Damned System

Chapter 73. Reunion and Meeting (5)

As I journeyed towards Senoa’s temple, I calmly organized my thoughts.

It seemed the Palao order had limited the number of incoming players.

And what could that mean?

‘Quality over quantity.’

Palao had opted for a small elite group.

Enhancing a person’s mana by a certain percentage was not in the same realm as simply gifting a few thousand mana through a skill or an item.

‘It’d be difficult to give such buffs to everyone without limit.’

Thus, limiting the number and focusing on nurturing elite troops made sense.

At least some materialization would be needed to cut down the threat of the black wood in Dongpyeong.

‘Frankly, it’s not easy.’

It’s not to brag, but based on unofficial statistical inferences.

There was a time when a poll was conducted in the community during server maintenance.

A post had emerged with the title, aiming to see the average level of the players.

‘About 4,000 people participated.’

More than half of the players who could use the community participated.

With such a ratio, it wasn’t unreasonable to assume there was some basic reliability.

However, among those 4,000, fewer than 400 claimed they could materialize.

‘You can see it just by comparing Ethan and Yang Hyewon.’

Ethan’s proficiency in mana manipulation remained around 30%.

Moving onto the condensation stage required significant mental strength, unlike me, already surpassing the mist stage.

Yang Hyewon also grasped it within a day or two and used it in practice almost immediately, reaching a proficiency of 20% already.

Considering a gap of three months between the two, it was an incredulous speed.

It’s evident, thus, that it’s not a simple task.

‘Handling mana depends more on talent than effort.’

Staying materialized enough to cut down objects in Dongpyeong, in section 10,000, requires talent.

In conclusion, Palao’s side declared they’d only nurture those with talent.

Of course, this was entirely my conjecture.

The Palao order might have limited entrants for different reasons.

I confirmed with Hemar, but I didn’t receive a satisfactory answer.

But there was no need for disappointment. I knew someone who could provide a definite answer.

‘Let’s meet Rashar.’

An official Palao’s apostle, reportedly within the top ten rankings within the order.

She would know much more than the uneducated Hemar.

‘Before that, I should visit other order temples.’

The first place I arrived at was the Temple of Humility.

Like the Palao temple, some casually visited, not attracting particular attention.

I quietly toured each order’s temple.

Then, I realized something.

‘Why aren’t they leaving?’

Players stood still in front of the gate and the image of the World Tree.

Those who were around when I entered Bihar were still in the same spot.

I wondered if they couldn’t leave, so I approached the arch.

Beyond the soldiers backing the World’s Tree image, a sizable crowd gathered.

Based on their appearance, they weren’t from Earth, but residents of Bihar.

I surveyed their faces and stepped outside the arch.

‘I can come out, though.’

The crowd was larger than it seemed from inside.

People outside looked at me with curious, wary eyes.

Instinctively, I frowned, feeling like an animal in a zoo.

‘Are they afraid to come out because of this?’

Perhaps, they feared stepping out of the safe zone.

After briefly glancing at the players inside the temple, I surveyed the surrounding residents of Bihar, then stepped forward to speak.

“Excuse me.”

I intended to ask for directions to the Resistance headquarters.

Yet, my mere opening of mouth caused the crowd to recoil backward.

Moses’ miracle seemed evident as the crowd parted towards me.

“…….”

Am I a disease? For them to avoid me?

As I expelled a bewildered chuckle, I noticed a presence behind me.

Amid the retreating crowd, there was a tiny child who approached and reached near my thigh.

The child’s attire—short shorts and a loose t-shirt—looked vaguely human-like.

But the swinging tail behind and the pointy triangular ears atop their head distinguished them from humans.

Their hair with striped patterns was also vibrantly multicolored.

It was clear the child was a demi-human and began to circle around me stealthily.

‘They resemble a cat.’

Their behavior reminded me of a cat.

With orange and black-striped ears, head, and tail, they also resembled a tiger.

The demi-human child, with gray-mixed blue eyes, curiously observed me.

I lowered myself, activating Mana Detection I couldn’t employ in the temple.

“Huh…….”

I released a sigh of disbelief because I couldn’t accurately read the young one’s mana.

While faint mana registered, pinpointing its size was impossible.

‘I maxed out the proficiency to 100 while on Earth, bringing it to Level 2…….’

Yet, even then, it was unreadable?

A technique that had managed to read people like Rashar?

‘Does this kid have more mana than Rashar?’

If so, that meant this seemingly small child watching me was stronger than Rashar.

‘There might be another reason.’

Contrary to my inability to speak from a loss of words, the child continued circling me.

At times, they even came closer to poke me with their finger.

‘Fearless?’

Could their inherent high mana grant them such fearlessness? This kid didn’t shy away, even from someone they didn’t know.

With a mental sigh, I finally asked.

“Hey, little one. Do you know where the Resistance headquarters is?”

The child, sniffing in my scent with a twitching pink nose, nodded promptly.

“Yes.”

I wasn’t surprised the conversation flowed because I had let go of many common-sense aspects.

With a deep breath, I looked around, but no guardians were present.

Every capable adult maintained their distance, treating me like a contagion.

Result? The only one to ask was this little one.

‘Just the direction.’

It’s better to get guided as a novice, but taking a little child was unthinkable.

Getting prosecuted for kidnapping could entirely derail my plans.

‘I must avoid being the first Outsider to be arrested.’

It was crucial to remain cautious as the kid was clearly not human.

‘Better safe than sorry.’

So, I merely intended to ask for directions.

“Which way?”

The child, who had tilted their head curiously, suddenly spoke up.

“Follow me!”

“No, just the direction…… Hey!”

Before I could stop them, the little one started running with surprising speed for a child’s stride.

Without deliberation, I quickly pursued them.

The speed was nearly unbelievable for a child.

Within moments, they had already distanced themselves.

Additionally, they hopped onto the rooftops of the buildings.

After about 10 minutes of inconceivable running?

The child pointed to a spot.

“There, there!”

The place was familiar. The building I had visited with Rashar to meet Greg.

Even after reaching the destination, I looked at the child with perplexed eyes.

With the tip of its tail curved like a question mark, the child looked at me with a wide smile.

Due to the unexpected company and the spectacle I had just witnessed, I had many things to say.

“…… Thanks. Now go back.”

However, I opted to send them back without engaging in a lengthy conversation.

“No!”

The issue was that this child showed no intention of listening to me.

After enduring an utterly pointless argument, the wasted time became frustrating.

Ultimately, I decided to resolve my initial purpose for coming here.

I approached the only available main gate through which entry to the headquarters could be made.

‘The kid won’t follow inside.’

They would naturally return to where they came from.

As I drew closer to the gate, two men guarding it eyed me conspicuously.

Behind me, the demi-human child peeped out from behind my leg, having tagged along.

Noticing the little one following, I mentally sighed and addressed the guards.

“Excuse me.”

But no sooner had I begun speaking than the metal gate swung open.

“To meet Rashar Bennett, she resides here…….”

Mentioning my purpose, I abruptly left the sentence unfinished.

Even before I could finish my sentence, a carriage exiting the gate made a sudden halt.

“K?”

Soon after, a familiar face popped out through the roughly opened door of the carriage.

‘Hesserma Rivel.’

Of all people to run into, why him?

If I was to meet someone, it would have been better if it was Raul or Rodwell.

‘That guy seemed like he wanted attention.’

Having spent only a few days with him, I already perceived Hesserma’s inclination towards vanity and display.

His fondness for hem-and-haw, his penchant for boasting about the favors he offered.

It wasn’t a certainty, but enough to spark suspicion.

‘It’s not a type I would find pleasant.’

Not being someone I would joyously greet, I offered a casual nod and a greeting.

Unlike me, however, Hesserma was all smiles.

“So, you came!”

“It’s been a while.”

“Have you been well?”

“Yes, I’ve managed.”

“What brings you to the headquarters…… Ah, are you here to see the Division Commander?”

“No, I came to see Rashar Bennett.”

“Sir Bennett? She is on leave and is currently away…….”

“Leave?”

“Indeed, due to order matters. The Division Commander is busy because of that as well.”

I had come to the resistance side as he wasn’t at the temple, but it seemed this was yet another wasted effort.

‘Should I go back to the temple?’

If I head back and wait, eventually, I’d come across her.

‘Though it would indeed waste much time.’

If not returning to the temple, at least exploring Forthabone can help familiarize myself with the terrain.

While mulling over my choices, Hesserma spoke again.

“Considering our acquaintance, how about joining me for a meal at my manor?”

I needed to consciously maintain composure to avoid frowning at the suggestion.

‘Manor…….’

That single word reminded me of Rashar’s story before meeting Greg.

– Rivel? Hesserma Rivel?

– Yes, sir Greg Tembon’s sister married into the Rivel Viscount family.

Hesserma was the Division Commander’s nephew. But going to dine at his mansion?

‘It’s likely to entwine with Temoria.’

Alma mater, connection, and kinship.

These three usual sets are universal connecting points, applicable almost anywhere.

It wouldn’t be much different even in a new world.

“Thank you for the invitation, but I must postpone it. I need to meet Rashar Bennett first.”

Fortunately, Hesserma didn’t press further once I declined.

“Then let me escort you to Lady Bennett’s estate.”

Instead, he offered to take me to Rashar.

‘Her place as well?’

It was almost a choice similar to returning to the temple.

Waiting there would eventually create an opportunity to meet.

Once her business was concluded, she’d certainly return home.

‘However, it might be better to avoid entangling with him and just head back to the temple.’

Deciding on that, I was about to speak when a light weight climbed up from my leg to my waist, then to my side, before making its way to my shoulder.

“I know that place too!”