The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

‘Hmm. Where am I…?’

Raul found himself in what appeared to be an ordinary home, enveloped in light. The unique aspect was that it resembled an apartment from Earth, not a typical Connect dwelling.

“…Could I have arrived on Earth?”

Raul, with a curious thought, reached out for the electric rice cooker before him. But it was merely an illusion—a hologram. Not everything was fake, though.

The refrigerator, gas stove, and fan were functional items.

‘They look like ordinary items but function using magic circles?’

The items exuded an air of sophistication. Likely because they were handcrafted by an artisan, not mass-produced in a factory.

“What do you think? Do they resemble the real items?”

A small silhouette of a black-haired boy appeared before Raul.

“Who are you…?”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Jay, the artificial intelligence in charge of Connect.”

Jay’s semi-transparent form seemed like a projection from illusion magic.

“Jay?”

Raul tilted his head, then seemed to recall something and asked.

“Is the AI administrator not just one entity? I remember the system administrator that responded to the call was named D.”

A while back, after the initial connection to Earth, label had summoned a system administrator named D. Raul remembered the unfriendly administrator who responded like a macro script and extorted coins.

“Oh dear, I apologize for that incident. My younger brother’s prank was excessive. And to answer your question, yes and no. There is only one AI, but it operates with multiple personalities for efficient system management.”

Raul chuckled. While the coins were a small loss, it had allowed him to establish First Company on Earth.

“So, why was I brought here? Nothing seems particularly special.”

Although Earth-style appliances and furniture stood out, Raul couldn’t see their connection to the Core Room.

“You were brought here at the request of the Connect system’s creator and our father, Lee Changhyuk. Also, it’s to transfer complete control of the system to you.”

“Lee Changhyuk? Was he from Korea?”

“Yes, you’re well-informed. Father instructed us to bring the Controller with both Master Keys to the Core Room. This way, please….”

Jay guided Raul towards a door beyond the living room.

“This is Father’s study. We don’t know what’s inside.”

Click.

The door opened, and Raul slowly entered the room.

‘Oh my…’

The study was filled with personal touches reflecting the owner’s thoughts and feelings. The room was filled with models of Earth objects not found here, along with haphazardly scattered game cartridges that appeared to be handmade.

A chalkboard hung on one side of the room, covered in chaotic programming languages and a bold inscription: “Must return home.”

There was an inexplicable pang of sorrow in Raul’s chest. On the desk stationed at the center of the study. A book made of rough paper lay there.

‘A diary…?’

Curious, Raul opened the book and began to read its contents.

– The whole country is caught up in the excitement of the World Cup, but there’s no time for me to enjoy soccer. The release of the game I’ve been developing for years is imminent.

– This project must succeed. If not for anyone else, then for my three-year-old son, Jaehyun.

– How could this happen! Returning from an all-nighter at work in the early morning, the ground suddenly gave way, and I fell with my car into somewhere unknown. When I came to, a giant golden dragon, taller than a mountain, was before my eyes. I thought it was a ridiculous dream and fainted again.

– It took two weeks for me to accept reality. Another world! Why did this happen to me?

– I had to return at all costs. My three-year-old son, Jaehyun, had no one to care for him. His mother had died giving birth to him, and being an orphan myself, I had no family to turn to. Although I had hired a nanny, could she care for Jaehyun in my absence?

– I learned magic from the Dragon Lord and about the world called Connect from the three sages. Through the priest from the temple, I studied divine powers and divine magic.

– I received a divine revelation. In my dreams, Connect and Earth’s future unfolded like reality. Despite resenting the so-called god who brought me here, I had to make a decision. If a gate opens to Earth while it’s undefended, Earth will be annihilated in no time. And that would include my son as well….

– I got along well with Borista (the Dragon Lord). Accepting his proposal, I began creating the ‘Connect System’ that could open a passage to Earth. Although there were concerns about time distortion or phase shifts during the dimensional connection, it didn’t matter. I had to return to Earth.

Raul’s heart felt heavy.

The entries that followed were scattered, filled with the man’s despair, anticipation, resentment, and hope. And a significant part of the diary was filled with apologies to the child he had left alone on Earth.

He himself had grown up an orphan, and the guilt of turning his own child into one seemed to choke his heart. Nearing the end of the diary, Raul read on.

– I finally completed the prototype for the Connect system. What remains are the massive energy supply needed to run the system, the material procurement for avatar production, and linking to Earth!

– Dragons were truly remarkable. Borista managed to estimate Earth’s coordinates just from traces left in my body. We secured the energy needed for the system with hearts from deceased dragons. Their corpses would serve as the foundation for avatar production.

– Why! Why must it be like this!

– Everything in the world seemed so unfair. We succeeded in connecting the dimensional passage, but I couldn’t return.

– I had long known something was wrong with my body. A normal human body couldn’t just become translucent. Having crossed a dimensional passage once, my body was as fragile as a candle about to go out.

– I sought another way. I entrusted the child to White, who was heading to Earth. But a contingency plan was necessary in case he couldn’t be found.

– Borista’s end was nearing. Gratefully, he offered his final strength for me. I transferred a fragment of my soul into the second Master Key. This hastened my own end, but what did it matter?

– I designed the Master Key to look like a game cartridge because it was my son Jaehyun’s favorite thing at home. I hoped he might remember me just a little.

– With the Lord’s power and the priest’s blessing, I sent the second Master Key across dimensions. I can only hope fate will guide it to my son.

– If someone is reading this diary, it means you have obtained the second Master Key I yearned for so much.

– I implore you to find my son Jaehyun. If you meet him, please convey this:

His father never abandoned him. I’m so sorry and I love him dearly….

As Raul read the closing sentence of the diary, a magic circle engraved on the last page activated, flooding his mind with all the information Changhyuk remembered about his son.

Tears streamed unbidden from Raul’s eyes.

What did those tears signify?

*

Click.

After a long while, Raul emerged from the study.

“You’ve returned, master.”

Acknowledged now as the true master of the Connect system, Jay bowed to Raul.

“Take me to the real control room.”

“Understood.”

As the front door opened, a completely different scene came into view. An observatory deck overlooking a massive hangar, reminiscent of an airport control tower, welcomed him.

Beyond the windows, the massive body of a gold dragon was visible.

“That is the remains of the Lord Borista.”

Jay’s comment was unnecessary; Raul instantly recognized it. The various magic circles inscribed on the dragon’s body and the spears stuck into it were connected to strange machines spread across a wide plaza.

“The machines are currently inactive, but these are the avatar production devices. When Earthlings Connect through the capsules, their souls are infused into avatars produced here and transported across the continent.”

‘So, this was the source that made Connect seem like a game.’

Real bodies, not virtual ones, were being created here, filled with souls. Raul could hardly imagine how such a device could be built.

On the other side of the dragon’s remains was a structure resembling a temple, encircling something large.

‘That’s the massive magic circle that ended the ancient continental wars!’

The relic that had once blasted away Connect’s mana with divine power lay dormant here. Raul walked to the central control panel, taking in the sights.

“You’ve probably been briefed by Father, but now you must make a decision. If things remain as they are, the Connect system won’t last much longer.”

The creator Lee Changhyuk left behind not only the memory of his son but also the true purpose of the Connect system and what it could do.

The Connect system wasn’t just a system linking players of Connect and Earth. That was just its superficial function. What it truly was, was a planetary management system capable of interfering with the dimensional barriers enveloping the planet Connect.

After the ancient continental wars ended.

While the Dark Dragon Mavliones used humans to establish an empire. Lord Borista, in collaboration with the temple, worked to clean up the remnants of gates scattered across the continent.

Forbidden zones were established, and the demons’ gates were sealed. Since then, there had been ongoing attempts by the empire to break the seals and the conflict with guardians and descendants of the Lord who sought to maintain them.

However, the mana blasted away was bound to return gradually, and the Connect system was prepared as the ultimate measure in response. A control system utilizing the massive magic circle, the scattered seals across the continent, the corpses of dragons, and even divine powers was developed.

‘So it was intentional that the gates appeared primarily in the kingdom’s territory rather than the empire’s.’

This caused considerable early damage to the kingdoms, but it was a necessary decision. In the empire, adept at handling demonic energy, gate monsters could be controlled.

Empire marquises were a prime example of that. The gates were strategically placed in the kingdoms to promote the growth of players arriving from Earth.

Now, with all scenarios completed. Much of the Connect system’s energy was being used to block the gates targeting the Connect planet. But there was a limit to thwarting all invasion attempts.

The Tower of the Demon Realm was the result. As the Connect system’s defenses were breached, the suppressed energy created high-level gates. And now the Connect system awaited Raul’s decision.

“Sigh.”

Raul let out a deep sigh as a message from the Connect system appeared before him.

-The invasion energy from the dimensional gates will soon exceed Connect system’s energy.

-The stored energy is being depleted, and the system will eventually cease to operate.

-A decision must be made by the Controller before the energy reserves are exhausted.

-Two options are proposed.

-Firstly.

Use all energy to sever Connect from all dimensions. In this scenario, no more gates will form, and the Connect planet will exist entirely on its own.

The mana quantity will remain unchanged, unaffected by external forces, and the inhabitants of Connect may enjoy lasting peace.

-Secondly.

Do not resist the natural flow and accept the dimensional energy. In this case, gates will form more actively than ever before.

However, the stored energy and dimensional energy will be utilized to create a buffer barrier around Connect planet. The barrier will act as a safeguard, restricting the power and activities of those crossing through the dimensional gates.

However, please note.

In this case, the energy from dimensions that have not yet been contacted may also flow in.

-What will be your choice, controller?

Raul closed his eyes, reflecting on everything that had happened.

The life of Bae Dohyun in his previous incarnation.

The life of Raul in this one.

The countless relationships he had formed and the people he needed to protect in the future. And the pull of destiny that had led him to this moment. Deciding, Raul opened his eyes, a firm resolve glimmering in his golden irises.

“My choice is….”

*

“A magic transmission has arrived from the U. S. branch.”

The bustling situation room fell silent.

A man, who was monitoring a world map marked with various symbols, turned to the communication officer. Though his face was weary, his eyes remained sharp—it was Ilwoo.

“Report.”

“Yes, sir. The liberation operation attempted in Los Angeles at 00:00 on the 17th… failed. During the operation, a newly emerged A-rank gate….”

Ilwoo shut his eyes tightly.

‘Even there….’

The room was engulfed in a somber mood upon receiving the bad news. The world map dominating the front of the room was mostly covered in red, indicating monster-controlled territories.

It had been three years since the connection with Connect had been severed. Humanity was still struggling. Though they had prepared, the sudden disappearance of most national leaders led to unavoidable chaos.

Moreover, as the mana levels increased, human technology reliant on electricity was gradually becoming obsolete. One silver lining was that rapid plant growth prevented food shortages.

‘The reduced population likely plays a role as well.’

Traditional technology was being replaced by new magical methods. While still in its early stages, generators utilizing mana stones had been developed.

However, the speed at which gates appeared and the rate of encroachment far outpaced humanity’s adaptation.

The zones fortified by First Company’s shelters and their ‘Gate Formation Prevention Stones’ were the only places still somewhat safely under human control.

Despite their attempts to counterattack, failures were mounting.

‘At this rate, we’re in danger. Unless something significant changes, eventually….’

Ilwoo shook his head, trying to dismiss the negative thoughts lingering in his mind. He was the leader of the Awakener organization, Guardians, and a role model for all Awakeners.

He couldn’t afford to show disappointment or despair.

Clap, clap.

“Well, everyone, it’s too early to be disheartened! With the intel gathered this time, we can definitely try again and succeed…. Huh?”

For some reason, Ilwoo stopped mid-sentence while trying to encourage his team. His eyes had landed on someone who shouldn’t be there, causing them to widen in disbelief.

“How have you been managing? Still working hard, I see.”

“H-how are you here…?”

As the smiling figure’s hand touched Ilwoo’s shoulder.

– It’s good to see you again, Player Kim Ilwoo.

– The Connect system has been updated. Would you like to reconnect?

– END –

The first serialization began on May 22 of last year.

Somehow, I ended up concluding this work exactly one year to the day.

Thanks to the support, encouragement, and advice from my readers, I was able to reach the destination of completion safely.

There are many regrets and stories left untold, but I want to leave the remaining parts to your imagination.

I’ll take a break and plan a better work to greet you all again in the future.

Heartfelt thanks to all the readers who journeyed with me, and I hope only the brightest paths unfold ahead for you all.

$공$금$

TL’s Corner:
This chapter marks the end of The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player.
I feel a bit bittersweet about this.
The novel ended in a high note in my opinion. The author left the ending open-ended, which I don’t dislike.
I liked the ending very much, with Raul traveling to Earth.

This novel would be the first novel I have completed.
Thank you readers for your support!!!

Special thanks to FenrirTL for believing in me and allowing me to post this novel on his website.
And to Rik, who is helping me edit and fix the inconsistencies in my translation.