A new revolution has begun in the world.
This unprecedented event, later to be called the Awakened One Revolution, was something never seen before in human history.
The Rift’s eruption. Though only 1-Star and 2-Star Calamities emerged during this event, it still caused significant casualties.
And most of the casualties were civilians—those who chose not to become Players, remaining as bystanders.
Through this disaster, the government realized it could not control the new world order with mere public authority.
Only Awakened Ones within the same system could handle Calamities. They could no longer sit idly by in the face of reality.
Thus, the government’s choice was to recruit.
“So, you’re telling me to hunt down this dog-like monster?”
“Yes. It’s a task only Mr. Yoo Jun-seo can accomplish.”
Until just a week ago, Yoo Jun-seo was a social service conscript. Now, overnight, he had become a man wielding new power.
For Yoo Jun-seo, who loved games, this change in the world was quite enjoyable. It was as if he was playing a game—gathering Calamities like loot.
With two 2-Star Calamities under his belt, Yoo Jun-seo stood out even among the Awakened Ones whose abilities had been verified by the government. The spear in the shape of a round cone he carried was the result of funneling all the forest fox ears obtained from the eruption into synthesis. This was far more efficient and powerful than any conventional weapon.
“This beast has killed thousands. It’s called the Hellfire Guardian, I hear.”
“Hmm…”
In response to the government official’s report, Yoo Jun-seo tilted his head.
He couldn’t comprehend how a monster the size of a large dog could kill thousands.
But that’s what Calamities were. Even the 2-Star Calamities Yoo Jun-seo had gathered had taken the lives of about a dozen Awakened Ones before being subdued.
“Sounds like at least a 3-Star Calamity. No, maybe a 4-Star one?”
“…Awakened One would know best, I believe.”
“You’re telling me to kill this thing alone?”
“No. Civilian Awakened Ones and military Awakened Ones will provide support fire. And if there’s anything else you require…”
“What do I get if I kill this thing?”
Yoo Jun-seo asked bluntly, while the government official hesitated carefully.
Until recently, he was a public servant, suffering under bureaucratic authority while doing public service work. Now, he was in a position of power, speaking disrespectfully to those in charge.
It was a euphoric feeling.
The official, clearly flustered, said:
“Recently, the National Assembly passed the Awakened One Certification System.”
“National Assembly? That tower that’s sticking up there? When did the congressmen become monsters?”
“Not that place. A temporary National Assembly building has been constructed.”
“Alright. So what does that have to do with my reward?”
“The government is planning to establish the Awakened One Management Bureau soon. And the inaugural Director position…”
“Are you telling me to be another government dog, even though I’ve done public service?”
“Ah! Not at all! Absolutely not!”
Yoo Jun-seo chuckled and tapped the bowing official on the shoulder.
“Hehe, just kidding, uncle. Why so frightened?”
“A, ahaha…”
“Alright then. I’ll take the Director’s job. But you better prepare a good amount of money. And in the next eruption, expect me to capture at least five 2-Star Calamities, so provide military support as well. Then I’ll consider it.”
“Understood. I’ll inform the higher-ups…”
“Make it an instant okay. Otherwise, I’m going home.”
“Y-Yes, Sir.”
Inside, Yoo Jun-seo was smiling.
The taste of power. He had no intention of letting it go easily.
“Wouldn’t getting a 4-Star Calamity make me presidential material?”
That’s genuinely what Yoo Jun-seo thought.
[The Rift’s Eruption, Nationwide Damage, Estimated Casualties Exceeding 5 Million.]
[Man-eating Wild Dogs Appearing Throughout Seoul. What is the Hellfire Guardian?]
[Awakened One Certification System Initiated, Awakened One Management Bureau Under Construction.]
The signal still worked in The Abyss as it appears.
With a sigh, he browsed the headlines on his phone.
‘Is this what people call the apocalypse?’
It wasn’t just Korea—worldwide, order had collapsed. Surprisingly, some nationalistic YouTubers were even boasting that Korea had suffered less damage.
Even though they were “only” 1-Star or 2-Star Calamities, the damage was enormous. Regardless of the type of conventional weaponry, Calamities mocked human civilization. In the end, only Awakened Ones within the same system could deal with them.
Especially the 4-Star Calamity Hellfire Guardian that appeared in Seoul was said to have killed over a thousand people and nested in Namsan.
Hadn’t I almost died from that thing just yesterday?
‘Then why did it appear?’
A 4-Star Calamity showing up during the first eruption wasn’t normal.
Something that didn’t usually happen even in games.
To spawn a 4-Star Calamity in an eruption, the base would almost need to be upgraded to near maximum levels.
An idea started forming in my mind.
“Selene?”
The Hellfire Guardian trembled with fear at The Blackened Saint Selene.
That meant the Hellfire Guardian had met Selene before.
Perhaps the Hellfire Guardian wasn’t part of the dungeon’s Abyss originally? After all, both were flame-attribute Calamities.
Could this disaster have arisen from the dungeon’s boss escaping?
And the cause? That’s me. Selene coming to see me triggered events leading to hundreds of casualties.
“…Tch.”
The sense of guilt wasn’t overwhelming.
Maybe it was because it all felt too surreal. There was no real awareness of having committed a grave sin.
However, it was certain that just The Blackened Saint Selene walking around caused unimaginable damage.
I turned my head and sneakily glanced at Selene.
She was kneeling, in prayer, facing the exit of The Abyss. Still, it almost seemed like she wasn’t breathing until I noticed the fire around her flickering as if it were her breath.
It seemed she was on guard duty, though it felt excessive.
‘Should I take her with me?’
That was what I pondered for the past day.
After careful consideration, the answer was clear.
‘Of course, I should take her.’
Obtaining a 5-Star character from the Disaster Order was like trying to pick stars out of the sky.
Even after playing the game for two years, I’d only managed to get Selene.
Now that the game was reality, the value of a 5-Star character could not be quantified by mere numbers.
There was no way I couldn’t take her.
And there was only one way to collect Selene.
[Do you wish to establish a base?]
[Y / N]
I placed my hand on the Y button.
Ping! A cheerful alert sound rang.
[The current location is set as the base.]
[The present ruler, ‘Actor’, is located in the dungeon “The Abyss.”]
[The dungeon “The Abyss” becomes the base!]
As the voice ended, the previously locked Base Management menu on the status screen opened.
[Base represents the first stage of the Disaster Order.]
[Manage calamities, send them on expeditions, and command synthesis and strengthening from the Base Management Menu.]
[You can strengthen the base by collecting Exp.]
I touched the Base Composition window.
Inside the slot, the SD dot-graphic portrait of The Blackened Saint Selene was inserted.
‘5-Star from the get-go?’
This felt like the ultimate cheat code.
I tapped on Selene’s portrait and brought up the information window about her currently equipped items.
[5☆ Inferno Halberd]
[4☆ Rosary of Fallen Grace]
[5☆ Shell of the Dead God]
‘Is all this equipment also maintained?’
I couldn’t help but chuckle.
Since Selene is flame-attribute, she was specialized in explosive damage. I’d equipped her with all the expensive gear accordingly, and now, even with the game becoming reality, it all remained.
Meanwhile, at the lower right corner of the Base Management menu, it showed the amount of experience I currently held.
[Current Exp: 3375Exp]
It felt like I’d used some cheat code to get this amount of experience.
It would be impossible to physically collect this much experience from the first eruption.
‘I’ll save it for now.’
There’s currently no need to use the experience. With only Selene as my single Calamity, I can’t increase my Calamity count, let alone synthesize or enhance them.
Sending her on expeditions is the only option, but there’s nowhere to send her.
‘No, wait.’
There is a place.
A news article I’d seen earlier came to mind.
The Disaster Order isn’t a game where the player physically moves and runs around.
Rather, it’s a game where the calamity-like minions are sent on expeditions to farm items.
Lower-tier calamities required the ruler character to accompany them on expeditions, but those under my command are the highest-tier calamities, seven in total during the game.
That means…
“Selene.”
After clearing my throat, I called out Selene’s name. In an instant, she turned her body and arrived in front of me before I could blink.
“Master, did you call?”
Her body, which was disfigured by burns in various places, was strikingly obvious, but her skin, visible between her ash-gray hair, glowed like white jade under the red flames.
I almost got transfixed before I forcibly recomposed myself and spoke.
“Selene, do you remember the Hellfire Guardian we saw yesterday?”
“Yes. It was the guard dog at the entrance of The Abyss. I felt pity for it wandering around aimlessly and brought it in.”
So, it was indeed a calamity from The Abyss.
That confirmed my suspicions.
Anyway, the Hellfire Guardian is a 4-Star flame-attribute calamity. Acquiring it early would prove useful in the long run.
“Hmm… If I were to order you to capture it, would you… comply?”
“Shall we go now?”
Selene nodded as if it were the most natural thing, then opened her mouth after biting her lips gently.
“Master, please promise me one thing in return.”
“Speak.”
“I will follow any command you give, whether it’s to kill or to die. But please, please promise me you won’t leave, that you will stay here. I… I… I have nowhere else to go without you, Master…”
Selene abruptly closed her mouth.
“…It was a slip of the tongue. Such concerns are none of my business.”
“…”
What do you want me to do?
I was driven mad.
Too much loyalty was somewhat burdensome.
I can’t even relax as the base operator.
However, it would be right to go along with Selene’s wishes here.
It would be better to gradually learn about her.
“I won’t leave.”
Hesitant, Selene’s shoulders trembled. Her crimson eyes shimmered.
“…Then please, carry out my order without worrying.”
“I will obey.”
Selene dissolved into particles and disappeared.
It seemed she exited The Abyss.
The oppressive atmosphere disappeared with her. I stretched my rigid body and reclined comfortably.
“Finally, I can breathe easier.”
With a sigh, I flipped open my phone’s screen.
[The Awakened One Union Sets Out to Eliminate the Hellfire Guardian.]
While I was managing the base, a new news article appeared.
The news picture showed a man holding two 2-Star Calamity Ruins Foxes on either side, grinning with a sly smile.
“…Well, they’ll probably be fine.”
Could anything really go wrong?
I suppressed the growing unease with that thought.
