Damned System

Chapter 66. To the New World (5)

As the number of players continued to increase, it was inevitable that this game would surface above the water eventually.

This was why K argued that it was necessary to organize anti-player sentiments and forces in preparation for that time.

“In particular, regimes that could influence many should absolutely be dealt with.”

Ethan wholly agreed with his opinion.

The more people like David there were, the harder it would be when the existence of players became public knowledge.

Persecution and prejudice, discrimination and oppression.

These negative experiences that could be avoided would become unavoidable.

Having experienced it firsthand, his conviction was even stronger.

That was why he sought out someone who constantly clashed with David over every little thing.

“I’m really grateful you thought well of me.”

Selena, who sat with her legs crossed, smiled serenely and calmly.

“But changing the person in charge doesn’t happen for reasons like that.”

“I know. It’s impossible right now.”

Ethan, who had deliberately looked away, spoke with a faint smile.

“But just because it doesn’t work today doesn’t mean it won’t work next time, right?”

“Hmm?”

K took action just as Ethan met Selena.

“It was about preparing slowly and together for that time.”

“I’m not fond of airy promises.”

“K posted a new post, and it looks pretty useful.”

Selena’s eyes widened.

After posting the first guide, K hadn’t appeared in the community.

However, around the time Ethan contacted Selena, expressing a desire to meet her.

The following was posted,

「Title: Damned System 2(389) – Author: K」

K had posted an post with a familiar title.

“Guide? Damned System? K posted again?”

Selena asked, and Ethan shook his head.

“It’s not just that. There’s one more.”

“He posted two?”

“Yes.”

There were two consecutive posts with provocative titles.

Ethan clicked on the post and skimmed through its content.

「Title: World Government Response (62) – Author: K

Content: Please anonymously comment on how different countries’ governments are reacting to players—I will gather and post this information.

The intent is to keep an eye on or disregard places that might treat us as monsters or experimental subjects.

It’s better than being unaware.

At the very least, it should help decide whether to hide from the government or step out and seek protection.

In the worst-case scenario, one might even consider emigrating.

Leave anonymous comments, and only I will see them. I promise no code names will be exposed.

If you can’t trust this, I understand, but I hope players involved with governments will actively report for data accumulation.

Below is the information compiled as of July 3.

「—」」

K had multiple reasons for posting this post.

The first one, as expressed in the post, was to gather reports from unspecified individuals and compile information from various countries.

The second was to foster a culture among players where sharing information about those who reject or oppress players is natural.

The third and final reason,

– K: We need politicians from different countries. They don’t necessarily need to be friendly to us. It’s more important that they aren’t on good terms with those we need to overcome.
– K: That way, even if we’re on awkward terms, we can still make use of them. It’s better than having enemies from within.
– K: So, I’m looking to get your permission.
– Ethan Rembrandt: You want to spread stories about me to create an anti-player force, essentially an external enemy, among the players.
– K: Yes, it might be a difficult request, but seriously think about it.
– Ethan Rembrandt: I’m fine with it. Let’s make sure to openly write about what David did. Let them know it was me who reported it.
– Ethan Rembrandt: Even if it gets delivered through other players, it’s okay. I’ve been at odds with that person for a long time, and he recently clashed with the Prime Minister, so they can’t touch me.

When the existence of players surfaced, Ethan planned to expose in one strike all the wrongdoings of the anti-player forces.

By wielding the weapon of human rights, they aimed to easily round them up.

Of course, just creating a flow wasn’t enough.

They needed a blade for that day.

Ethan found Selena to be the ideal person for that role.

The plan wasn’t overly complicated, but Ethan wouldn’t have been able to carry it out alone.

“There probably aren’t many people reporting yet.”

Though he often appeared in the mission completion list, not as frequently as K did.

K had taken both the first and the best among players.

His reputation carried significant weight.

In practice, the response to posts Ethan posted was vastly different from those K posted.

The difference in the speed and scale at which reputation was built made it obvious.

“There’s a reason for the term ‘name value’.”

K’s plan didn’t end there.

He intended to select those who would participate in this plan, aiming to grow a player-based force.

“Alliance.”

The ultimate goal was to create an organization that represented and protected players, rather than achieving national benefits.

It was an attempt to build a network in advance, and Ethan was the first collaborator to join K’s grand plan.

“There’s no knowing, I might become a representative of the UK branch in the future.”

Ethan, indulging a bit in impractical thoughts, cast his gaze outside the window.

This was around the time the first tutorial, conducted alongside the second selection, had concluded.

Somewhere out there, there were probably many players whose identities had not yet been revealed.

He didn’t want to see them treated the same way he had been.

If he could bring David to ruin in the process, nothing would be more satisfying.

“I can afford to wait a bit longer.”

Ethan was willing to wait however long it took if it meant making David pay for his crimes.

Comforting himself, Ethan explained K’s post to Selena without a trace of impatience.

He also subtly hinted at how they would bring David down in the future using this post.

After explaining K’s plan as if it were his idea.

“How do you feel about it?”

Ethan, wearing a gentle smile reminiscent of a gentleman, awaited Selena’s reply.

* * *

The vehicle lent by Squad Leader Yang had been roughly parked in Jungnang District.

He had meticulously checked several times to ensure no fingerprints or hairs were left behind.

Several hours had passed since he left the area.

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

“Ugh.”

I covered my ears with both hands inside Jaehyuk’s borrowed car.

Uploading the post quickly was crucial for collecting meaningful data before the server connection.

So, as soon as preparations were complete, the post was uploaded.

The problem was that the update hadn’t happened yet.

As a result, I was suffering a second notification sound assault.

Though it was something I mentally prepared to endure before posting, the pain was undeniable.

“Ugh…”

I wanted to yell to vent my bubbling frustration.

“There’s a school right here.”

I had to hold it in.

I was currently in Jaehyuk’s borrowed car, waiting to pick up the twins.

I leaned against the car seat, covering my eyes with my hand, taking several deep breaths.

Even while the notification sounds continued, my mind didn’t stop thinking.

“Things are smooth so far.”

Squad Leader Yang was more cooperative than I had anticipated.

Thanks to this, I informed him about the war occurring in the other world and even that things were unfavorable.

I also explained that the hole in the dimension allowed monsters to come over at any time.

Additionally, in front of Squad Leader Yang, I verified the limits of firearms firsthand.

Because of that, I could imply a future need for players.

It was essentially creating an opportunity for players to establish a foothold in the future.

“They might not buy into it smoothly.”

It was definitely better than when holes were being created without knowing anything.

Squad Leader Yang took the game seriously, which allowed me to achieve quite a lot with just a monster or two.

But it’s too early to be satisfied here.

Including the second-round selected players who recently completed the tutorial, there are over 100,000.

Compared to the global population, it seems insignificant, but in absolute terms, it’s not a number that can be easily dismissed.

The fact that there wouldn’t be a single troublemaker among them is unlikely.

When there were less than 10,000, someone like Han Changshik emerged, so how many would come out when there are 100,000?

I’m not a god, and I cannot prevent accidents caused by unknown people.

“Somehow the sparks will fly.”

However, despite the accidents caused by them, players’ positions must remain stable.

To ensure that neither I nor the people around me are threatened just because I am a player.

For that, players with similar mindsets must unite.

I might not know their faces or personalities yet, but.

“There’s no choice but to gradually filter out the trolls…”

For now, I decided to give a signal to the leading figures who had started to stand out.

So, I sent friend requests to several players selected from the mission list first.

Some had set it up like me to refuse friend requests, so I gave away a few potions as gifts.

After a temporary setting change and waiting, friend requests came in immediately.

“Chat is a function only available between friends.”

With friendship established with a few players, eight chat windows were visible in my field of view.

“Adding those who haven’t responded, that makes 18.”

It included the leading players actively engaging in the game, especially those who had long been appearing in the mission completion list.

“They are the mainstays of parties often seen.”

The party members they moved with slightly changed, but missions were consistently progressing.

This implied they had at least the necessary leadership to maintain the skill and party long enough to survive.

Additionally, I considered contact with individuals reporting government news.

Direct exchange with relevant national governments meant an opportunity to approach the political realm.

They might already be conducting their own independent actions among themselves.

Of course, within these 18 people, it will be necessary to filter out those with strange tendencies or dangerous ideologies.

But there’s no way to find out immediately.

‘For now, this is it.’

Having finished everything possible, a deep, ground-sinking sigh escaped me.

“Whoo.”

Now it was time to resolve the issue with my siblings.

‘It wasn’t even this bad when I got caught stealing from Dad’s wallet before.’

Dealing with various unreal situations in the game seemed easier.

I planned to start by picking up the kids to have a talk, but beyond that, it felt daunting.

I still didn’t intend to tell the twins about the game.

Seeing the outgoing call log left on Jonghun’s phone, my resolve only strengthened.

‘It’s better not to tell.’

The problem here was how to convince them of the necessity of leaving them alone for more than a few months.

In the past several years, my life revolved around the twins.

Thus, leaving them alone was unthinkable.

If not for this game, it would never have happened.

‘Explaining or persuading is off the table.’

Without an explanation or persuasion, how could they understand?

All I could do now was suppress their opposition with the authority of an older brother.

Damned System