Chapter 139

Messiah Corporation’s AR device, “Nexus,” has been released worldwide.

People already knew a new AR device was coming, thanks to Messiah Corporation’s showcase at the [Eternal World] finals.

So, for a while, Messiah Corporation’s stock price soared endlessly, and after the AR device’s release, it jumped even higher.

Rumors had been circulating, but after trying the product firsthand, it was clear this wasn’t just another gaming device.

Most portable devices, including smartphones, were about to be replaced by “Nexus.” This revolutionary AR device was the ultimate upgrade for all gadgets.

While the global stock market was experiencing seismic shifts, a game quietly launched amidst this wave.

[Evoke Order].

It was the game I made.

I closed the stock market window, boasting insane profit margins, and headed outside.

Looking around, most people were still fiddling with their smartphones. It was a stark contrast to the upheaval in the stock market.

No matter how groundbreaking, it takes time for innovations to spread.

But it’ll happen soon. In a year, most people will probably be wearing AR devices.

The convenience of AR devices was just that overwhelming.

I put on my AR glasses.

Through the transparent lens, the world came into view. It wasn’t just a display of a camera feed—it was the real world, clear as day.

Think of it as a transparent display where you can see through to the other side. Since it’s a display, not glass, you can overlay augmented reality content on it.

How did they do it?

I don’t know the technical details. I’m not an engineer, after all.

I’m a game developer.

*Click.* I pressed a button on the frame, and an interface appeared in mid-air.

I launched the game I had pre-installed: [Evoke Order].

*Ding dong.* Yoorim Company!

Now, my game’s signature logo pops out into reality with a sound. But I’m the only one who cares. Everyone else just walks by, oblivious.

In fact, the logo only appeared to me.

*Static.* Noise filled the air, and a rectangular window opened.

A figure emerged from within.

A red-haired woman spoke.

“Yoorim. How does it feel to be a Keeper?”

“Not bad.”

“Good. Let me tell you what a Keeper does. See over there?”

She pointed to a tree.

On the tree, something peeked out.

“Those are beings from another dimension, commonly called Evokers. You’ll need to make a contract to know their individual names. Now, let’s capture that Evoker. Summon your Evoker.”

As she finished speaking, a glowing pattern appeared on my left wrist.

“Slide to activate the contract.”

I followed her instructions, swiping the glowing pattern on my wrist.

Then.

*Poof!* With a light sound effect, a fire lizard appeared in mid-air.

**Name:** Salamander

**Individual Name:** None

**Rank:** Single Rank

**[Strength 7] [Agility 4] [Stamina 5]**

**[Magic Power 9] [Life Force 7] [Soul Power 3]**

**[Constitution]**

None

**[Traits]**

None

I skimmed the status window that appeared beside it.

Currently, I was using the power of a Super Developer to limit most of the information.

So, I didn’t know what the stats meant, but one thing was clear.

The starting character wasn’t going to be strong.

Well, the creature itself might be strong, but its level was low, so it needed to grow.

For now, I’d have to fight carefully, but it was fine.

There’s no RPG game where you die in the tutorial, after all.

“Your Evoker is strongly connected to you. Give it commands with your thoughts.”

I commanded the Salamander.

First, I vaguely ordered it to attack the squirrel-like Evoker.

As soon as I gave the command, the Salamander charged and slashed with its claws.

I thought it might breathe fire, but it wasn’t at that level yet.

The squirrel Evoker bit back. I commanded the Salamander to dodge.

I mapped out a detailed evasion and counterattack route in my mind, but the Salamander didn’t follow it—it dodged on its own and got hit.

“Oops. The bond isn’t deep yet. I recommend not giving overly detailed commands.”

So that’s a system feature. Noted.

If detailed commands don’t work… maybe I should keep it simple?

This time, I just commanded it to step back lightly.

But instead, the Salamander charged forward.

What is this thing doing?

“Hmm. It seems it doesn’t trust you yet. You’ll need to get closer.”

“Is there an option to turn it into lizard skewers?”

“Calm down.”

After that, the salamander managed to land a decisive claw attack while scuffling with the enemy squirrel Evoker.

The squirrel Evoker, staggering as if it had lost a lot of stamina.

Then, the operator shouted.

“Use Contract Magic to capture it!”

Contract Magic was simple. Drawing a suitable circle in the empty space, the circle flew towards the squirrel Evoker.

The squirrel Evoker, bound by the circle, struggled for a moment before turning into a pattern and flying towards me.

I stared at the newly formed pattern on my left wrist.

The operator gave me a thumbs-up and praised me.

“Well done. I can’t believe it’s your first time; you’re so skilled! You’re going to be a great Keeper.”

“Uh…”

“Shira.”

“Miss Shira. I have a question.”

“Ask me anything.”

To Shira, who was smiling kindly, I asked what I was most curious about.

“Do I have to keep the Evoker I just captured? Is there no way to get rid of it?”

“…You can store contracted Evokers at the headquarters.”

“Do I have to store them?”

“…There’s also a way to release them.”

“Please tell me.”

“Do you not have a human heart?”

Though her words were harsh, Shira kindly explained how to release an Evoker.

Deep down, she must have also thought that the Evoker I just caught was useless.

“No.”

“Goodbye.”

Ding. With a sound effect, the connection with Shira was cut off. The tutorial was over, and the real game had begun.

I stroked my left wrist.

Currently, there were two patterns drawn on my left wrist.

It was because I said I would release the squirrel Evoker but didn’t actually do it.

Of course, I would release it someday, but for now, it was definitely better to keep it as a meat shield.

I brought up the map in the corner and fell into thought.

So, where should I go now?

To briefly explain the system of [Evoke Order], it was like this.

First, there was the general field. Here, mindless PK was not allowed, and if you wanted to PK, you had to get the other party’s consent. Without consent, you couldn’t even interfere, let alone PK.

There were no aggressive mobs either.

Therefore, a comfortable [Evoke Order] life was possible in the general field.

However, there were no powerful monsters either, as low risk meant low return. It was something you had to accept.

Next was the combat field. It was a place full of aggressive mobs.

From here, the risk of your owned Evoker dying increased significantly. It was natural since monsters would attack even if you just walked around.

It was also a place you had to visit to properly enjoy [Evoke Order], as there were many powerful monsters.

By the way, mindless PK was still not allowed here. If you wanted to PK, you had to get the other party’s permission.

It was a natural measure since too much fighting would increase fatigue.

Lastly, the Unlimited Field.

As the name suggests, it was a field with no restrictions. Everything was possible, including mindless PK.

It was extremely dangerous, but it was a place you had to visit to become a top ranker, as it was packed with rare and powerful monsters, experience burning, and special events.

Putting the best things of a hardcore game into the Unlimited Field.

Even though I made it, it was a truly beautiful structure.

This way, gamers would naturally keep entering the Unlimited Field, and as a result, countless Evokers would die.

‘Sister. Are you really a devil?’

A rabbit’s voice came from somewhere.

It must have been my imagination.

After all, the rabbit was currently busy enjoying my game.

Since the rabbit had to deal with the Water Spirit and do the “sese-sese,” it didn’t have the leisure to wander outside.

Anyway.

So, where should I go first?

Hmm.

Let’s head straight to the Unlimited Field.

Just because it’s called the Unlimited Field doesn’t mean high-level monsters are placed in every area.

It was properly level-designed, and if you used it well, you could level up explosively.

Just one thing. I was worried about getting lynched in the Unlimited Field due to the crowd, but that was fine too.

I could just restart the game.

Basic Evokers are unlimited. I can always get back up.

How generous is that?

Having set my goal, I slowly moved my feet.

There happened to be an Unlimited Field nearby.