Damned System

Chapter 45. Contact (2)

A loud ringing sound echoed in my head. This unfamiliar resonance was accompanied by dizziness, but luckily, it subsided quickly.

“Shouldn’t we wait until Ahel wakes up? There’s a barrier too…”

“As long as we don’t know that man’s identity, we should avoid relying on him too much.”

From that point on, I began to understand their conversation.

“But he saved us…”

“Raul, this is not a place where a single Ainos would roam around alone.”

“It’s not like there aren’t any survivor villages in this corrupted area. Survivors drifting in from other countries may have settled nearby.”

“That’s a fair possibility. But there’s no harm in being cautious.”

“Do you think he has some special intent in tracking us?”

“We won’t forget the grace of being saved, but we must not let our guard down.”

The language that reached my ears was still unfamiliar, yet the meaning was automatically interpreted in my mind.

“… This is fascinating.”

At my low muttering, the man and woman quickly turned to look at me with a “whisk!” sound.

“Someone who can speak Tenir… No, is it magic?”

Instead of answering, I removed the earring I was wearing and tossed it towards the woman.

The woman’s eyes widened as she caught the fingernail-sized earring.

She even tried wearing it herself.

“It’s a magic tool. Why didn’t you use it earlier?”

Again, in my mind, the strange language was instantly interpreted.

‘It’s really fascinating.’

Is it something that only works in this world? Does it interpret foreign languages from Earth as well?

While I was pondering this alone, the woman returned the earring to me.

It was easy to catch the object flying in a parabola.

After putting the earring back on, I answered the question the woman had asked.

“Because it just appeared.”

“… Just now?”

“If I explain, would you even believe me?”

The woman didn’t give a clear answer. Ironically, that was an answer in itself.

Was she intentionally showing her true feelings because she didn’t plan to hide them?

Or did she reveal them inadvertently because she didn’t know how to conceal them?

I fiddled with my ear, which throbbed where the earring pierced it, and gazed directly at the woman.

After meeting my gaze for a while, she spoke in a somewhat softened tone.

“If my behavior was unpleasant, I apologize.”

I hadn’t expected an apology so immediately, which caught me off guard.

“It wasn’t particularly unpleasant.”

“That’s a relief. Then, let me formally introduce myself: I am Rashar Bennett. I will never forget the grace of saving my subordinates.”

“I’m Raul Tejerma. Thank you so much for saving us.”

The man with navy hair, who had been checking on the injured, briefly introduced himself.

The two of them then looked at me in silence, as if waiting for me to say my name.

I momentarily considered giving my real name but then changed my mind.

“K.”

“K, since the language issue is resolved, I’d like to clarify something.”

“What?”

“The reason you saved my subordinates.”

Instead of answering immediately, I remained silent for a moment.

It was a lot to think about how to start the story.

System, other dimensions, missions… They’re all unrealistic topics to discuss with someone you’ve just met.

‘They’d probably think I’m crazy if I spoke about such things.’

As my hesitation lengthened, Rashar spoke in a calm tone.

“If we speak honestly to each other, misunderstandings and conflicts can be minimized. I promise to set aside prejudice to understand your situation.”

That might have been just a courteous formality.

But both Rashar and I understood that, given the current situation, such a courteous formality was the best we could manage.

‘The system designated them as allies.’

This was different behavior from when it proclaimed the monsters as enemies.

‘Of course, not all allies can be trusted entirely.’

Unlike the immediately aggressive monsters, there was an opportunity to try to build a relationship with these people.

“Because I was told to.”

I thought it would be better to speak honestly, to get things off on the right foot.

“… Who?”

“The ones who brought me here.”

“Here?”

“The world with two moons, or a new world according to that guy’s expression.”

As soon as I recited the title of the mission I had just cleared, both Rashar and Raul flinched simultaneously.

They exchanged glances before asking me a question I hadn’t expected.

“Could you perhaps be… an outsider?”

My eyebrows rose significantly.

An outsider—how better to describe my situation?

“I guess you’ve met someone like me?”

Even while I was testing them, I first thought that couldn’t be possible.

There couldn’t be a player who’d contacted the locals of this world before me. Everyone should still be at Level 1 or 2, unable to break through the barrier yet.

Rashar shook her head before I could even finish asking.

“This is my first time seeing one directly.”

Her face was quite complex, and mine wasn’t much different.

If it’s their first time seeing one directly, does that mean they’ve heard of us indirectly? From whom?

“I’d like to hear more details.”

Rashar pondered for quite a while.

But when she finally spoke after an extended silence, her answer was unexpectedly firm.

“Impossible.”

“Why?”

“I’m not certain you are an outsider. Providing information to someone I cannot trust does not seem a wise choice.”

“… Can you explain without revealing important information?”

Rashar, glancing slightly downward in thought, spoke in a cautious voice.

“Do you not know?”

“Know what?”

“A prophecy… a few years ago, there was a prophecy that outsiders would come.”

The conversation was taking me in an unexpected direction.

‘A prophecy?’

Is religion involved in this?

On Earth, religious issues often became major influences on historical events.

Without knowing the value or weight of religion in this world, caution was necessary.

‘If people mention prophecies so naturally, it must have considerable influence…’

That meant this was not something to take lightly based on personal judgment.

Making a wrong move could lead to severe trouble.

In the worst-case scenario, I might even be labeled a heretic or an infidel and end up burned at the stake in some gruesome end.

‘I want to avoid a pointless death.’

To evade tragedy, I needed more information.

“Other than that?”

“I cannot tell you because I cannot trust you.”

But it wasn’t as easy as I’d hoped.

Rashar shook her head in such a determined manner that there was no room left for discussion.

I internally clicked my tongue but decided to step back.

‘Maybe it’s better to proceed slowly rather than forcefully probing and causing resentment.’

If she’s so firm in her refusal, being persistent would be useless.

“Well, there’s no helping it then.”

“Then, may I continue asking what I’m curious about?”

“As much as you want.”

I shrugged my shoulders as I replied, and Rashar glanced at my waist.

“Why do you carry that shield?”

For some reason, her voice had dropped a notch.

Her golden eyes seemed somewhat sharper, too.

Apparently, this shield wasn’t a welcome object here.

Following her gaze downward, I answered.

“There are some complicated reasons.”

“I will try to understand without prejudice.”

“… The ultimate goal is to destroy it.”

“Why don’t you do it now? If you don’t know how, I can do it for you.”

Even before Rashar had finished speaking, she drew the sword hanging at her waist.

That was all there was to it—she merely drew her sword.

Yet the pressure was overwhelming.

*Swish.*

The sound of the sword blade was somehow eerily chilling.

‘Let’s not get intimidated.’

I carefully managed my expression and answered cautiously.

“That would be problematic. I’ll handle it myself when the time is right, so don’t worry.”

It was a vague answer. Considering the concealment regarding the destruction of the Connection and the mission, this was the best I could do.

I didn’t want to reveal the information that destroying it might return me to where I originally came from.

They were hiding something, too. Why should it be different for me?

I’m in a position where I can’t trust them blindly, so I need to hide and embellish things appropriately without telling lies.

However, Rashar’s gaze at the shield was exceptional.

So I added a word quickly.

“Don’t glare at it so much; there’s no bad intent behind it.”

“Just because there is no malice doesn’t mean it isn’t an evil act.”

It was a suspicious remark, but she didn’t press any further.

‘She isn’t wrong.’

I paused in thought, then pointed at the shield and asked.

“Is this a dangerous object?”

To prevent ignorance and innocence from leading to evil deeds, it was necessary to find out what it was.

“… Don’t you know about the Messeo?”

“The name I know is the Connection. Other than that, I know it contains mana.”

Taking another glance at the shield, Rashar continued her explanation in a calm tone.

“Where Messeo appears, monsters gather. The one that survives the battle for survival becomes an evolved species. Is that enough explanation?”

Swamp, little alligator, big alligator—the phenomena I had seen and experienced started to line up in order.

‘Evolved species.’

The hypothesis that this Connection created that large alligator was turning into a certainty.

It likely absorbed the mana pooled here, like players did.

“… How long does it usually take for monsters to swarm in?”

My voice came out slightly hoarse. Clearing my throat, Rashar continued to answer.

“The minimum reaction is 14 hours. Monsters gathered 14 hours after confirming the creation of the Messeo.”

“It doesn’t…”

“I wouldn’t know; it’s usually destroyed as soon as it’s discovered.”

About 4 or 5 hours had passed since I reached this forest.

‘I’m still in the safe zone?’

What happens if I remain here?

Will it become a monster lair like that swamp?

I steeled myself and asked.

“I carried this around for 5 days, but monsters have never swarmed in.”

“Just because you’ve been lucky so far doesn’t mean you will be in the future.”

“How many monsters gather exactly?”

“… You really are not a native of this world. At first ten, then a hundred, then a thousand.”

The longer Rashar spoke, the more the numbers from the mission list swayed before my eyes.

“The longer it stays, the more they gather, eventually reaching a level where no Ainos can step near it.”

Chills ran down my spine. There are over a thousand missions I know of that are for Level 3 and above.

At this moment, it meant that in many mission areas, evolved species were absorbing mana and growing stronger.

“Do you have any more questions?”

“What? Oh… Give me a moment.”

Taking a deep breath, my brain, which had been momentarily paralyzed, began working again.

“Do you know what a Hole is?”

“I don’t.”

There, I pushed aside the words Connection and Evolved Species for now. There seemed to be nothing more to probe about them, so I might as well ask about something else.

Taking out the voucher I kept in my pocket, I read the words on the system description window.

“So, do you know about the power of Finelpenia… Seems like you do.”

Their wide-open eyes were answer enough.

“What is it?”

Rashar and Raul were exchanging glances busily.

“Have you… been granted authority?”

Why were they being so cautious? It seemed they were nervous.

Noticing their demeanor, I nodded my head while watching them closely.

“It’s a single-use thing.”

“Single-use?”

“Meaning you can only use it once.”

“Ah, then you’ve been granted a blessing.”

Just as I furrowed my brows in confusion, Rashar extended her hand.

“If you truly are an outsider, showing you in person will be quicker than explaining.”

I silently stared at her extended hand for a moment.

Rashar simply waited, without urging me.

Could it be because the silence was quite comfortable?

In the end, I decided to hold Rashar’s hand of my own accord.

This action was based on logical reasoning.

‘A system reward couldn’t possibly be risky.’

There were tough missions, bizarre rewards, but they had never harmed me.

While holding Rashar’s hand, I used the Finelpenia’s Authority voucher.

Initially, it felt only repulsive.

Things I shouldn’t know seemed to squeeze into my head.

The problem was that I had no idea what those things were.

It felt like my head might explode, yet also strangely clear.

But the more that sensation repeated, the more I could begin to distinguish.

It was like a photograph, or maybe a video.

‘It’s a record…’

Indeed, what was flowing into my mind was a record.

To be precise, I was seeing past events from Rashar Bennett’s perspective.

And what I could see was merely fragments.

Pages filled with text and maps, brandishing a sword, and many people gathered to have serious discussions for a while.

Whenever Rashar’s reflection appeared in a window, the trees beyond it changed. Seasons had passed.

Around that time, Rashar stepped upon a glowingly blue painting along with hooded people.

Shadows were bustling about in a dark cave-like place.

Naked people, those with shackles, and children staring with clear eyes.

Rashar would urge them onward or carry them and dash.

Eventually, they ascended the painting and vanished.

And the pattern repeated with new groups of people ascending the painting and disappearing.

‘So that’s what…’

I came to understand how Rashar’s group, with their light shimmering in the sky, appeared before me.

Apparently, spatial movement existed in this world upon which the game was based.

That’s why there are skills like leap in the store.

‘It was some sort of rescue operation?’

Judging solely by results, the operation leaned towards success.

After transporting people, Rashar’s group infiltrated the cave and began to step onto the painting one by one.

Of course, it wasn’t a perfect success.

They couldn’t break the painting before about a dozen people exited.

‘Raul and that orange-haired fellow…’

The people I had saved were among them.

The moment I recognized familiar faces, the ground flipped, and I couldn’t follow the record clearly anymore.

Damned System