I Entered a Gacha Game That Had Been Abandoned for 10 Years

37 – Monstrous Calamity (1)

Arteil’s affection system is practically a system that can be called the essence of hero cultivation and at the same time one of the systems that players must delicately manage.

The reason is that depending on how players handle this affection system, the abilities of the heroes belonging to the territory can skyrocket.

Thanks to this, players have delicately managed their affection with heroes, and Kim Hyunwoo had also managed his affection with heroes delicately, although he eventually folded due to that murderous BM.

Anyway, to get to the point, Arteil’s affection system is a crucial element in the game, and most players go to great lengths to somehow raise the early affection with the hero they acquire.

“The reason lies in the initial affection that arises after ‘measurement.’ It determines the difficulty of increasing affection afterward.

For instance, if the affection that surfaced right after measurement is at level 1, escalating it to level 5 becomes an incredibly steep challenge. Conversely, if the affection post-measurement is at level 2 or 3, the difficulty of reaching level 5 isn’t as arduous.

Yet, even if one manages to raise it to level 5, maintaining that affection boasts an insanely challenging level.

The crux here is that the initial affection must be close to level 5 for increasing it to become easier. Every player strives to elevate their early-stage affection, but surprisingly, it isn’t easy.

No matter how lavish the treatment, it’s rare for a hero’s measured affection to surpass level 2, and even rarer to reach level 3, which might earn a nod from the Arteil Gallery.

Considering that when Kim Hyun-woo started, there was only one hero beginning at level 3, starting with an affection level above 2 is truly a daunting task for a hero.

However…

Kim Hyun-woo stared at Elena’s info screen, where her affection was boldly displayed as level 4.

“…Really, level 4?”

He wore a baffled expression.

Certainly, while it was somewhat unusual for Elena’s affection to have been measured for an extended period, Kim Hyun-woo never expected a level 4.

At least, as far as he knew, an affection level of 4 was an exceptionally high rank.

He recalled the affection stages players had divided.

“…Level 1 was business relations, 2 was friends, 3 was very close friends, and 4 was a precious existence, while 5 was someone worth sacrificing for… something like that.”

Kim Hyun-woo pondered this, then glanced at Elena’s relationship status.

Her displayed affection level remained at 4.

“…No, there weren’t any obvious signs from the start, were there?”

In reality, an increase in affection didn’t always alter a hero’s response. The levels were more about familiarity and intimate relationships than purely romantic attraction.

But even without romantic interest, a level 4 affection should warrant some response, which Elena seemed to lack.

Compared to dramatic shifts in affection seen in others due to an increase, Elena…

Thinking her affection lingered more at levels 1 or 2 than at level 4, Kim Hyun-woo shook his head.

“Honestly, it doesn’t seem like I’ve done something to raise her affection to level 4… well, good things are good.”

That became his conclusion.

If her affection was at level 4, escalating it to level 5 should be relatively simple, and if he could achieve that, she would become much stronger.

Hence.

“…Elena, as I’ve always thought, seems to be the type not to easily reveal her emotions.”

With that thought, Kim Hyun-woo continued contemplating the matter regarding the third floor.

On the hill overlooking the Larthania territory around that time.

“Leader, aren’t you going?”

“I’m not going.”

Gyiral, gazing at Merilda, who was swaying her tail toward the territory, sighed silently and asked without words.

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, even so, leaving the guys under the leader like this feels a bit off, doesn’t it?”

“You guys can handle it among yourselves and figure things out again.”

“That’s true, but originally, our group didn’t come together with that kind of feeling.”

“I’m not interested.”

In response to Merilda’s firm answer, Gyiral sighed once again.

“As expected, but… no, I can’t really say this is as expected.”

No, in fact, for Gyiral, the entire situation unfolding right now was a series of surprises, things he had never thought would happen.

Gyiral didn’t think he could have a long conversation with her like this, and he didn’t think he could see Merilda acting like this.

To begin with, what Gyiral expected was that even if he tried to find Merilda, he wouldn’t be able to bring her back.

Among the members of the Crimson Eyes, no one, including the Four Kings, could move her.

But…

“…I never thought the reason the leader couldn’t be moved was just because of a human man.”

Of course, Merilda didn’t explicitly say anything.

However, observing her actions quietly for the past few days, it was something that could be naturally inferred.

All she did while sitting here all day was look at the lordship of Larthania territory.

Was that all?

If she saw a human man through the window of the lordship, she would perk up her ears and sway her tail, and when the human man disappeared from the office window, her tail would droop, and her ears would sag.

Merilda was just repeating this.

“…What’s so great about just looking at it?”

Gyiral looked at Merilda’s expression.

The fierce eyes remained unchanged, but the ears perked up, and the tail swayed.

And with a calm smile on her face, almost imperceptible, Gyiral couldn’t help but doubt whether the being in front of him had those crimson eyes.

Honestly, Giral couldn’t understand that kind of Merilda.

He couldn’t fathom why she was strangling a human man like this, nor could he understand why she was just observing that human man.

So, after days of saying nothing to Merilda except for the suggestion to return, Giral uttered such words for the first time.

“Why is that human man so appealing? After all, he’s just a weak inferior species-“

And then he realized.

The fact that he had made a mistake.

Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump!

The instincts of a merman instantly transformed his body into a combat state, making his fur bristle and his hidden claws grow.

However, despite reacting instinctively, Giral, the Red-Eyed Quadrant King and the second in rank among those with red eyes, couldn’t move.

The reason was.

– Turning his head, due to Merilda’s hostile gaze.

Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump!

His heart was pounding.

Fear consumed instinct.

The claws that had grown were suppressed and the sharp fur that had stood up shrank.

It wasn’t until then that Giral realized once again.

The presence in front of his eyes was not just an ordinary human, but a lone hero who could slaughter dozens of heroes and an equal powerhouse.

He belonged to the Red-Eyed Leader, and after realizing that, Giral understood how broad-minded Merilda was.

At least, he vividly remembered the fate of the merfolk who spoke such arrogant words to her in the past.

“Watch your words, Giral.”

While looking at Giral trembling, Merilda spoke to him.

“There won’t be a next time.”

In the face of the leader’s magnanimity staring at him, Giral could only bow his head.

Two days later.

During the past two days, Kim Hyun-woo had been wracking his brain over whether to conquer the third floor or not. In the end, he made a decision.

He decided to descend with Elena and conquer the third floor.

In truth, to ensure a safer conquest of the third floor, it would have been better to increase Elena’s stats a bit more before going.

“If Elena’s favorability is at level 4, it should be safe.”

The reason Kim Hyun-woo judged that he could conquer the third floor relatively safely was because Elena’s favorability level had reached 4.

Elena’s stats, acquired through recruitment by the lord, were influenced not only by the stars but also by favorability.

In other words, thanks to the stat buff from the favorability level of 4, Elena currently had a pretty decent spec to challenge the third floor. Therefore, Kim Hyun-woo decided to break through the third floor.

“I plan to conquer the third floor.”

As Kim Hyun-woo was about to call Elena to convey his intention to conquer the third floor, a sudden resonance spread throughout the entire territory.

“Woah-!”

“?”

Inadvertently, Kim Hyun-woo showed a puzzled expression at the sudden resonating sound throughout the territory.

—-

[Disaster (災殃) Occurs!]

A monstrous disaster has occurred in the southern part of the continent!

Grade: Ghost (鬼)

First destination of the monstrous disaster: Lartania.

Remaining time: 3 days, 17 hours, 22 minutes.

※ Caution! Massive territory damage is expected! Please respond quickly!

※ Caution! Territory residents are starting to tremble in fear! Happiness is decreasing!

※ Caution! Territory residents are starting to feel uneasy! Without action, residents may leave the territory!

※ Caution! Territory residents’ labor efficiency is-

※ Caution! Territory residents’ economic activ-

※ Caution! –

—-

“Ah.”

Soon, an alert window appeared before his eyes.

“Damn it.”

Kim Hyun-woo, with a stern expression, involuntarily muttered curses.