C363. The World's Best (1~)
Before heading to the Kingdom of Lan, the kingdom of training, discipline, and martial arts, in the north.
Cale returned to the castle where the former Dragon Lord Neo resided, the center of the Seventh Evil.
Clang.
Recovery rate 69%.
That was the state of Eden Miru.
“…”
“Do you want to hug it?”
Cale extended the egg wrapped in a cloth, and the other one stopped.
“Ah, no.”
Finally, he turned his head.
-Human, then I want to hug it!
Raon flew forward, snatched the egg, and disappeared.
Hong immediately followed him, On sighed and nodded to Cale, telling him not to worry, and then walked in the direction where Hong and Raon had disappeared.
“…”
The other person, Pope Casillia, observed Raon disappearing and the egg in his arms for a long time. When her eyes met Cale’s, she smiled slightly.
“It’s quite peculiar.”
Cale didn’t ask the meaning of those words. Instead, he asked another question.
“How does it feel to be an NPC?”
Horns, the third bishop who was next to Casillia, stopped.
He was still a semi-registered NPC and could come and go between Apitoyu and the New World, but Casillia was now an NPC who shared her life with the New World.
“It’s not bad.”
Fortunately, Casillia’s expression wasn’t bad. She looked down at her hands.
“The destruction of my body has stopped.”
The dragon scales were still present on the back of her hands.
“And the pain has been reduced to one hundredth.”
She shrugged.
“My status window doesn’t show my remaining life. And since I’m also in this situation, I can’t determine my remaining life. But-”
But?
Cale’s gaze turned towards her eyes. Casillia had a relieved expression.
“At least it seems like I have time to live freely as me, as us.”
At that moment, a slight smile appeared on the face of the third bishop Horns. A small trace of joy could be seen among the compassion he felt when looking at Casillia.
Neither Pope, nor dragon blood.
Casillia.
Time to live as herself.
“Then, I want to talk about work.”
When the Pope was the first to speak, it was easier for Cale to speak.
“Please go to Briz.”
“Briz? Is it the Western Empire? One of the Three Great Powers?”
“That’s right. Go to the capital, Anero.”
“What should I do there?”
The Pope, who had asked the question, stopped. Cale’s smile seemed very cheerful.
“Pope.”
“Please call me Casillia now.”
She had given up the position of Pope to the first bishop.
“Yes, Casillia. From now on, you are one of the guardians of the Kingdom of Darkness.”
“…Darkness?”
“Yes. It’s a place that faces the strength of the God of Chaos, ‘Arm,’ and protects the New World’s underworld from the shadows.”
Oh.
Interest began to reflect in Casillia’s eyes. However, her pupils staggered at the words that followed from Cale.
“By the way, ‘Arm’ is also an organization I created.”
“…! ”
After that, Cale briefly explained what had been happening.
“Ha, ha, ha-!”
Finally, Casillia burst out laughing.
“You’re really an interesting person.”
“I know.”
Both Casillia and the third bishop Horns had satisfied expressions.
“Cale. Then, my job will be to strengthen the strength of Darkness and oppose ‘Arm,’ the strength of the God of Chaos, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Can I choose the method?”
“That’s right. Did you hear about the missions?”
“Yes. It’s a pretty interesting system.”
“I know. Do what you want.”
Cale slightly extended his arms. And then he said.
“Casillia, do what you want.”
“Because you want even greater chaos? Right?”
Casillia, who was freeing herself from the Pope’s yoke and the pressure of her dragon blood, had the wisdom and intelligence that corresponded to her experience.
“That’s right. Hunters, Gods, Demon World. I want everyone to become a real headache.”
At Cale’s words, uttered with a simple tone, Casillia felt satisfaction.
“I also want to do that.”
“I’ll also help enthusiastically.”
The two Dragon Half-Bloods were very satisfied.
“Then, I’ll send you news from time to time.”
“Yes. You can communicate with Darkbear about life in the Western Empire. And I’ll give you the address of an inn. You can get help there.”
An inn where the Sixth Evil’s subordinates work.
They would help Casillia.
“Alright.”
Casillia immediately stood up and headed towards the terrifying Darkbear.
Cale observed the opposite seat that was left empty after Casillia and Horns left, and then looked at the shadows in the corner of the living room, soft like cotton candy.
“How about you?”
A demon appeared from the shadows.
“It’s confusing.”
Count Lupeh, who had been the final boss of the Third Evil and was now second in command.
He didn’t hide his distress with a serious expression.
“…If I were the real Count Lupeh of the Demon World-”
“I’m not sure.”
[Lupeh, the darkness demon of the Third Evil.]
It was speculated that he wasn’t an NPC born of the game, but had lost his memory due to a conspiracy in the Demon World and had been registered as an NPC.
“If I meet Miss Aurora, I’ll get the answer. That demon woman will remember your face, Lupeh.”
“Well. It’s a pity.”
Cale nodded at those words.
The Mediators.
The organization led by Aurora, the only blood of the former Demon King.
They wanted to visit Apitoyu to access this New World. However, although they had completed the semi-registered NPC registration, they suddenly had to deal with a problem in the Demon World and couldn’t access it at this time.
‘They said the Demon King of Apathy had suddenly appeared, right?’
Because the Demon King of Apathy had suddenly appeared, Aurora and the Mediators couldn’t move freely.
“Anyway, we’ll see each other next time.”
Lupeh answered with a calm tone and then spoke with Cale.
“I can’t communicate with Won at this time.”
Won, the AI derived from the system that controls RMPAG.
“Really?”
“Yes. I’ll let her know to go see you as soon as I receive news.”
“Alright.”
Cale intended to make Won and the AI she was looking for meet.
It was a mission and it was for the future.
But it seems like he would have to postpone it a little longer.
Lupeh continued.
“The Sixth Evil has been watching the Seventh Evil lately.”
“Really?”
“Yes. It seems like they’ve bitten the hook. They seem to be anxious to find out the true nature of what the Seventh Evil is doing.”
Lupeh’s report continued.
“And they’re intensifying surveillance of the First Evil. It seems like the First Evil is our enemy, as the boss said.”
“And the other evils?”
“They’re still calm. But when they find out the Sixth and Seventh Evil are moving, they’ll gradually begin to react.”
“Well.”
Observing Cale’s calm expression, Lupeh spoke cautiously.
“I’ve heard him talk about Darkbear. Are you going to unify the Eight Evils and create the Kingdom of Darkness?”
His voice trembled slightly.
The unification of the Eight Evils.
It was something they had never imagined.
The Seventh Evil or the Third Evil were pretty docile compared to the Eight Evils. The Second Evil, the Fifth Evil, the Sixth Evil, etc. There were so many crazy ones, how dare he unify them?
“Yes. I’ll do it.”
However, the boss in front of him seemed willing to do it.
“Yes. I’ll help you.”
And Lupeh was willing to help. Because he knew that path was the way to protect the New World and this world.
“But Lupeh, are you continuing to observe the tutorial?”
“Yes. I’m constantly verifying whether or not a suspicious user is registering.”
The final boss of the tutorial, or maybe the test boss. Lupeh was the only one of all the bosses in this world who could participate in the tutorial.
“I also had a good time with Miss Rosalyn, the boss’s close friend.”
“Is she someone you can talk to?”
“Yes. She was a user you could talk to.”
In the future, if Cale’s group become users, Lupeh will help them a lot in the tutorial.
“Someday-”
Cale said calmly.
“Someday, the tutorial could play an important role.”
The New World, where new users keep arriving endlessly.
RMPAG doesn’t allow skipping the tutorial.
In other words, they must complete the tutorial to be able to play the main game.
And Lupeh is playing a very important role in that tutorial.
“Je, je.”
Lupeh smiled elegantly.
“Boss. As soon as you give the order, I’ll make it so no new user can complete the tutorial.”
But there was a condition.
“Of course, I don’t know if the Red Hand will allow it.”
The Red Hand.
One of the absolute forces of the game that appears to eliminate any factor that violates the game’s rules.
“Ah, the Red Hand.”
Cale smiled slightly.
“Don’t worry about that. I’m looking for a solution right now.”
Cale and Lupeh. The semi-demon and the demon looked at each other.
“Ja, ja-”
“Je, je.”
The two smiled cheerfully.
He was really the embodiment of evil.
* * *
Lead researcher Kim Se-hyun bit his lip while looking at the monitor.
His fingers trembled and, without realizing it, he grabbed his pants.
‘Another dimension?’
At first, he thought Vice President Lee Mi-jung had gone crazy.
‘Enchanted to meet you.’
But the moment he met Rosalyn, who introduced herself as a mage.
‘This is the Black Castle. We must create a portal through this place to access RMPAG, the New World.’
After spending several hours in the Black Castle and witnessing the world of Apitoyu with his own eyes…
“…I’m going crazy.”
Kim Se-hyun’s world changed.
A chill ran through his whole body.
Vice President Lee Mi-jung made a proposal.
‘What do you think? Create a company that swallows Transparent.’
However, it wasn’t that proposal that made Kim Se-hyun feel a chill.
‘What do you think? I’m also a magic researcher, so I understand your feelings.’
Rosalyn. Her story.
‘Our enemy is trying to turn the New World into a real world, not a virtual world.’
Gulp.
Kim Se-hyun closed his eyes tightly.
‘And they want to rule that world.’
Rosalyn, the mage who used mana, whispered.
‘What kind of world do you dream of? What do you want to create?’
I’m going crazy.
‘In the middle of the chaos that’s coming, do you want to create the world you desire?’
He opened his eyes.
‘New World. Literally a new world.’
He jumped out of his seat.
“…Doesn’t anyone have work?”
His colleagues looked at him.
The remaining researchers under Kim Se-hyun had rebelled against Transparent’s current policy and, at the same time, had been marked by the company and left aside like Kim Se-hyun.
“We don’t have work, of course.”
At the words of one of his colleagues, who shrugged, Kim Se-hyun approached the lab door.
Clack.
He closed the door and looked around.
Even before, he was always on guard against surveillance or eavesdropping. He didn’t trust Transparent.
“Come to the meeting room. I have something to do.”
He didn’t intend to involve his colleagues in his work.
It was still dangerous.
However, he proposed to his colleagues that they try a research topic, something that had nothing to do with their work.
“The Red Hand. Let’s investigate that.”
“The Red Hand?”
“Yes.”
“…It’s not work, right?”
“Yes. It’s not work. It’s my personal curiosity. Only those who want to join can do it. And I’ll take responsibility.”
The researchers, who had been living in inactivity, felt something seeing Kim Se-hyun’s expression.
Kim Se-hyun gave them assurance.
“The Vice President is behind me.”
The researchers, who were only worried about when they would be fired and their affection for RMPAG, had a twinkle in their eyes.
‘Help me with the investigation of the Red Hand and the installation of the portal.’
Kim Se-hyun began to move according to Rosalyn’s suggestion.
His body was boiling again.
Finally, he had something to do.
Kim Se-hyun, who was once considered Transparent’s best virtual reality expert, the world’s best, decided what to do.
“…A new world.”
A situation where the virtual could become reality.
He found what he wanted.
* * *
Kangseongguwangjumeok.
The user, known as ‘Strong Fist (Kangmek),’ felt his heart beating strongly.
[You’ve discovered the first main mission.]
[Main mission: Chaos and Darkness]
The new main mission that had heated the Briz-Anero bulletin board and made many users move to Breeze.
Strong Fist, who received it for the first time and exclusively, was currently at a standstill.
[You’ve discovered clues about the Kingdom of Darkness.]
[Are you approaching the true nature of Darkness?]
I must approach the true nature of Darkness!
‘He left!’
The wandering tamer. That handsome NPC had disappeared.
‘He’s definitely a key figure!’
A high official of the Kingdom of Darkness, no doubt.
That’s why he had searched every corner of the capital, but Strong Fist hadn’t found anything.
Then, he-
Thump. Thump.
His heart was beating strongly now.
‘Kangseongguwangjumeok,’ who hadn’t been able to leave the inn where the tamer was staying and was searching for mission clues in the center.
A person appeared in front of him.
‘No, it’s not a person.’
Was it really a person?
Whirr-
The wind blew. A lonely alley where the sun was setting. A creature that suddenly appeared in front of Strong Fist, who was walking alone through the alley.
“Who, who are you?”
Strong Fist’s voice trembled. It was inevitable.
‘Scales!’
Scales that were showing on his hands, neck, and face. And vertically slit pupils. Moreover, a pretty beautiful appearance. The woman was definitely not human.
Stomp, stomp.
She arrived in front of Strong Fist and opened her mouth.
“Are you Strong Fist?”
“Yes, I am…!”
Snick.
A smile formed on his lips.
Suddenly-
Strong Fist thought of her,
‘…Dragon…!’
He thought of a dragon.
“!”
And he was surprised. Suddenly, a man was standing behind him. A man of powerful build. His pupils were also vertically slit.
“Who are you…!”
Strong Fist asked again. Although he knew it was a game, he felt a sense of intimidation that made him shrink. It was the greatest courage he could muster.
“I-”
The woman hesitated for a moment and said.
“I came to look for you under my lord’s orders.”
My lord?
The moment doubt arose.
“I’m a guardian.”
At that moment, Strong Fist could see the mission window.
[You’ve discovered a clue about ‘Find the true nature of Darkness!’.]
Wow.
This is crazy.
Strong Fist felt the answer suddenly coming to him.
‘That tamer…!’
This extraordinary person in front of him had come to look for him under his lord’s orders.
And she said she was a guardian.
‘That tamer…!’
And now, who from the Kingdom of Darkness knows Strong Fist?
Only one.
He couldn’t believe it.
‘That tamer is… the king!’
This is crazy!
Incredible!
‘Wow.’
Strong Fist felt a chill at the immense mission that had been entrusted to him.
Strong Fist opened his mouth with a serious expression. His voice trembled, but his determination was great.
“Yes. I’m Strong Fist.”
Casillia, who was watching him, remembered the information Cale had given her.
‘I have a user I gave a mission to. His name is Kangseongguwangjumeok (Strong Fist Demon King). If you practice giving him missions, it will be easier for you.’
Casillia opened her mouth and spoke with Strong Fist.
“Strong Fist. Do you intend to help us?”
Strong Fist, who swallowed, listened to Casillia’s calm words.
“Soon, our existence will be revealed.”
“Our existence? What do you mean?”
“…….”
Casillia hesitated for a moment. And then she decided. The reasons she had decided to come to this world. Her life and future and her companions’. And the existence of Eden Miry, the complete Dragon Half-Blood who would soon be born.
“You’re not worthy of knowing yet.”
In fact, she hadn’t completely decided yet.
“However, we will soon be revealed.”
And that was the beginning of the Miru Knights Order, which would shake the New World, not only the world of villains and the underworld, but the whole New World.
* * *
“This place is similar to the Central Plains.”
The Heavenly Demon, with his hands behind his back, walked calmly and said to Cale with a smile.
“Where should we go?”
“To the Lan royal palace.”
Royal palace.
Cale, who spoke from the heart of a kingdom, was also calm.
The Heavenly Demon asked calmly.
“Who should we see?”
“The king.”
“I see.”
The Heavenly Demon said indifferently.
“Who are we going to kill?”
“…”
Cale remained silent.
‘Seriously, this guy is crazy too.’
Cale, while observing the mountainous landscape, beautiful and steep, that evoked the image of martial arts, said bluntly.
“The queen’s husband.”
Tamahi, King of the Kingdom of Lan.
Cale had seen him through Bishop Serisa’s memories.
Of course, Cale was quick to add.
“I won’t kill him, I’ll only talk to him.”
Ha, ha-
The Heavenly Demon laughed.
On his face, some of the boredom seemed to have disappeared.
“When I’m with you, interesting things always happen. Killing a queen’s husband, huh?”
No, we’re not going to kill him!
Cale’s face twisted.
Cale’s group had arrived in the Kingdom of Lan, a nation devoted to martial arts and discipline.
