Swordmaster of the Fallen World

Chapter 8. Paradise Zone, New Seodaemun District (2)

The term “communications officer” immediately lent immense credibility to the subsequent statement.

Even more so since it was a field-grade officer.

They must have used military communications, so they would know the overall situation best.

“The places that turned into nightmare zones were locations with key national facilities, like the Blue House or military headquarters.”

“…………!”

“There are only a handful of survivors. As soon as the invasion began, they were wiped out instantly. By those ‘lofty ones.’”

“No way.”

“Believe me. They’re not something humans can hunt! They can annihilate an entire division-level force in seconds.”

The room erupted into chaos.

The annihilation of a military unit is a clear measure of objective combat power.

“Why are we even following that damned woman’s orders in the first place? She’s a subordinate of the one who destroyed our lives!”

A few people nodded.

The large man shouted again.

“Let’s just live here in this paradise! Or go look for our families!”

Family.

That word began to stir people.

Even Park Jiyeon, who sat next to me, was visibly affected.

“Yes, I need to find my daughter. My daughter Minji.”

“Me too. I wonder where they might be…”

The reason a wave of approval hadn’t fully risen yet was probably because of the Star Messenger’s imposing presence. But surprisingly—

“Do as you please.”

The Star Messenger drove a wedge into the growing divide.

“Even if you do not carry out your mission, I will not interfere in any way.”

…What?

I was startled.

I couldn’t pinpoint why, but there seemed to be a chilling menace hidden within her words. Why?

“Fine. Let’s go.”

“I’m going too.”

Was it that they didn’t sense it?

About ten people stood up.

They aligned themselves with the large man’s stance.

“…Baekjun.”

“Yes?”

“I…I mean, I think I need to go look for my family too.”

Park Jiyeon seemed half convinced.

Yeah… it’s understandable, given she’s directly experienced the nightmare.

But.

“No. Stay seated for now. Something doesn’t feel right.”

At my discouragement, Park Jiyeon looked around nervously.

In an instant, thirty people had risen, and others continued to stand.

They followed the large man, walking toward the exit.

“Please trust me.”

“Uh… okay. I’ll trust your judgment again, Baekjun.”

“I’ll go try to stop them.”

As I was about to stand, an icy chill ran through my veins.

I happened to catch the Star Messenger’s gaze… and her eyes narrowed, emitting a cold, bluish glow.

“But the beings who have personally chosen you must be greatly disappointed… can you bear the consequences?”

From behind, a horrifying scream erupted.

I whipped around, only to be met with a scene that left my mind blank.

“Save me, save me, save me!”

“It hurts. It hurts. It hurrrts!”

People clutched their chests, barely managing to gasp for breath.

Cracks began to spread across their bodies.

Starlight seeped out from the fissures.

“Stop it, stop!”

By the time I shouted, the starlight from the cracks had already exploded in a blinding flash.

“Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!”

Soon, the screams reached their peak, and then their bodies exploded.

Something hit my cheek and stuck to it.

It was warm.

I wiped it with my hand, only to find it was someone’s flesh.

I stood there, dumbfounded, for a long time.

The brief chaos was replaced by fierce silence.

In that nauseating stench of blood, there was no trace of the deserters.

“Now, brave hunters among the 948, listen to my words.”

None of the remaining people screamed.

No one even shouted.

Everyone sat frozen, holding their breath.

“I will share just two key pieces of information before ending my sermon.”

Everyone understood.

What kind of beings they were bound to and what kind of fate they faced.

“First. The ‘Paradise Zone’ has a population limit. This applies only to civilians.”

An information window appeared at the edge of my vision.

=====

Paradise Name: New Seodaemun District
Current / Limit: 1,981 / 3,000
=====

Park Jiyeon gasped sharply.

Even saving lives had become a competition in this era.

Ultimately, the only way to bring everyone to safety was… to finish the hunt.

“Second. Until the hunt is complete, no one can leave the city of Seoul.”

I glared at the Star Messenger, clenching my fists until they bled.

Against overwhelming power, the only protest I could muster toward these unjust deaths and meaningless games was this.

“If you want to reclaim the world, if you want to save those who were not chosen…”

Was that all?

Did I only hope that was all?

I loathed the Star Messenger, I loathed this manipulative situation… and I loathed my own silence.

“Eradicate the lofty ones from this land! Then ascend beyond! Now, go! May the blessings of the stars guide your hunt!”

…Dong… Dong… Dong…

The clock tower began to toll as the Star Messenger raised her hands reverently, as if offering a benediction.

“Oh, great Five Absolute Gods and Seven Stellar Deities, grant the hunters departing wisdom for their hunt!”

The ‘game tutorial’ was transmitted in the form of an [information window].

=====
[Hunting Basics]

About Nightmare Zones.
About Hunting Zones.
About Paradise Zones.

[Using Prey Essence]

Equipment purchases.
Combat consumable purchases.
Food purchases.
Various stat enhancements.

[Communication and Transportation]

Unmanned double-headed carriage.
Hunter’s courier, great raven.

=====

It hurt. My head hurt.

I bolted out of the cathedral.

I had no destination.

I just ran.

If I didn’t, I felt like the suffocating pressure would kill me.

As I ran, I noticed a sign labeled in the cathedral’s first-floor lobby.

Before I could process it, a tooltip appeared before my eyes.

=====

Sells combat consumables and [leather] armor.

=====

I shook my head to dispel the information window, only to see the cathedral’s annex had transformed into a .

And another information window unfolded.

=====

Sells weapons and [light], [medium] armor.
=====

I had somewhat accepted it.

But seeing the game system blatantly overlaid on reality made my head throb.

This was reality.

Reality overlaid with a game system.

I knew this intellectually.

But whether my mind could accept it was a separate matter entirely…

At some point, rain began to fall.

By the time I was running past Shinchon Severance Hospital, it was pouring.

The hospital, now a pitch-black cathedral, teemed with refugees in its front yard.

“P-Please, just a little more. My child is starving.”

Desperate voices rang out from the crowd.

“Me too, just one more, please.”

“I’m sorry. The system is controlling the daily ration, so even if I want to give you more, it won’t let me. Look, my hands won’t move.”

The voices suddenly grew animated.

“A system, you say?”

“Has the Central Control AI returned? Did Sunduk come back to life?”

“No, it’s more like… a game system, if you will. Anyway, it’s impossible. I’ve basically turned into an NPC or something.”

“NPC? You son of a—are you mocking us? Let go! I said, let go!”

Looking closely, there was a sign reading [Rationing] at the front of the hospital.

Several people sat leaning against the hospital wall.

They clutched bread and bowls, looking as if they had managed to get their rations early.

“…Mom, I’m hungry, so hungry.”

“Here, eat mine too.”

Children crying loudly without understanding the situation.

Adults with sunken eyes.

Some of the adults, like the children, quietly muttered “Mom… Mom…” while stifling sobs.

Everything about reality was bleak and tragic.

The city, echoing with the sound of bells, felt desolate.

Even with the Holy Spirits’ starlight blazing against the darkened sky, the world seemed shrouded in despair.

Standing in the rain, I let out a furious scream.

This shattered world was unbearably painful.

In my chest, my parents’ voices resonated.

The dreams of my childhood wept and whispered along with them.

I had to hunt down the enemies of the world.

I had to rebuild this world as a true world.

And no one else could do it.

Only I could.

“Baek… Baekjun, Baekjun!”

A breathless voice called out to me.

When I turned, I saw Park Jiyeon, drenched by the rain, clutching her knees and panting heavily.

Had she followed me all the way here?

“Where… are you rushing off to like that?”

It was a very simple question.

I could have given a very simple answer.

But… was it primal fear?

Only after deciding and deciding again in my heart could I force my mouth to open.

“I’m going to Jongno District.”

Park Jiyeon’s face turned pale.

“Jongno District… that’s… a nightmare zone.”

“I know.”

“That’s insane! The information from the Star Messenger clearly states it. The lofty ones all command seven subordinates!”

Subordinates were best understood as mid-bosses.

If I were to explain it in game terms, every boss had seven mid-bosses under their command.

You had to defeat these seven to qualify to challenge the boss.

“Now that those subordinates have been deployed, it’s even more dangerous than before. So, wouldn’t it be better to get stronger in a hunting zone first…”

“We don’t have the leisure for that. Monsters appear in nightmare zones too.”

“…So you’re saying?”

“Yes. I’ll grow stronger while hunting them, and I’ll take down the subordinates as well. That way, I’ll become familiar with the terrain, and eventually, I can strategize against the lofty ones.”

“You want to grow and strategize simultaneously?”

“If you think of it as a game… yes, something like that.”

“That’s far too dangerous. Why push yourself so hard?”

I had to go to the place everyone called a nightmare and feared.

Because—

“I’m going to end this mad game. Before the world completely falls apart.”

“You’re lying.”

Park Jiyeon gave me a bitter smile.

“You’re going to Jongno to save the people who might still be there, aren’t you?”

“That too… is part of it.”

“I thought so. No one would go to Jongno from the start otherwise.”

Looking at Park Jiyeon, I suddenly remembered her unique skill.

The power that had shattered military barriers.

It could be incredibly useful in urban combat.

“Ji-yeon, if you’re okay with it, would you come with me? You’d be a tremendous help.”

Park Jiyeon stared at me silently for a while, then—

“I’m… not a hero like you, Baekjun.”

She averted her eyes, biting her lip.

“I’m going to Mapo District. My family is there. I have to save them. Before the paradise population reaches its limit… that’s what matters most to me. I’m so selfish, aren’t I?”

I smiled faintly.

“How is saving your family selfish? It’s natural. I’m just a bachelor with no family, so I’m reckless like this.”

For a moment, only the sound of rain could be heard.

I was the one who extended my hand first, offering a handshake.

“I truly hope we meet again someday.”

Park Jiyeon clasped my hand with both of hers.

Her hands were warm.

Her face was lowered, so I couldn’t see it, but her voice, barely escaping, was fragile.

“…Thank you. And I’m sorry. Baekjun, don’t die. Please, promise me… never.”

Park Jiyeon raised her head, meeting my gaze.

I smiled at her with my eyes.

“I promise to keep that.”

I ran into the cold rain.

I ran and kept running until I was out of breath.

It would be a lie to say I wasn’t disappointed.

It would be a lonely fight.

But I had no right, no reason, to force a choice on anyone else.

[Warning: You are attempting to move to a ‘Nightmare Zone.’]

It wasn’t the people who were wrong.

[Choice Presented: YES / NO]

It was this world, turned into a mad game, that was wrong.

[YES]

To fix what was wrong.

[Zone Entry: Nightmare Zone – New Jongno District]

「…Hehehehehehe…!」

To end this damned game and—

「SHIRAKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!」

The accursed gamblers above.

I would put an end to them all.

[《Sacred Fire Succession》: Humanity Stat (+24)]

Humanity: 117 -> 141

[《Sacred Fire Succession》: Succession Progress Increased (2% -> 3%)]

Combat Memory Synchronization: (2% -> 3%)
Physical Ability Synchronization: (2% -> 3%)