## C422
Yesterday.
Or rather, when Cale regained consciousness and began to gather belated information.
‘Damn it…’
Cale's hands trembled as he watched the video. Something serious had happened, that much was certain.
—Human, what's wrong with you? You have a very serious face!
Tremble, tremble.
Cale didn't hear Raon's voice. The battle video, hours long, captured everything with impressive quality and sound.
—Sigh.
Cale sighed as he looked at the ceiling.
—Cale. We're amazing, aren't we?
The Dominating Aura, now fully recovered, spoke in a resonant and playful voice.
—The forest is pretty.
The Glutton Priestess, chewing on something, mumbled her impressions of the gray forest in a thick voice.
Then, Cale, looking at the ceiling, asked Eruhaben:
—…Eruhaben-nim, what has been the reaction to the video?
Hmm.
The Ancient Dragon sighed.
And Raon responded enthusiastically:
—Human! According to Rosalyn, the video views are increasing much faster than the Dragon Half-Blood Eden Miru's birth! She says it's the first time an individual streamer's video has had such an impact!
Ah.
Cale let out another sigh.
—Eruhaben-nim, can we meet with those involved?
But the moment Cale looked down from the ceiling and saw Eruhaben, the dragon stopped.
—Human, why are you smiling like that? What are you planning?
Ignoring Raon's comment, Eruhaben opened the door.
—I'll bring them. They're probably resting separately.
Shortly after, Cale heard noise outside the door.
—…….
Cale, who had been looking at Alberu sleeping, shifted his attention to the door.
Creeeak.
The door slowly opened. As he watched, Cale thought:
‘He's crazy.’
CrazyExhibitionist—that guy, Clopeh Sekka, would enter any moment.
Cale had clearly heard his conversation with his friend in the video.
‘A baby dragon…! And a good dragon too! On our side! Pant, pant.’
‘Ohhh! A god's gaze and I feel my heart breaking and disconnecting! Pant, pant, it's hard to breathe! But it's incredible…!’
‘Sob. Facing a god…! Sob.’
…This guy wasn't normal.
Cale tensed.
Clopeh Sekka.
With someone like him, one had to be careful.
—Hmm.
And the moment CrazyExhibitionist and his friend entered, Cale let out a short sigh.
—Human, human!
Raon shouted urgently.
—His gaze is weird!
CrazyExhibitionist walked in cautiously.
He wasn't smiling, he seemed a little nervous. But even so, he made a polite bow towards Cale.
—Seriously, it's weird!
But that gaze… it wasn't normal.
Pant, pant.
It wasn't like Raon, who snorted in anger.
His nostrils flared, his cheeks were flushed, but the most striking thing was the shine in his eyes.
His shoulders trembled slightly. His hands, though calmly clasped together, were fidgeting.
—…….
And the most uncomfortable thing was the expression of his friend, Ddalgicreamppang, who looked at him sideways and shook his head slightly.
Behind them…
—Jeje. This is fun.
…was the Heavenly Demon.
Cale noticed his presence through the telepathic message and looked at him.
—You definitely don't have the makings of a god.
What nonsense is that?
Cale ignored the Heavenly Demon's unimportant comment.
But he was serious.
‘Gods are worshipped, but they're also feared.’
In the Demon Cult, they showed all kinds of respect towards the Heavenly Demon, but they never approached with such expectation.
‘But a hero is different.’
Or perhaps, someone who inspires admiration approaches with more emotion than fear.
‘Of course, people still don't know he's as terrifying a figure as a god.’
The power Cale displayed when facing the God of Chaos was clearly beyond human.
‘…Maybe it's good he's injured.’
The Heavenly Demon thought that, while vomiting blood and passing out would obviously negatively affect Cale, it was a good thing in a way.
At least it made him seem more human.
The Heavenly Demon must not show weakness, even if it hurts.
But Cale could complain, get angry, and express his emotions freely.
‘Because he's human.’
And that's why he could stand beside his comrades as an equal.
The Heavenly Demon, who had nothing better to do than watch the players, silently entered the room and stood beside Eruhaben, watching what Cale would do.
—…….
And Cale simply looked at CrazyExhibitionist and his friend in silence.
Gulp.
The friend swallowed.
‘They're different from the NPCs in the game.’
That was the conclusion he reached after having all his recording devices taken away.
‘It seems there's something more here.’
He had only followed his friend CrazyExhibitionist to the Demon Kingdom because of his craziness, but he ended up involved in something much bigger than he expected.
Pum, pum.
But his heart was beating strongly.
Why?
‘This is incredible.’
He was also a New World player, hooked like anyone else.
Besides, with the conspiracy theories linking New World and the reality outside the game…
Furtive glance.
Although his biggest concern at the moment was what CrazyExhibitionist would do.
Then, Cale spoke.
—What are your names?
Ah.
He opened his mouth.
But CrazyExhibitionist was faster.
—I am… CrazyExhibitionist.
His voice trembled.
With excitement.
—Ahem.
His friend cleared his throat, but answered calmly.
—I'm Ddalgicreamppang, which technically means Strawberry Cream Bread.
Raon's eyes gleamed.
—I like that bread!
—Gulp.
CrazyExhibitionist clutched his chest and hesitated.
But Cale looked at them coldly.
‘They're both weird.’
CrazyExhibitionist was so over-the-top that he hadn't noticed, but seeing Ddalgicreamppang's gaze, he understood.
‘His eyes are bulging.’
His gaze was similar to Clopeh's when he spoke about Eden Miru's birth.
‘Well.’
Cale closed his eyes.
‘Actually, this is good.’
He opened them again.
—I'm Cale Henituse.
He was going to recruit them.
With this video, CrazyExhibitionist would enter the mainstream of streaming.
Because the video would have record views.
Third Earth or Third World.
There, they had gained allies with power and wealth.
And they had also planted spies among the enemy.
‘What's missing is public opinion.’
After all, the Transparent Corporation dominated traditional media.
‘We'll focus on streaming and videos created by individuals.’
The Birth of a Hero.
To promote that main mission, they needed a proper channel.
—…Ah.
—…….
CrazyExhibitionist and Ddalgicreamppang nodded upon hearing Cale's name.
Cale looked at them serenely.
—I suppose you already suspected it.
The mission they received had already been revealed in the video.
‘The mission to save this game.’
The System, probably terrified by the possibility of the God of Chaos descending, was moving at full speed.
—This game is in danger.
—Hmm.
CrazyExhibitionist sighed.
While Ddalgicreamppang asked a question.
—How true are the conspiracy theories circulating in the community?
But he wasn't the only one.
—And are you one of the developers?
Oh.
Cale was impressed.
Ddalgicreamppang. This person was quite intelligent.
He opened his mouth.
—Do you think I'm a developer who intervened in the game to protect it?
He thought for a moment and nodded.
—Yes.
—No.
But Cale shook his head.
Then, CrazyExhibitionist spoke.
—So, are you part of a faction that opposes the God of Chaos?
Oh.
Cale was also impressed by this question.
‘Flexible thinking.’
If Ddalgicreamppang was looking for possibilities within reason, CrazyExhibitionist wasn't limiting himself, even if his ideas seemed outlandish.
—That's the correct answer.
Pant, pant.
CrazyExhibitionist's breathing quickened.
Cale pretended not to notice.
—Human, is that player alright?
He ignored Raon's worried voice.
Instead, Cale stared intently at them.
—…….
He didn't use any power.
He just looked at them.
His grayish skin.
Pale lips and gaunt face.
Although his bone structure was good, his thin body seemed about to collapse.
But Cale's firm gaze, sitting upright in front of them.
Gulp.
For some reason, the two players swallowed.
Cale didn't notice, but after living as Kim Rok Soo, surviving countless battles and overcoming adversity, his mere presence radiated a unique energy.
Cale spoke.
—I'll tell you two the truth.
He extended his hand.
—Would you like to become scammers who deceive the world?
Seeing his hand, the two players reacted.
Scammers?
What does that mean?
Expressions of disbelief appeared on their faces, and they looked at Cale in surprise.
CrazyExhibitionist urgently, Ddalgicreamppang calmly.
But Cale's next words could only provoke a reaction.
—This world is becoming reality from a game.
—!
—…¡!
The two players' pupils dilated.
—And this world could soon become hell.
Hell.
That word echoed in their ears.
Cale, remembering what he had seen in their videos, adopted a more serious expression than ever, similar to the one Alberu Crossman used with his subjects.
—All of you.
His calm voice penetrated their minds.
—The game made it clear.
The System was clearly aware of reality and had conveyed its message to them.
—It asked you to save this world.
Ah.
Ddalgicreamppang sighed.
He remembered the words that appeared when they received the Night and Light mission.
[Can you help save this world, this reality, this game?]
Words written before the game.
World, reality.
They were phrases that resonated in his mind and heart.
—Fellow Earthlings.
Earth.
A word that sounded strange to a New World player inside the game.
—Let me introduce myself again.
Cale extended his hand once more.
—I am Cale Henituse, from the Roan Kingdom, come from another dimension.
He only told the truth.
—The god asked me to come and save this world.
‘They need to believe this.’
That's what Cale thought.
But CrazyExhibitionist interpreted it differently.
A god… asked him?
Someone whom a god didn't command, but begged to save the world.
Cale Henituse.
CrazyExhibitionist's eyes gleamed as he looked at him.
Pant, pant.
His breathing became heavier.
Unlike Raon's snorts, this breathing was annoying, so Cale tried to subtly withdraw his hand.
¡Slap!
But someone grabbed it before he could.
Ddalgicreamppang, in a calm voice, slowly clasped his hand and smiled.
—Actually, my dream was to be a film director.
—Eh?
—Although I now work in advertising, I never gave up on film. It seems we were chosen as a medium for public opinion. I'll make an incredible video, more cinematic than cinema.
Cale was surprised.
It wasn't the answer he expected.
Then, CrazyExhibitionist said to Ddalgicreamppang, as if he were exasperated:
—But you don't know how to lie! You hate scammers!
Remembering Cale's question about becoming scammers, CrazyExhibitionist reacted.
Raon also intervened.
—Our human does know how to lie!
—What?
CrazyExhibitionist looked at Raon, confused, as he shrugged and looked at Cale.
—Human, right?
Cale just mimicked Alberu's crown prince smile.
—Hmm. I'll shut up!
Raon had learned to read the atmosphere.
While CrazyExhibitionist was still confused and Ddalgicreamppang wouldn't let go of his hand, Cale tried to subtly withdraw it.
At that moment…
¡Bang!
The closed door burst open.
Pant, pant.
Someone was panting heavily.
It was the Saint.
—Saint!
The holy knight Boltien followed her and held her up.
—Ah.
The Saint, meeting Cale's gaze, exclaimed and lowered her head.
Then she spoke.
—I apologize for barging in like this without warning.
After apologizing, she looked at Cale and Alberu, still unconscious, and said:
—The Sun God calls for you.
At that moment, Cale saw a mission window appear.
[Sub-mission: Obtain the "Chaos Purification" skill!]
[Go to a sacred place beyond the reach of the God of Chaos and destroy the book "Chaos Purification"]
[Sub-mission: Change the Sacred Object's attribute to "Nothing"!]
[Go to a sacred place and subdue the "Sword of Chaos"]
Sacred place.
The Saint's voice echoed.
—We want to take you to the Vatican.
The heart of the Church of the Sun God.
The Vatican.
—Oh.
Cale nodded, impressed.
—Let's go.
The sleeping prince, Alberu Crossman.
To wake him, they would probably have to go to the Vatican.
—Je.
And now.
Hearing Cale's laughter, Alberu Crossman shuddered again.
—Ohhh— God Sooool—! Let me receive even a ray of your glorious luuuuz—!
While the Pope kept shouting…
—Eh?
Cale feigned surprise and spoke.
—Holy Father! It seems the Hero is waking up!
—Ahh, finally—!
Alberu's blood was boiling.
Cale Henituse, that bastard is doing this on purpose.
—Hero, hero!
Cale shook him slightly, calling out to him in a pleading voice.
Alberu, sensing the mocking tone in his voice, squeezed his eyes shut.
‘This is infuriating.’
Before his closed eyes, a mission window appeared.
Sent by the Sun God, unusual and shaky, but clearer than before.
[Urgent Sub-mission: Prove the Hero's dignity!]
‘I'm going to go crazy.’
Alberu: Tak guna punya adik 😑
ReplyDelete(Dammit, this younger brother of mine...)
Tiene razón el abuelo Goldie en no dejar solos a Raon y Cale, son unos desmadrosos
Delete