NOVEL WEB Chapter 172
The camera captured a woman.
“Ha ha.”
It was Andri, perpetually ranked third in individual rankings, and a second-generation player. Her unique ability was ‘Giant’s Step.’
“It’s like a sandcastle. When you step on it, the mud just spreads out between your toes.”
She walked along the top of the Colosseum arena as if she were balancing on a tightrope, arms crossed. Several gleaming piercings adorned her ears, and a rose tattoo peeked from beneath the collar of her floral shirt. Her smile was sinister, seductive, and mean.
“If I knew it was this insignificant, I would have crushed it sooner.”
The once magnificent Colosseum was being systematically destroyed from the edges. As the great structure of ancient Rome was trampled underfoot, the system’s dominance seemed to diminish. A member of Red Monarch, following Andri, captured this scene for the broadcast.
***
Blance, the head of our operation, diligently kept me informed each time our allies destroyed an arena. Just now, he reported that the Colosseum of the Battle Arena had been obliterated by Andri, a second-generation player.
“I’ll have Andri and the Red Monarch guild members stand by. We’ve secured an extra camera for filming.”
Blance, a formidable enemy, was indeed a reliable ally.
Not only I, but all the characters were scattered. We continued to gather more allies, spreading out like a spider web.
During this process, Akata became my dedicated cameraman, and the remaining Red Monarch guild members filmed as needed. We used the status window’s communication and messaging functions to update each other on our progress and exchange opinions with Blance remotely. Blance was slightly displeased with this.
“If this continues, the enemies will see our plan clearly.”
“They probably already have. How could we hide from the system’s eyes?”
I answered nonchalantly, setting up the status window to be displayed on the broadcast screen as well. If it was going to be exposed to the GMs anyway, it was better to reveal everything to the viewers and make it part of the content. This way, the GMs couldn’t openly spy on our plans.
“There’s interference coming in.”
Feeling a manipulation of the status window, I plopped down on a bench in the middle of the corridor. I opened the status window on my laptop, acting as if I was deeply focused. Akata kept watch nearby.
It seemed that the system, or rather Mijon, had finally snapped back to attention.
[The function to apply for visits to other guilds has been locked.]
Blance, quick to assess the situation, called swiftly before the communication function could also be disabled.
“The system is blocking the status window, so from now on, it’s every man for himself-.”
“Wait, let me try to unlock it.”
“…?”
Let’s see. I dramatically cracked my knuckles and stretched my neck.
Here we go, a battle of command codes with the GMs.
But don’t worry. I practiced typing like a court reporter during my stay at Han Nayeon’s house just for moments like this.
“Blance, did you hear my speech earlier? How do you think I’ve been able to survive and come back alive all this time? I’ve successfully hacked the system.”
I deliberately used the word “hacking” in front of Akata. Having become a creation with abilities akin to the creator’s, it was necessary to drop hints about the backstory so viewers could understand and follow along. With just this clue, the viewers would surely interpret why I was able to survive.
“Hacking? Could you explain that to me as well?”
“Sorry, it’s a trade secret~.”
Blance showed interest and asked, but I kept my mouth shut without further explanation. It was better that neither viewers nor GMs knew we had escaped the system’s control into the real world.
I cheekily diverted the conversation and abruptly cut off the communication.
‘Come to think of it, I’m curious. What kind of person was I in reality that I ended up being reborn as a character with memories of the real world? Will I find out the cause of this once this is all over?’
While devising plans to counter the system in the real world, I had also put in a lot of effort to discover my true identity. However, my memories were woefully inadequate to provide any clues about my identity.
‘Maybe if I ask the GMs during negotiations, they might tell me the answer?’
For a moment, I considered this, but then I shook my head.
Refocusing, I began working on the command code to restore the status window function.
***
Real World
[Live Broadcast of Rudel’s Revolutionary Army]
[13:00 – 20% of Arena Surpassed]
‘Watching the Colosseum crumble is so satisfying…’
‘I don’t understand what’s happening, but it looks cool.’
‘Rudel is a god.’
‘This is kinda scary… Is this okay?’
‘Mijon is just letting this happen. Is this also part of the content?’
‘Mijon is incredible… making game characters seem like real people.’
‘It feels like the fourth wall has been broken.’
‘Gives me chills.’
‘Looks like admin NPCs are being released now.’
‘Right, we need some interference.’
‘But in the end, the revolutionaries will win, right?’
‘Isn’t this system interference just a setup?’
‘If they really intend to suppress all the game characters, what’s the point of the last round?’
‘Exactly, it’s all part of the staging.’
‘Rudel flanked by Shemarin and Akata starting the last round. Seriously, it’s so damn epic.’
‘But what happens after this last round ends…?’
‘The game planners will take over from there, right?’
‘Won’t it get boring?’
‘So, will the AIs plan the game, and Mijon just kick back and rake in the money?’
‘That feels a bit off.’
‘Or will it just go in the direction of the system winning?’
‘If the system captures all the characters and erases their memories, it’ll feel so bleak…’
‘I still don’t understand why Mijon initiated the last round.’
‘How will this conclude?’
Once the status window was restored, communication requests started pouring in from all sides.
“The admins are trying to capture us!”
“Those faceless bastards, how dare they…!”
“Were they always this strong?”
The system finally seemed to have come to its senses. Admin NPCs, who had previously maintained a neutral stance, were now actively being deployed to suppress the rebellion.
Ways to neutralize the admins… I hadn’t overlooked this.
I immediately called Blance for advice.
“Blance, is Hon from the ‘Fairy’ guild the strongest electric user among players?”
“Yes, his output, precision, and resistance stats are estimated to be B+, B+, and A respectively-.”
“Never mind that! What does Hon like the most? What do I need to persuade him?”
Blance, knowing all sorts of unnecessary TMI, would surely know how to persuade Hon.
“He likes to show his strength. Bring a strong ally.”
“Oh, really?”
“It means if you go alone, you’ll fail.”
I pretended not to hear that and abruptly ended the call.
About ten minutes later, I, along with Jail, Shemarin, and Akata, arrived at a cute fortress enveloped in lush green leaves.
The reason we needed Hon for this operation was simple: his abilities were perfect for dealing with admin NPCs. According to the game’s official site, admins were essentially machine androids, making them susceptible to electrical attacks.
So, if Hon could flood each building with massive currents, it would make our job much easier.
The problem lay in the personality of this ethereal beauty, with his flowing winged robe, green hair tied up, and sparkling eyes.
Hon, after hearing our request, extended his bare white foot toward us and said, “You need my help? Then first, say ‘Oh great and beautiful Hon, please grant us your mercy,’ and kiss my foot.”
A moment of silence followed.
Only high and mighty individuals, far too proud to comply with such a demand, stood here.
I had no choice.
I clicked my tongue and stepped forward. Then, kneeling slightly, I recited the phrase he had just uttered and pressed my lips against the top of his foot.
I thought I heard Akata gasp behind me, but I ignored it.
Someone had to do it, and it suited me. At least his foot was clean.
“Huh?”
“Happy now? Join us.”
I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to satisfy Hon since I wasn’t a strong person, but luckily, Hon, with a twisted smile, allowed it.
Does this mean I’m a strong person now?
Meanwhile, chaos erupted behind me.
“Rudel, you used to say even hands were dirty! You said even hands were dirty!”
Akata was in a fit, dredging up complaints from who knows when.
Shemarin, looking disgusted, handed me a handkerchief and urged me to wipe my mouth. She had taken the handkerchief from Jail’s chest pocket. Jail used it as a pillow when he slept anywhere, but for some reason, he said nothing.
***
Real World
[Standard Time 13:46, Game Planner ‘Shemarin’ Camera]
A beautiful woman with slender legs and a petite frame passed by, her green hair and flowing silk cloak trailing behind her.
“You’ll pay for this later.”
“Yeah, yeah. Just get on with it.”
Hon grumbled harshly as he walked with Shemarin but diligently disrupted the system’s network at each arena.
Bzzz-!!
With a fierce noise, the power across the entire arena went down. His abilities didn’t match his appearance at all. The most nature-friendly-looking person was sending electric currents through his fingers, the opposite of plants.
“All this for one kiss on the foot. You’ve got me doing this at every arena.”
[Standard Time 13:55, Game Planner ‘Akata’ Camera]
“You know, you got popular with that fake relationship with Shemarin.”
At Rudel’s sudden comment, Akata’s pupils wavered. Since meeting Rudel again, his eyes had regained their vitality, but he always tensed up when this subject came up. The high-resolution camera even showed the cold sweat forming at Akata’s temples.
“Yes.”
“But if we reveal to the commenters that it was all fake, won’t there be a big backlash?”
Akata pretended to think for about two seconds, then shrugged.
“It doesn’t matter anymore; I achieved my goal.”
His face glowed with a radiant light, as if he had found peace now that he had reconnected with Rudel. Countless viewers probably captured this moment with a ‘click’ sound.