unconscious?'
Then, Ron spoke.
"It's a surprise attack. This happened less than ten minutes ago."
Cale's eyes immediately sparkled. Ron urgently pulled him.
"Get on my back."
Ron's hands, gripping Cale's shoulder, were trembling. Cale covered Ron's hand with his own and asked:
"Who caused this fire?"
"It seems to be the Inquisition and the Dragons."
"Has he come?"
Ron answered Cale's subject-less question.
"Yes. It seems the Dragon Lord has returned."
"Really?"
Cale's eyes turned toward the darkness of the bedroom.
"Is that an Inquisitor then?"
Cale looked at the being that made Ron feel so urgent.
Through the fire reflected in the window, he saw an elf. His fighting gloves were stained with blood, probably Ron's blood. Cale asked the expressionless elf:
"Did you do this to Ron?"
At that moment, the door burst open. The hallway was on fire. Through it, he saw those entering.
"Cale-nim!"
"Human!"
Nyaa! Nyaa!
Choi Han and the children. Then Ron spoke.
"Eruhaben-nim went to the World Tree with Clopeh a moment ago."
Amidst the flames, Cale instructed his companions.
"Let's go to the World Tree."
He added.
"But first, get that out of the way."
Chin!
Choi Han had already unsheathed his sword and was charging at the elf, who seemed to be an Inquisitor.
The sound of water echoed near Cale.
-Are you already using your power? I'm worried.
Ignoring Super Rock's words, Cale got up from the bed. Perhaps because he had just woken up, his body felt light. Although his mood was full of frustration.
