Damned System

Chapter 24. Player (4)

– Kj: Three days ago, we gathered 10 Koreans and completed a mission for the first time, right? In that mission, 3 people died, and 3 others were seriously injured, so we called 119 and they went to the hospital immediately.
– Kj: All of them were taken away by something called protective custody by 111. 111 is the National Intelligence Service.
– Kj: But from the next day, no comments were coming up.
– Kj: Just a while ago, the community updated, and I tried adding remaining codenames to my friends list from the post where we exchanged private comments, but it showed they were deceased players. Hold on, I’ll capture it.

Through custom design functions, capturing the status window, inventory, and even the community was possible.

It was even possible to upload it to the auction tab.

‘Since the gift function has appeared, he could just send it.’

Sure enough, a message soon appeared notifying that a gift from Kj had arrived.

Several image files were there. I scrutinized them meticulously.

‘So the player taken by the National Intelligence Service died…’

The death messages were for A-kka, Sleep Mask, and Lotto, these three.

The records matched the lists on the mission completion record.

It was true that the National Intelligence Service had been mentioned in the last comments they left.

There was also talk that they met other players there.

However, I couldn’t just believe everything Kj said by just looking at a few images.

‘It could be a setup with the NIS.’

There were plenty of scammers in the world.

But if what they’re saying was true?

‘I guess I should move more cautiously.’

I was glad I decided to contact Kj.

– Kj: I’m not sure if they did it… but for now, we collectively decided to avoid drawing attention.
– K: Thanks for letting me know.
– Kj: It wasn’t much. Oh, by the way, do you know who’s been killing animals around Gwanak District these days?
– K: I’ve seen the articles. No idea who, though.
– Kj: Must be a player, right?
– K: Probably. The timing is too perfect.
– Kj: Wasn’t it right the day after our tutorial ended?
– K: Yeah, thanks anyway. Could you share any information if you hear something?
– Kj: Of course! Could you give me some tips instead? I hesitated when to ask because it might seem like I’m just trying to exploit you, but I’m too desperate to care. I really don’t want to die. I’m too scared to sleep fearing I might be dragged back.

This wasn’t just a simple request for common information.

Capturing and detailing the National Intelligence Service story meant he probably had expectations on his part too.

Maybe saying they entered with ten and came out with seven was to earn sympathy.

No, from the beginning, creating a codename similar to mine might have been a calculated move.

There’s a higher chance I’d notice than some unrelated word.

‘Given that he apologized right from the start of sending messages…’

Was it an attempt to minimize antagonism and start a conversation smoothly?

Looking back at Kj’s actions, I chuckled.

‘He’s not as naive as he seems.’

Judging from his actions, he knew how to use his brain.

The conversation I had with Kj might superficially seem like just a chat between Koreans about this game.

But when I retraced each statement, there seemed to be subtle intent emerging.

He might have been wary, thinking he might gain something.

That fact wasn’t particularly displeasing to me.

I approached first because I had something I wanted too.

Thus, there wasn’t a need to hesitate.

‘If the National Intelligence Service story is true, then it’d be like receiving and escaping.’

My hand moved easier than expected.

– K: Do you have Mana Manipulation?
– Kj: That 500 in the skills tab? No, I don’t have enough mana yet.

Having tried entering the mission site, he should know the patterns of monsters with Absorb and Purification.

So, I decided to share some other information.

– K: Don’t buy it. There might be personal differences, but you can learn the skill alone.
– Kj: ????

The price of Mana Manipulation sold at the store was 500 mana.

Paying that full price in the early 1-level period was quite burdensome.

‘I suppose it’s to create a survival path for those without any talent.’

For me, level 1 was the stage to build the body, too soon to use mana.

‘Probably the Fox Monster is the standard.’

The required mana for shaping a body capable of overwhelming monsters with sheer force is 1,000.

After creating the body, one starts properly at level 2.

You gather skills, weapons, potions, and the like from the store.

And then at level 3…

‘That’s when the real hunting starts, probably.’

Doesn’t the simply increased number of monsters give away the answer?

In that structure, Mana Manipulation, which could be called a basic skill, costs 500 mana.

Given the necessity of that skill from level 1, the cost was too high.

To me, it strongly felt like a last resort.

‘If nothing else works, just buy it and use it then.’

Looking at the fact that skills could be learned without system assistance, the possibility was high.

Of course, the structure of mana detection and invisibility is too complex to learn alone.

But at least Mana Manipulation was a learnable skill.

– K: From what I found, once you exceed 50 points, you can perceive mana. At 130, it should be enough. First, sense the mana and try moving it inside your body. Then it should appear in the skills tab.
– K: Although the acquisition rate seems to have personal differences. Someone I know took a month to learn Mana Manipulation.
– Kj: A month?
– K: It might be faster if you have a related Trait, but it’s possible even without one. Don’t rashly think about buying using mana because it takes a long time. Don’t blindly enter depending on numbers either. It’s better to play safely and steadily than to waste the mana you gathered risking your life. After learning Mana Manipulation, practice the materialization stage. You’ll struggle clearing Level 2 without it.
– Kj: Materialization? What’s that? Is it a skill too?
– K: I just call it that. An auxiliary function linked with Mana Manipulation? It involves bringing mana out of the body appearing as a red haze. Think of it as increasing attack power when you overlay it on your body or weapon.
– K: At levels 1 and 2, those are my tips.
– Kj: … Thanks. Really, really appreciate it.
– K: Thanks for the National Intelligence Service story as well.
– Kj: I’ll definitely repay this favor.

His mention of ‘favor’ stirred something within me.

I pushed those feelings aside and sent a message.

– K: Instead of repaying the favor, I’d appreciate it if you could keep my being Korean a secret.
– Kj: Of course! I’m loyal only to you, hyung!

He seemed smart enough not to worry too much for the time being.

He’d keep his mouth shut to get more information from me anyway.

I had already heard that Kj had assembled a party.

Naturally, I had considered that when I made my statement.

What I desired from him was not to talk about me everywhere in the community like John, just that much.

– Kj: Love you! I’ll definitely let you know if I hear about the National Intelligence Service! Just trust me!

Yeah right, love… I answered with a bitter smile.

Afterward, I closed the chat window, stood up, and activated invisibility.

I put the butterfly in my pocket to detect mana and started moving between the buildings briefly.

My expression gradually hardened.

“Already six.”

Hidden between the alleys were more people than expected.

Thanks to the butterfly picking up all the mana around, I couldn’t unknowingly pass them by.

A stakeout perhaps?

After catching my breath, I activated Sense Expansion by circulating Mana Manipulation.

With sharpened senses, I could detect things that normal humans would struggle to notice.

“… The smell of gunpowder.”

It was the acrid smell you’d pick up after fireworks.

I pondered. Are firearms needed to capture the animal killer?

“If they’re police, they may possess live ammunition, but…”

It felt off, maybe because the smell of gunpowder was quite thick.

Moreover, the number of people was too big for the scale of the incident.

“I suppose today might be the D-day.”

It didn’t matter much whose affiliation those hiding nearby belonged to.

The fact that if the criminal intended to kill animals today, the chances of getting caught were high.

“If it’s the police, I can follow them and observe more… If it’s the government or directly from the National Intelligence Service, I could find their location this time.”

Being a national intelligence agency, their address wasn’t on the internet.

It is said that they’re in Naegok-dong, but having never visited, it might be a fake.

It could not be avoided using vehicles for transfer, so I could ride on top of them and follow.

‘My mana is sufficient.’

Only using invisibility, it was possible to maintain it for about 2 hours.

I passed by those undercover while organizing my thoughts calmly.

“Meowww!”

At that moment, a high-pitched scream, sharp enough to tear, was heard in the distance.

‘A cat?’

It was definitely a cat’s cry. Apparently, the chosen animal this time was a cat.

It was exquisite timing, as if it had been waiting for this situation.

I could tell immediately since I heard it several times before.

This was the final struggle a being emitted right before its death.

I leaped, kicking off the external air conditioner installed on the building’s wall.

With just a few jumps, I reached the top of the building, and I raced along the railing.

Soon, a large mass was caught by the mana detection. It was three to four times bigger than an ordinary human.

No need to think too deeply. That fellow was a player.

I was not too surprised as it was somewhat expected.

But when I found a shadow creeping up the wall at the place where the mana led to, I almost cursed out loud.

‘Dammit.’

Until then, I was shaken, yet had no intention of stepping forward.

But then, the heightened sense caught a clicking sound.

The pervasive smell of gunpowder, the sound of loading a gun, and the increasingly close mana as well.

I clenched my teeth without realizing it.

“I found it!”

“On the third floor!”

“Surround it!”

Just then, people who emerged from the alley between buildings arrived at the scene.

Everyone held guns in their hands.

Who would have thought to see weapons loaded with live bullets in the middle of Seoul?

Players seemed to have died after contact with the NIS.

Ethan in my mind, having had to stand under gunpoint every time a mission ended due to body measurement.

When both stories tangled, I jumped off from the rooftop and landed on an outdoor air conditioning unit protruding from the building.

I grabbed a hold of the fellow who was climbing the wall.

“He vanished!”

Since I could overlay my invisibility upon contact, I quickly enveloped him with mana.

“Mm!”

At the same time, I covered his mouth to prevent any scream.

By then, my insides were bubbling with rage.

Blood-stained hands.

Would have barely reached my solar plexus in height.

A tender face with messy hair, not properly trimmed.

Eyes, red and moist with tears.

‘Bloody Damned System.’

It was a child appearing barely twelve years old or so, wearing a black hoodie covered in cat fur.

“Don’t just stay dazed, find him!”

“He’s not here!”

“He couldn’t have gone far, move!”

Seeing those still clutching firearms, retreating without the kid wasn’t an option.

I cradled the child and left the place.