Damned System

Chapter 69. Reunion and Meeting (1)

「The affiliation is being activated.」

The moment I stepped into a pure white space, a message appeared along with something above my head.

It was a white 3D image that resembled a small globe.

‘I wondered why there was an affiliation.’

It turned out it was information needed on the Bihar server, not about Earth.

I looked up at the top with narrowed eyes.

According to the reviews posted in the community, the symbol couldn’t be hidden nor discarded.

Due to this, I had a feeling that there must be a particular reason why the system fixed that symbol in place.

If it can’t be hidden, perhaps it signifies that it’s both a badge and a brand marking an Outsider.

‘Maybe it’s to prevent any trouble caused by hiding one’s identity.’

Of course, it’s just my speculation. For now, there’s no way to confirm it.

‘Does it not disappear even in Invisibility mode?’

Then there’d be no point in buying the skill.

‘Let’s check it later.’

I took my gaze off the symbol and looked around the white-dominated place.

It reminded me of the tutorial space.

The kind of space that would linger vividly in my memory even days, weeks, months, or years ahead.

‘Why must it be the same white?’

A little more color wouldn’t hurt, so why the obsession with white?

I frowned and checked the newly opened system window.

「Main Scenario: Would you like to read the Opening Tale? (Y/N)」

The system window, sticking out against the white background, was excessively conspicuous.

It was as if they painted the surroundings white to highlight the system window.

“Tsk.”

I clicked ‘yes,’ clicking my tongue shortly.

Then, the same phenomenon as last time occurred.

My vision turned pitch black, and a scene began to unfold.

However, the content was slightly different. Scenes designed to stimulate the player’s greed, as I requested, had been inset.

‘A bit better.’

After finishing the scenario reading, I nodded lightly.

Especially the ending deserved quite a decent score.

The video ended with a scene where, as the player opened a massive door in front of them, a burst of golden light poured in.

It was a directing choice that aroused curiosity and anticipation about what lay beyond.

It shifted from simply urging players into battle to nudging their adventurous spirit and greed.

‘If it’s this good, some folks might actively participate.’

After viewing the revised main scenario, a basic explanation time for players began.

A book large enough to match my torso appeared.

‘Play Guide.’

Starting from the first page, it mentioned the origins of the seven gods and an introduction to each order.

The next section contained information on the buffs provided by each order.

‘The buffs vary by order.’

Temoria provides defensive skills free of charge, while Agnotia offers equipment based on a player’s rank, with a variety of buffs available.

And Palao?

‘10% increase in attack power.’

A slightly ambiguous expression compared to other buffs.

For now, the exact application of it wasn’t entirely clear.

But the idea of increased attack power wasn’t bad.

Given the shortage of firepower at the start, physical strength must suffice.

A buff tempting enough for common damage dealers.

‘Thanks to the content I posted in my guide, once they verify what the attack power means, many players may flock to Palao…’

Considering that Palao was said to have been extinguished, this was reassuring enough.

Gathering them up initially using an attack power buff would temporarily ease pressing concerns.

Once a faction is chosen, it’s not easily changed.

‘Switching factions requires achievements worth a whopping thousand.’

Achievements, which seemed pointless before, were gradually making their appearance.

‘Changing gate entrances and switching orders.’

After organizing the uses for achievements revealed so far, I reviewed the buffs associated with the orders anew.

The support from the orders increases as the player’s level rises.

‘The stages are up to five…’

A formal player rank indicator appeared in my status window, and I’m currently in the bronze rank.

‘Advancing to silver requires… 100,000 Mana.’

To break it down, the players’ levels are categorized based on Mana thresholds.

And enlisted players receive differentiated authority depending on their level.

But even that requires the preliminary work of gathering the fragments of authority through missions related to the order, and the actual power seems to be in a downgraded form.

In essence, players who reach higher levels receive better treatment.

Additionally, a feature allowing the opening of status windows has been introduced.

One can choose to hide information they don’t want to reveal.

This means players can now prove their stats to others.

‘This doesn’t differ much from the feedback in the community.’

Indicating that most of the information is what players will naturally come to know.

‘The one who posted this likely didn’t gain much Reputation.’

From my experience, this is clear. Information that becomes known over time tends to earn scant recognition.

‘Though it’s better than doing nothing.’

A dust-even accumulation feels worthwhile when it piles up.

The system-granted Reputation is a measure distinguishing the weight of the information.

The one who posted the feedback likely didn’t realize that, hence listing everything so meticulously.

The implication of this trend was clear.

‘Everyone is actively moving to accumulate Reputation.’

There’s even someone who copied and pasted my guidebook and posted it anew, so that says it all.

I’d be lying if I didn’t admit feeling frustrated seeing it, but what could I do?

Spending time tracking down someone whose whereabouts are unknown would only be a waste.

All I could do was memorize the codename and plan to repay the favor later.

I checked the list of codenames listed in a private document posted only for personal viewing, then reviewed the remaining content in the play guide.

A series of information necessary for Bihar appeared one by one, followed by the final page.

There emerged a half-darkened map with a blackened left section.

‘This all represents the corrupted zones.’

Lands no longer habitable, seized by monsters.

‘It seems like about 70 or 80 percent…’

A significant portion of the map was blackened, the so-called corrupted zones being that vast.

The faint echo of Rashar’s voice explaining that many nations had fallen resounded in my mind before subsiding.

Considering the tasks ahead made me swallow a naturally induced sigh.

But wallowing in a sense of deprivation changes nothing if we sit idle.

I looked away from the corrupted zones to check the remaining colored part on the eastern edge.

In it were unfamiliar characters alongside three shimmering circles.

These are the foremost cities closest to the monster-dominated corrupted zones.

North’s Viceta, central’s Loborre, and south’s Habon.

「Please select a base.」

This map was straightforward in displaying the intentions for the player.

Don’t idle in safe zones but go hunting in perilous places.

Though selecting one doesn’t limit movement between bases.

Even if starting in Habon, I could head to central Loborre to hunt anytime.

It’s merely about selecting the main stage for activity.

Clicking on a base provides a simple explanation to assist in the choice.

Information such as the geographic features, dominant orders, culture, cuisine, and climate appears.

Regardless of the information, my selection was predetermined.

I firmly pressed one of the three dots.

「Would you like to be transferred to Habon? (Y/N)」

Yes.

“Welcome to Habon!”

MISSION

「Main Scenario Act 1, chapter 1: Qualification Proof」

We cannot accept those lacking even the minimum qualifications into the orders. Accumulate 10,000 Mana to prove your qualification.

「Completion Reward」

•MISSION Main Scenario Act 1, chapter 2: Initiation Test

「Congratulations! You have successfully completed MISSION – Main Scenario Chapter 1, act 1: Qualification Proof!」

MISSION

「Main Scenario Act 1, chapter 2: Initiation Test」

You have proven your qualification. Visit the temple of the desired order and undertake the initiation test.

「Completion Reward」

•Mark of the Order

•Support from the Order: All tangible and intangible means of support the order can provide, such as equipment, settlement funds.

The fact that a mission appeared the moment one entered the chosen base was already noted in subsequent reviews.

‘Accumulate 10,000 Mana.’

Would this count as the least qualification?

‘It implies they won’t support even those who cannot gather 10,000 Mana before perishing.’

While I arrived comfortably by bus, gathering 10,000 Mana isn’t easy.

At least three Level 3 missions need to be completed, at a bare minimum.

That too is based on solo play estimations.

If in a party play, the burden multiplies by the number of people.

Moreover, the speed varies based on the presence or absence of an inherent Purification Trait.

The Gammas will likely need to earn double compared to me.

‘Though, that’s not my concern.’

You can only choose your faction after completing Act 1 Chapter 1 mission, but since I’ve already surpassed 10,000 Mana, the mission was cleared immediately upon appearing.

Now, I just need to go to the temple and choose the order to affiliate with.

‘All temples, except for the headquarters, should house all seven orders.’

According to conversations with Greg while hunting monsters, it’s the essential condition for temple construction.

Believers should be able to visit any god wherever they need help.

‘Even a follower of the God of Humility may wish to pray to the Goddess of Charity occasionally.’

For this reason, every city is obligated to have a temple, and smaller villages are encouraged to at least have prayer rooms.

Habon is considerably a large fort; it has a properly built temple aside from small-scale prayer rooms in the headquarters.

Clarifying additional available information, this temple serves as a kind of disarmament zone.

‘In other words, a safe zone.’

In the temple, it was impossible to engage in physical contact with others.

Isn’t the reason obvious?

‘Only 3 gates connect to Earth.’

Unless using the Hole, there’s a 1/3 chance of pinpointing a player’s location.

What would have happened without this setup in such a situation?

‘PK might have become rampant at the gate’s front, too.’

As proof, eyes focused on me immediately when I crossed the gate.

Players who chose Habon as their base were scattered around the gate.

People hovered, wondering if there was any information to be mined.

Others gathered, organizing teams for party plays.

Some stiffened nervously, keenly aware of the surrounding gazes.

All of them fixed a watchful gaze upon me as I newly entered.

‘No one wishes to be stabbed the moment they cross the gate.’

Given that you become surrounded by an unspecified majority instantly upon entering Bihar, a disarmament feature is indeed mandatory.

The system designated safe zones out of concern for this aspect.

I tried deploying Mana Detection for confirmation but it was futile.

‘I can’t use the skill at all.’

I abandoned Mana Detection and inspected the surroundings with the naked eye.

Due to the damned game’s tendency not to provide even basic geography, everything had to be discerned independently.

‘Indeed, there’s nothing impressive about it.’

It made no sense; how they wouldn’t provide a map after dropping you in an unfamiliar place.

Despite grumbling silently, I continued scrutinizing my surroundings.

‘Start with the World Tree Statue.’

A symbol signifying harmony among the seven gods and their respective orders.

Above the World Tree Statue floated a massive white orb about 2 meters in diameter.

‘That’s the gate.’

This damn system seems to have an obsession with the color white.

I clicked my tongue briefly before turning around.

Opposite the World Tree Statue was a grandiose arch.

A flimsy, almost useless low fence was set up alongside it, beyond which a significant throng of people could be seen.

‘Bihar’s residents…’

Briefly, I observed the people grouped in unfamiliar outfits.

Gazing beyond the World Tree again, I scrutinized the surroundings.

The seven paths extended from the statue, each marked with different insignias, surrounded by lush greenery.

Among them, I found the desired insignia and proceeded forward.

‘Here it is.’

Among the seven divided paths stood an illustration of a faceless woman.

Her outstretched wings seemed to encase and protect something in the emblem she bore.

‘Palao.’

Staring down at the somewhat familiar yet still strange symbol, I stepped onto the brick-paved path.

I felt eyes sticking onto my back like glue.

But instead of looking back, I silently moved forward.

Eventually, a large structure in a ‘ㄷ’ shape unfolded before me, its scale was quite substantial.

Momentarily speechless at the sight that filled my view, I just stood there.

In front of the building stood a statue identical to Palao’s emblem.

Pausing before it, while looking up at the faceless woman’s statue, a peculiar feeling arose.

Damned System.