Chapter 101
[Congratulations!]
[Quest Complete!]
As the Knight Order departed, a System Window appeared before the Otherworlders' eyes. Since the quest's condition from the start was “Defeat the Knight Order”, the quest was automatically cleared.
Naturally, I, who had activated 'Player's Eye', also watched the scene. Having checked the notification, the Otherworlders each had a look of delight on their faces.
“It’s done. Now we don’t have to worry about going to prison!”
It seemed they had been quite worried about the risks of failure. Indeed, from their perspective, it was an issue that would greatly affect their future gameplay, so they must have been quite troubled internally.
*...Hmm.*
I fell into thought for a moment, watching them. Now that I think about it, there was a '???' in the Quest Reward Slot. Even if “Increased Chance to Deal with Future Calamities” was a reward, I wondered if the '???' was a reward I had to give. After all, the reward I was supposed to give Chaerin when I sent her on an errand before also showed up as '???'.
And even if it wasn't because of the System, I still wanted to give them something.
Still, these kids took on risks to side with me.
Shouldn't I give them something out of gratitude? But the problem was that I didn't really have anything to give right now. The personnel who received the quest were quite numerous.
“What... should I do about this?”
“Tsk, indeed.”
Then, something suddenly caught my eye. It was the items dropped by the Otherworlders from the Extermination Squad when they died. Although some Otherworlders had disappeared upon death, their dropped items remained on the Ground. The remaining People were looking at them with expressions that showed they didn't know what to do with them.
Although the Otherworlders' deaths had made these items ownerless, it felt awkward to just take them freely. The items in This Place held real value even in the Otherworld. That's why everyone was hesitant.
Seeing that, I had a good idea. I gathered the ownerless items and said to the Otherworlders.
“I’ll dispose of these separately and distribute the proceeds among you. Is that alright?”
“Ah, ah, yes!”
“Oh, we’d love that.”
Anyway, with the Extermination Order issued, the Otherworlders' weapons had accumulated to a considerable degree.
My Weapon Pouch was already full, and I was planning to sell some items at the shop soon anyway. I could just distribute the money from that. The value probably wouldn't be small, so they would likely be satisfied.
*I have byproducts collected from The Depths anyway.*
I probably wouldn't have to worry about money for a while. Of course, for me to convert these items into money, the Extermination Order would first have to be lifted.
“...”
I gazed silently beyond the Forest for a moment.
Now, it was a matter of fate.
With that, I sent the Otherworlders back with gratitude.
*
And that night, a virtual festival erupted on the Community.
+[Those Otherworlders who joined the Extermination Squad just for money are so pathetic lololol]
Boss? Don't make me laugh lolololol How did you guys expect to catch someone who even exterminated a Knight Order? Just suck your thumbs thinking about the value of the items you lost lolololololol +
Who are we? True patriots who risked everything for justice Your lost items! We will not return them! Absolutely! No matter what! Don't worry~ We'll put the compensation money to good use~~ You motherfuckers
Of course, it was a festival only for some Users. The Otherworlders who participated in the Extermination Squad suffered only losses, so their side was practically like a funeral home.
Those who participated on Yor's side, and those who simply watched the battle through broadcasts, were mostly the ones teasing them. As it was a Large-scale Event with hundreds of Users participating, there were just as many Users who watched it through broadcasts.
I only heard how strong he was
Wow, I never thought he'd crush an entire Knight Order by himself; Watching him take down the 4th Knight Commander at the end was truly breathtaking.
[lol Was that a proper fight? He just won by using a ton of dirty tricks]
[ㄴ Welcome, Extermination Squad lol]
[ㄴ Idiot, could *you* create such a situation? Creating an advantageous environment is also a skill]
[ㄴ He even fought fair one-on-one at the end lol]
+[This scene is so hot...]
His expression, with his clothes almost completely torn, And the muscles visible here and there, Seriously, my lower body tingles every time I see it.
[Seriously, if only there wasn't so much blood]
[ㄴ That's what makes it better?]
[ㄴ ? Sir]
[ㄴ Ugh, just die already]
[Look at those muscles. He's seriously ripped]
[ㄴ I seriously want to get a piece of that]
[ㄴ Ugh, this gallery is truly messed upㅠㅠ]
[ㄴ Today, the gallery is peaceful as always haha]
Naturally, there were many posts related to Yor as well. Without exaggeration, most of the popular posts were about him. The videos recorded this time sparked that much interest in them. By now, the Editors of each Streamer are probably staying up all night, diligently editing their videos.
Fortunately, most Users were showing a favorable reaction to him.
The Extermination Order itself was already a divisive issue, and now the Extermination itself was spectacularly crushed.
And aside from that, the fact that he was a 'Man' was important to the Users.
Naturally, with so many Viewers watching, the conversation between Reilly and Yor was also captured on screen. Although the distance meant not all of the conversation was captured, it meant that Users generally knew what the conversation was about.
+
[So, is the Extermination Notice going to be rescinded now?]
As above +
That's still unknown. It depends on the Emperor's will
It probably won't be rescinded. Honestly, it was an Imperial decree, so would it be? He can't go back on his word for the sake of his reputation. Wouldn't canceling it actually save face more? He saved hundreds of Knights who were trying to kill him and sent them back, so if he sends another Extermination Squad, it would be pretty pathetic. Seriously lol If he sends another Knight Order after all that, he's not even human.
Of course, it wasn't an easy question to answer. From the perspective of an individual, it was, in his or her eyes, a truly massive issue.
Now, they could only leave the future to fate.
And very fortunately... fate sided with Yor this time.
*
It is called the Age of Chaos. From the moment Demons began to run rampant in the World again... no, even before that, from when Otherworlders appeared in Gaia. Scholars of the World called this the beginning of the Age of Chaos.
And in such an era, countless things change. Numerous ideologies clash and fade, and the boundary between right and wrong becomes blurred.
Truths long revered as absolute suddenly become stale and outdated notions. Nonsense that sounds like the ravings of a madman one day becomes the teachings of a Sage that shakes the World the next.
People called it a turbulent era. From the moment Otherworlders fell into This Place, Gaians had already received too many ideas from them.
It wasn't a current that could be easily stopped. They would revive even if they died, wandering all over the World.
The native People had few options. Either to be swept away and sink, or to ride the current and live alongside it.
Fortunately, this Emperor seemed to be the latter. The Emperor, who had long sat on the Imperial Throne, at least knew how to read the currents of the times. The World was demanding that Manifestors be embraced.
Even if Gaians couldn't yet accept it, Otherworlders desired it.
Therefore, it didn't take long for the Emperor to make a choice.
“I shall revoke the Extermination Order.”
A few days later, all Extermination notices in the Guild were rescinded.
*
The Extermination Order was lifted. I heard this news exactly a few minutes after the official notice was issued. Yes, not hours, but minutes.
The one who delivered the news was naturally not Yu Chaerin or Im Haneul. They would only just be hearing the news.
It wasn't Shin Hanbyeol either, nor anyone else I knew.
“The official notice must have just been issued.”
The Opponent was none other than a Herald sent directly by the Country. A middle-aged Knight, who looked experienced, held a single letter. Perhaps not intending to fight, the Opponent spoke to me in a rather humble manner.
“And we are deeply grateful that you sent the Knights back unharmed last time. Thanks to you, the Country did not lose valuable Personnel.”
Thud. Saying that, the Opponent tossed something to me. It was an item both familiar and very strange to me. It was, surprisingly, an Imperial identification tag. A splendid Imperial emblem engraved on wood. It was a Commoner's identification tag, signifying citizenship of the Empire.
*Wow...*
I gaped for a moment, seeing it. Because the meaning of handing this over was very clear.
“It’s nothing much, but please accept it. It’s an identification tag His Majesty commanded to be personally issued. No one will likely stop you when you enter a Territory from now on.”
My hand, holding it, trembled slightly.
One might say, 'Finally...' It might feel like it's being given out of generosity. But considering the backlash they would have to endure to deliver this single identification tag... it was not something to be easily dismissed. No, it could be called quite unprecedented.
With this, I could proudly enter a city. Although it wasn't the civilization I desired, it meant I could at least enter a city with dignity.
Was this really true? Was there some trick? While various questions filled my mind, a faint thrill rose in my chest.
Moreover, the Opponent's words didn't end there. What came next was even more unprecedented.
“And I am here to invite you to the Imperial Nation. Please come and speak with us.”
They were inviting me to the Imperial Nation, where Nobles resided. The Imperial Nation was a place not only I, but even ordinary Commoners, could not enter easily. It was a decision truly unprecedented; one could call it shocking. It was enough to make me doubt for a moment.
What exactly are they thinking?
I stared silently at the Herald who delivered the news.