<Episode 1471> 1471. The Abandoned World
[Ending the game.]
I’ve returned to reality.
With a dazed expression, much like someone who has just woken up from sleep, I slowly rise from my bed.
Every time I exit a game world back into reality, I feel a bit groggy in my head, but Dark Moon always hits harder than usual.
[Sung Yoojin
Level: 84
Strength: 110 Health: 110 Agility: 110 Intelligence: 110 Spirit Power: 110 Mana: 110]
[Available Points: 18,834]
But when I see the pile of points I’ve accumulated, it instantly brightens my mood.
What should I do with these points this time? As I ponder happily, I decide to save them for now.
‘If I gather more points, I’ll be even happier!’
It’s all about using the saved points at once to show off. Just thinking about it gives me chills.
‘Let’s flex lightly first.’
[Water
This is water contained in a paper cup.
Price: 1 Point]
I used 1 point to buy some water.
Ignoring the fully stocked fridge, I spent a precious point on water in a paper cup!
The taste was ordinary. Not even cold—just lukewarm.
‘Guh… This is luxury! The taste of extravagance!’
After tossing the paper cup into the trash, I left the room. I went straight to the bathroom to shower and then lounged on the couch in comfy clothes, enjoying TV.
When there’s nothing good to watch, I switch to the news channel.
‘There’s bound to be hunter-friendly news coming up. Like how dungeons break out in some country and monsters take over, or how fighter squadrons obliterate monster-infested lands…’
Worldwide depressing updates are broadcast. South Koreans watching the news feel sorrowful but also relieved that they’re safe. Though some might feel uneasy, no one leaves Korea for the US because everyone knows Korea is safer than the US if safety is the priority.
-A dungeon break occurred in a derelict building in Manhattan. The dungeon appeared suddenly, causing chaos. The American Hunter Association responded quickly, but the dungeon breakout spread faster. Luckily, the Platinum Guild nearby managed to end the situation without casualties.
‘Another one, huh? Lately, there have been so many reports like this.’
Dungeons breaking out right after they form. It’s been happening all over the world recently. Thankfully, A-Rank and higher dungeons rarely experience such phenomena.
If an A-Rank dungeon were to break immediately after forming? The thought of high-tier monsters flooding out is terrifying.
By the time the news got boring, I logged into a global OTT site to browse for decent dramas or movies.
‘A new anime has come out.’
It was an isekai story.
‘Yet another isekai.’
In Japan, isekai stories are currently trending. They were trendy a year ago, and they’re still trendy now. At first, they felt fresh and fun, but now it’s become commonplace.
‘I should watch it anyway to expand the game list on the PlayLife app.’
Still, there’s one advantage: the female characters are usually well-designed.
“Big Brother! Over here!”
Rice soup restaurant
As soon as I entered the room, Bak Sooho raised his hand and spoke. I approached him and sat across from him. It was Bak Sooho who summoned me today.
“It’s been a while. How’ve you been lately?”
“I want to say everything’s normal… but something big happened. I need your help, bro.”
“Something happened?”
“Not on this side, but in the Other World.”
I glanced at Sooho’s sleeve. A glimpse of a tattoo peeked through.
The Tattoo World.
Bak Sooho has the ability to travel to other worlds through his tattoos. Thanks to that power, he’s been getting stronger at an incredible speed. Large guilds are probably keeping an eye on him by now.
“What’s going on?”
“Have you heard about the recent dungeon breakdowns happening all over the world?”
“You mean when dungeons appear and immediately collapse?”
“Yeah, that. The cause seems to be tied to the Tattoo World.”
Bak Sooho stated confidently.
“So what? What do you want me to do about it?”
I didn’t care much at first, but then I reconsidered. If reality gets messed up like this, my life could get pretty exhausting too.
“At the very least, reality needs to stay safe.”
For a peaceful gaming lifestyle.
“Tell me more.”
“Around a month ago, priests from the Selbna Sect came to visit me in Veloprin.”
Veloprin is the city Bak Sooho governs in the Tattoo World.
“The Sel Sect?”
“Yes. They’re a famous religion in the Tattoo World. The holy kingdom of Selbna considers the Sel Sect their state religion. Everyone in the Tattoo World worships the goddess Selbritina that the Sel Sect reveres. Their influence is unmatched.”
I vaguely knew about the Sel Sect from a dungeon where we found rainbow fruits.
While eating his national rice soup, Sooho explained about the Holy Kingdom of Selbna.
“The bishop who visited Veloprin already knew I was from another world. Very few people in Veloprin know this, but she seemed certain.”
“Did you admit it?”
“Yeah. It wasn’t the kind of situation where I could deny it. Plus, they weren’t hostile towards me… and I learned some things about my abilities.”
Our ordered pork rice soup arrived. Bak Sooho kept stirring without stopping. He loved this place. According to him, it had the best value for money—cheap price, great taste.
“I’m curious. What’s the secret behind your powers? Can you tell me?”
“This might sound hard to believe… but apparently, I’m a hero chosen by the goddess Selbritina.”
“A hero, huh? Sounds like a game plot. Do you know why you were chosen?”
“Long ago, there were heroes in the Tattoo World who fought against the evil god. The heroes combined their strength and defeated the evil god, but due to some mistake, they got sent to another world. And apparently, one of my ancestors was one of those heroes.”
“Is that believable?”
“Well, considering how unbelievable my powers already are, there’s no real reason not to believe it.”
“If you’re talking about heroes… does that mean there are descendants of other heroes out there too?”
“Yes. There are two other heroes besides me. I’d love to meet them and talk, but their identities are top-secret. If the evil god finds out, they’ll become targets right away.”
“That bishop must have asked something of you, right?”
“The Sel Sect wants me to fulfill my duties as a hero. In return, they’ve agreed to support me and Veloprin.”
“Did you accept?”
“I did. With the Sel Sect’s support, Veloprin can develop faster. And since Veloprin’s growth is tied to my own power…”
Sooho listed the supports promised by the Sel Sect. They were incredibly impressive. If I were Sooho, I wouldn’t have refused either.
“Alright, spill it. What kind of help do you need?”
“Near Veloprin, a temple of the evil god has appeared. Priests of the evil god are conducting rituals there. The Sel Sect wants me to disrupt their ritual and destroy the temple.”
“You?”
“What’s Dan doing?”
“Only a few within the Sel Sect recognize that Gender. Sending troops recklessly could cause friction with other kingdoms. Plus, people from other kingdoms can’t even recognize it.”
“They want help conquering that Gender, huh? Is it necessary?”
“One of the powers of the Evil Spirit is dimensional erosion. The reason the original heroes were forcibly moved to another world was because of this power. If we leave this ritual unchecked… the Tattoo World and Earth might connect.”
“Connect… you mean what I’m thinking?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You know, like in those fantasy worlds where Earth mixes with another world.”
“I’m not entirely sure, but yeah, kinda. Earth’s civilization will collide with the Tattoo World’s civilization… most likely resulting in war. Chaos in the world is exactly what the Evil Spirit seeks.”
“The moment the dungeon appeared, causing the brake phenomenon—was that the effect of the ritual?”
“Yeah. You really catch on quick, bro. Plus, you’re calm too.”
“Nah, it’s just that I’ve gotten used to experiencing strange or familiar things. So, what do you want me to do?”
“Bro, first, let’s have some rice soup and then follow me. It’d be better if I showed you while explaining.”
“Alright… but man, you really love rice soup.”
“Rice soup is perfection itself.”
Mr. Park Su-ho proudly declared this as he began chugging his bowl noisily—it made him look like an uncle.
After eating the rice soup, we hopped into Park Su-ho’s car and headed toward Apgujeong. Su-ho drove a domestic car. There was some rattling noise, but it wasn’t too bad. It was a second-hand car, over seven years old.
“…What is this?”
Getting out of the car, my mouth dropped open in shock. An absurd scene unfolded before my eyes.
Part of a red castle was awkwardly perched atop a five-story building, exuding a creepy atmosphere.
“Hey, you can see it?”
“Clearly. People walking by… they’re not even looking. Can’t others see it?”
“Ordinary people can’t see it. I was planning to use the artifact given by the Sel Sect to make you see it… but looks like we don’t need the artifact.”
“Why can I see it?”
“Well, um… maybe because you were transported to the Tattoo World?”
Park Su-ho stammered. He didn’t seem to fully understand either.
I had a few guesses.
‘Park Su-ho talks about the Evil Spirit… so, there’s something connecting me and Bramasen. Once, it almost endangered Earth by revealing its true form here.’
If it weren’t for the 30-day regression ability, this world might’ve been destroyed by that thing.
Hero Park Su-ho isn’t very reliable, and if the other two heroes are similar to him… this world seems doomed.
I need to help Park Su-ho.
I don’t want this world to end up completely ruined.
“We could ask the association for help, right?”
“I can’t trust the association. They won’t easily believe me… and if they find out about my abilities, who knows what they’ll do. If they learn about the Tattoo World, they might even plan an invasion.”
That made sense.
The Hunter Association wouldn’t stay idle upon learning about the existence of the Tattoo World. They’d surely try to meddle somehow. If the Hunter Association finds out, America would likely find out too…
‘This situation is getting way too complicated.’
I stared at the red castle. Right now, only part of it is visible.
“It looks like an erosion dungeon. Are you saying priests of the Evil Spirit are conducting a ritual inside that castle?”
“Yes. The Evil Spirit is also called the God of Madness. It can manipulate monsters through madness. It wouldn’t be strange if monsters suddenly poured out from there anytime soon. Likely, they can already release monsters, but since the ritual isn’t complete, they’re staying quiet. There’s no need to cause chaos in an incomplete state.”
“So, what should I do?”
