Chapter 18 – Game Board (1)
A game board entangled with countless worlds and countless beings.
As the game board began in earnest, movement also started in this world.
However, the vast majority of beings in this world are those unrelated to the game.
Unless the existence of the game was made known, people would only fall victim to the approaching chaos and turmoil.
“Wh-What do you mean, Yeon? Suddenly saying you will leave the company!”
“Did you not hear? I can no longer act solely according to the company’s requests.”
“Why on earth…”
Kang Seung-yong, the president of the Hunter Corporation, was speechless at the thunderous news.
The reason was that Chae Yeon, the S-Class hunter who had been a poster child of the company, was resigning to change jobs.
“You… what’s the real reason? I’ve watched you since high school. You’re not serious right now.”
“…Please don’t ask.”
At his words, Chae Yeon flinched, biting her lip and lowering her head.
That was the truth.
In reality, she didn’t want to change jobs.
But she had no choice.
Equivalent exchange, give and take. The laws of this world and something all too natural.
It was the reality that one had to work as hard as one received.
“Where are you planning to go? Don’t tell me… it’s the Evolution company that just launched in the U.S.?”
“That’s right.”
“What connection do they have with you, or rather ‘you all’?”
Kang Seung-yong quickly guessed her destination.
In truth, it was strange not to know.
Recently, there had been a surge in the so-called Step Up hunters, who were uniting under one company based on a certain point.
Her path was also rather obvious.
“That’s my duty.”
“So that duty is meaningless…”
“President!”
Their conversation was suddenly interrupted by a hurried employee bursting in.
Regardless of whether the employee glared at him or not, the staff was breathlessly turning on the TV in the president’s office.
“What’s going on?”
“Ne-N-NEWS… It’s a big deal…”
The news the employee breathlessly turned on was a live broadcast breaking news.
Chae Yeon frowned as if she had expected a disaster to come.
“Orc?”
“That’s the reason I’m going to Evolution.”
“That seems to be quite a few orcs… doesn’t it?”
It wasn’t nonsensical to broadcast on breaking news in this age where monsters were more common than wild beasts.
The current news was broadcasting from a city center in the U.S., where monsters called orcs were pouring out.
Orcs were C-class enemies, neither too weak nor too strong.
“Are those guys really orcs?”
However, Kang Seung-yong’s eyes widened.
The hundreds of orcs appearing on screen were definitely not ordinary orcs.
The ones who used to wield clubs wrapped in rags were now armed with high-quality steel armor and weapons.
Their strength and organization had also undoubtedly increased.
The shock peaked with the appearance of orc shamans who blocked U.S. military Hellfire missiles with a bluish shield.
“These are definitely not ordinary orcs.”
“This is just… what the hell…”
It was an unprecedented occurrence.
While Kang Seung-yong was at a loss for words in shock, Chae Yeon bit her lip.
‘Can we win?’
Those orcs were competitors and enemies of her group.
But still, they were indeed formidable.
“Look. They’re taking people away. Up until now, they only beat and ate them.”
“…That’s right. They must certainly be wanting to use them for something.”
U.S. hunters arrived and fought alongside the military against them.
In the midst of that, the camera caught orcs dragging people of all ages and genders, throwing them into the gate they came from.
“Do you know anything about those guys?”
“I know, but I can’t say it. But soon you’ll find out. They’re not all there is to it. So prepare yourself. It could be a very long… and terrible war.”
She sighed with sad eyes.
The era of endless killing and dying in infinite competition had arrived.
In the meantime, those who would die in droves would always be the weak and the unaware.
Leaving the shocked Kang Seung-yong behind, she stepped out of the office.
[As commanded, first, seek out allies]
“Players on Earth.”
[Among humans, the most reliable are players from other worlds, although you may not know which ones are the units of other players. However, it is necessary to know which world those players’ units reside in.]
The mission had already been received.
Some of her comrades were drawing in Earth’s hunters to form alliances and increase their forces, while she and some other units were under different orders.
[Those entrusted with the task of exploration, receive grace]
A flash of light appeared before her eyes and a small stone fragment fell.
A mysterious stone inscribed with a spell, a Mana Stone.
It was something she had already used a few times.
*
“This is madness.”
Having seen the news, I was more serious than ever.
It wasn’t simply that orcs had become stronger, as the news blared.
Those orcs were definitely units interacting with the players.
What this unidentified narration had warned of was becoming a reality.
“…It’s strange that it’s not revealed yet.”
I scratched my head, complicated thoughts arising due to Kang Do-yeon.
With the situation blown up like this, shouldn’t I tell my family?
The reason for my hesitation was trivial.
It seemed that finding a solution was justified.
In fact, the guy had been living normally since that day as if nothing had happened.
However, the large sum of 500,000 won being brought weekly was too concerning.
“What if that girl is connected to a player or unit?”
[Think carefully. Being a unit is a problem, but if she’s a player, you must be extremely cautious. Players will inevitably seek the lives of other players.]
The enemy of players is players; the enemy of units is units.
My mind became clear.
Ultimately, I made a decision after hesitating.
Let’s be honest.
There were incidents worldwide that could serve as proof of what I was about to say.
“Hey. We need to talk.”
“…Come in.”
As soon as I knocked, a reply came.
I opened the door.
She was lying face down on the bed.
“You might not believe what I’m saying, but do you know about the orcs causing a fuss in America right now?”
“…”
“Those guys are definitely not ordinary ones. In fact… Ugh!”
A pillow flew towards my face as I spoke seriously.
Startled, I blinked in confusion.
Kang Do-yeon had suddenly gotten up and covered my mouth.
Her eyes were trembling wildly.
Then she grabbed my hand and stared intently at my knuckles.
I couldn’t shake off her slender arm. This was not the strength of a human.
“Don’t say a word.”
“Mmm?”
“Don’t mention anything about players, games, or units.”
I shook my head with a trembly voice.
I slowly nodded my head.
After all, I couldn’t resist even while giving it my all at this moment.
“I-I know. About that strange app, players. I-I got caught. I really did… th-therefore, you shouldn’t hear this. I received orders. If I let that slip…”
Her stuttering became worse, and her eyes trembled more violently.
I had only seen her in this sort of panic once.
That moment ten years ago. The day our father died before our eyes.
“Take your time. I won’t say a word, so don’t worry.”
Finally relaxing her mouth, I calmed her down.
Fortunately, her panic quickly subsided.
“What on earth happened?”
Instead, I became more composed.
“Yoonah turned me into her puppet.”
“…The landlord’s daughter?”
Kang Do-yeon showed me her wrist.
A clear scar marked her pale skin, and I felt my teeth clench.
I remembered. She had been a small, kind, and bright friend; I couldn’t believe she would do something like this.
“S-She said she received the power from her units. Her units are called the Cheongsan tribe, nomads skilled in the earth and wind sorcery.”
“…So what did she make you do?”
“Nothing. Ever since, I just lived like a normal friend. Instead, Yoonah gave me a salary of 500,000 won every week.”
“Why would she give that to you?”
“Th-That… If I die…”
She started to stutter again.
Heat surged to the top of my head, but my heart was cold.
Let’s think rationally and efficiently. Like a legion.
“Is another command the information gathering command?”
“Yes, I was told that if I ever hear anything about players or apps, I should report it immediately.”
“Fortunately, that’s not entirely hopeless?”
After hearing the answer and gathering the information, I found myself laughing unknowingly.
As I listened, I felt a path might open up.
“I think I might need to kill her.”
I looked at the knuckles where the Execution Authority was inscribed.
I had all the justification, necessity, means, and methods.
It meant there was absolutely no reason for me not to kill that girl who had made my sister a scapegoat.
“No.”
At that moment, my words were negated by Kang Do-yeon.
I was slightly surprised.
However, the pale-faced, panting gaze of my sister was different from before.
“I think this can be utilized.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
“It seems the relationship is quite complicated.”
Gradually regaining her composure, she began to speak her thoughts.
I was captivated by her words and listened intently.
