Damned System

Chapter 110. Party Play (1)

It seemed that a slightly different message had appeared for Yang Taeho compared to mine.

「Contact with Alpha.」

「Alpha is purifying the corrupted mana.」

It was only natural for him to be surprised.

Being able to purify corrupted mana without using purification pills was something he probably had never heard of.

Even I had not expected it until the level of my purification trait increased.

‘I didn’t realize that the difference between non-growing and growing types would be here.’

It was because of this trait that I started to think seriously about forming a party.

Of course, just because the level increased didn’t mean that the purification trait was a cure-all.

「Purification (lv.2 – 38.79%)」

• Category: Trait (Reward)

• Description: A privilege granted to players with excellent performance, allowing purification of corrupted mana independently without the help of purification pills. The area that can be purified expands as the level increases.

• Effect lv.2: Capable of purifying another’s corrupted mana only through physical contact.

At level 2, I had to maintain contact with the player I intended to purify.

I frowned slightly as I purified Yang Taeho’s corrupted mana.

‘Purification pills really are inefficient as hell.’

Corrupted mana that a 100-mana purification pill can purify ranged from 100 to 150.

Players without the purification trait found it difficult to eliminate chaos levels entirely with just purification pills.

When mana was used to purchase purification pills, the level of purified mana decreased, raising the chaos level.

Even if the chaos level was reduced with further purification, the same thing happened the next time purification pills were purchased.

‘Only purified mana can be used at the shop.’

While the magnitude of mana each player possessed varied and the efficiency of purification depended on their mana manipulation skills.

Fundamentally, the way Gammas managed their chaos level was more vicious cycle than virtuous cycle.

‘There are so many other things to buy with mana besides purification pills.’

Hence, most Gamma-ranked players tended to maintain their chaos level at a moderate level instead of reducing it to zero at once.

Using too much mana on purification pills would leave them lagging behind.

This inefficient training process was likely why players were divided into Alpha, Beta, and Gamma ranks.

‘Providing the purification trait to everyone would be difficult, so they focus intense support on those who make their mark.’

The system had given Alphas the power to nurture other players.

Perhaps it was due to the causality that the system had mentioned.

‘The more autonomy given to players, the less burden there seems to be on causality.’

While purifying Yang Taeho’s corrupted mana, I pondered over the structure of this system.

After some silence, Yang Taeho steadied himself and spoke in a slightly excited voice.

“It seems we won’t be bored hanging around with you, huh?”

Given how surprising everything was with me, even getting tired of being surprised was something, he confessed with a smile before taking a deep breath.

“Wow, my body feels like it’s going to fly since the chaos is lower.”

Yang Taeho may have been able to endure corrupted mana better, but he was certainly not free from its influence.

“It will take some time to purify everything.”

“Do I have to keep holding on then?”

“Just any part of your body needs to touch mine.”

I was already purifying players affiliated with Palao.

Thus, I had already confirmed the minimum condition necessary for purification.

‘It’s ridiculous to keep standing here like this.’

I glanced once more at the dark sky before extending my left arm to Yang Taeho.

Yang Taeho grabbed my wrist, and we resumed moving in that position.

“You really never know what life has in store, huh?”

Was he excited because the chaos level was decreasing in real-time?

“I never thought I’d be glad to hold onto another man!”

Yang Taeho continued to talk in an excited voice.

Given his mood, there didn’t seem to be any need to dampen it, so I decided to go along.

“I never thought there would be a day when I’d walk holding onto another guy.”

“Haha, good thing there’s no one around to see us? Imagine if someone saw,” he joked, laughing off the misunderstanding.

Having traveled together for a while, it was clear Yang Taeho had a sincerely good-natured demeanor.

He seemed to live believing that goodness begets goodness.

‘His chaos limit being 70 is quite telling in that regard.’

On one hand, it was benevolent, but on the other, it might seem like a tendency to avoid conflict.

Though likely older than me, mentally leaning on Jonghun was a different type of reliance.

However, it wasn’t a major issue.

When making decisions about the party’s course, my opinion as leader would take precedence.

Thus, Yang Taeho’s good-natured personality was a welcome trait.

‘He might serve as a brake in case I overstep.’

Having such a person around provided a reference point to reassess my actions.

‘Nice.’

I was pleased with the advantages Yang Taeho’s addition brought.

Just then, feeling somewhat satisfied, Yang Taeho casually asked about my background.

“So, how old are you anyway? You look younger than me.”

Age wasn’t really an issue.

“Twenty-five.”

“You’re younger than I thought. Your mouth moves the same when you speak; are you Korean?”

“Yes.”

“I’m thirty-five this year. How about we just call it like bros, hyung, and dongsaeng?”

“Whatever you’re comfortable with. I’m not particular about those things.”

“But what’s your codename? Isn’t it time you told me?”

“Oh.”

Upon his follow-up question, I abruptly halted.

It made me realize that I had only disclosed half of my identity.

‘Guess I’ve gotten used to the beastfolk.’

Recently, I frequently interacted with them.

They didn’t ask for names but sniffed for identity instead.

Being accustomed to such interactions, I ended up asking Yang Taeho’s codename without offering mine.

But perhaps Yang Taeho thought I was keeping my name secret.

‘It’s not that I’m trying to be mysterious…’

Awkwardness struck me, prompting a quick response as I sent a party invitation to Yang Taeho.

“It’s K.”

“…… Huh? What did you say?”

It seemed an alert for a party invitation had popped up as Yang Taeho repeated in a confused tone.

“I said it’s K…”

Midway through my calm reply, my gaze suddenly locked onto the map.

It was due to the appearance of a black dot at the edge of the map.

Seeing monsters marked on the map wasn’t unusual.

‘Maybe there’s still one or two lurking around.’

But the tingling sensation I felt suggested otherwise.

The way that dot appeared on the map was peculiar.

‘It popped up spontaneously.’

At that moment, the black dot on the map started moving in our direction.

It rapidly closed the distance, then slowed momentarily before moving fast toward us again.

It behaved like it leaped across the ground in large strides.

It resembled how it appeared earlier at the map’s edge.

‘There’s nothing around here that moves like that.’

There were unmistakable traces of monsters still around in the form of corpses nearby.

Monsters and evolved breeds caught in this region were a mingling of monkeys and spiders.

Creatures that crawled on their many limbs attached to their torso would not move like that.

“Hmm, really? You’re really K? Wow, wow, what a trivial thing!” exclaimed Yang Taeho, accepting the party invitation.

But when he opened his mouth again in a slightly high-pitched voice, I was already tightening my grip on my spear.

It wasn’t on purpose, but it led to me unintentionally throwing Yang Taeho’s hand off mine.

He immediately noticed my change in demeanor and asked.

“Huh? What’s up now?”

“It’s coming.”

As I finished speaking, the black dot drew rapidly closer.

I focused mana in my eyes.

My sight extended a bit further, and amidst the trees, a faint shadow could be seen.

Lined against the darkness, it wasn’t distinct.

But the black mass bounding swiftly, closing the gap in leaps, was substantial.

‘About three meters.’

The first thing that came to mind was the corpse of a 4-star evolved breed I witnessed in an underground bunker.

“Stay back.”

Perhaps a full party might have been another story.

Yang Taeho alone wouldn’t be much help in combat against a 4-star evolved breed.

Fortunately, his mana was rock-type.

‘He should at least be able to defend himself.’

Had he asked unnecessary questions, I might have lowered his evaluation.

However, he immediately took up a shield and retreated.

Following my instruction, he quickly understood that this was not his fight.

Thanks to that, I could focus entirely on the ever-approaching evolved breed.

Seeing four black stars above the massive beast’s head stirred memories from two weeks ago.

Around when the 7 Order leaders decided to disclose high-rank corrupted areas.

An entry was made into a 4-star corrupted area with Palao’s holy knights.

The primary goal was to directly experience the dangers of high-rank corrupted areas.

Additionally, it aimed to accumulate combat experience in tight situations.

Having honed skills via Shamel, there was a need to utilize them in real combat.

As a result, that day’s verdict was that it was difficult even to fulfill my part.

‘It was full of evolved breeds after all.’

Realistically assessing it, the number of high-tier evolved breeds I could handle alone was three.

Fortunately, this time, there was only one.

Even with the map fully expanded, no other black dots approached like that creature.

So, I readily drew my spear in anticipation.

‘It’d be humiliating not to catch it, even if it’s just one.’

To probe it and ready myself for the real battle.

Gripping the spear firmly, I stepped out with my left foot.

At this point, Shamel’s often-heard voice automatically played in my head.

– Why’s an aspiring spearman’s back so stiff? The shaft and the waist should always move together, shouldn’t they?

Having mastered it to the point of natural usage, I twisted my waist to add power to the soaring spear.

– You think just throwing it qualifies as a spear throw? To truly throw a spear, you must learn to pierce the air first.

I coiled my fingers around the spear shaft to impart rotation for a farther, faster throw.

Subsequently, when the stance, honed through countless practices, was perfected.

Without hesitation, I contracted my muscles and hurled the spear in my hand.

Swaaash-!

A sound cut through the air.

With 3 or 4 stars, the evolved breeds had absorbed at least five to six times more mana than regular ones.

Skilled enough to coordinate an organized pincer attack was a given.

With physical abilities fast enough to surpass a Bronze rank player’s perception skills.

Thus, from the outset, I threw the spear with all my might.

Creating a sharp noise, the spear was no force to be underestimated.

Since attaining Silver rank, I could crush marble with sheer grip strength.

Indeed, spinning powerfully as it flew, the spear didn’t stop even upon encountering obstacles.

Smashing the edges of trees in its trajectory, it doggedly kept on its path.

Thus, it arrived in proximity just as the evolved breed prepared another leap.

“Damn.”

But the outcome wasn’t ideal.

The evolved breed, rapidly twisting its upper body, moved so quickly that an afterimage remained.

The spear I threw fell harmlessly, missing its target.

It would’ve been better had it wounded it beforehand.

‘Can’t be helped.’

A sense of regret arose but was swiftly cast aside.

Facing a creature more dangerous than myself allowed no room for stray thoughts.

Despite tossing aside my musings for barely a moment, the evolved breed’s full form was now visible.

Damned System