Genius’s Godlike Game Broadcast-Chapter 69 : The Vague Witch (4)

The Vague Witch (4)
It was easy to figure out which direction to go toward the knight order. Lee Gyeongbok walked toward the street where the conscription officer and the executioner had disappeared.
"Wow... this is brutal."
The further he went in, the more the village's horrors caught his eye. Not only had the buildings collapsed, bones were scattered around like trash.
By their appearance, some seemed to come from livestock, but there were definitely some that looked human too.
― Seriously lol now I really get what it means to feel eerie
― Evidence that the art team worked so hard lol
― I kinda like this post-apocalyptic vibe
― If you're a FromSoft fan, isn't this totally your thing?
The viewers agreed with his impression. They pressed on only for a short while.
'... The undead?'
Lee Gyeongbok's sixth sense picked up the familiar unpleasantness. But since there was some distance, it wasn't directed at him.
Lee Gyeongbok, at a fork, turned without hesitation toward where the undead were.
"I-I'll do anything!"
A voice was heard not long after. With that, control disappeared and a cutscene began.
― What's this?
― Who's that?
― Another victim? ㅠ
― There goes the thug NPC again
The protagonist cautiously stuck to the corner. What he saw when he peeked his head out was not much different from what viewers expected.
The conscription officer, the executioner, and a man on his knees bowing deeply.
― At least he didn't hit first this time lol
-lol recruiting the injured now, this is nuts
― What? Even sick people get dragged in? This is just...
― No controversial topics, please~
― Hold up~ we had a little commotion just now
-lol I'll hold back only because I'm broke
The conscription officer approached the man and spoke.
"You've made the right choice. You don't have to tremble in fear of becoming the undead anymore."
"Y-yes! Thank you!"
The man bowed enthusiastically. The executioner also loosened his hold on the axe.
― Why's he so happy to be enlisted lol
― Guess joining the military is safer in a place like this
― Wait, you want to avoid the army if you can
-lol I'd just go to the knight order church instead
― But the Order Church is weak, right
― Elden Souls fans getting too deep again lol
While viewers playfully argued, Lee Gyeongbok hardened his face.
'It's the undead...!'
The constant sense of threat closed in rapidly. The location was directly above, on the roof of a collapsed building.
Along with that, the cutscene shifted dramatically.
"Careful, follow me... Gyaah!"
Something dropped onto the conscription officer as he tried to help the citizen up. The startled executioner grabbed the axe, but met the same fate.
"Kya-hahahaha!"
A streak of laughing attackers appeared. They were wrapped tightly in ragged clothes and wielded rusty blades.
-???????
― What is this? What happened?
-〈Message deleted by moderation bot (Warning 1)〉
― Spoiler! Spoiler camel incoming!
― Those two die that easily?
― No way;; when I fought them they were insanely tough
― Can't handle surprise attacks and getting ganged up on lol
― Godple can do it though?
― You're thinking based on the player, dude!
The viewers were flustered. They knew the conscription officer and executioner weren't supposed to be easy characters to kill.
"Something's off."
The protagonist in the cutscene also sensed something unusual. But his gaze wasn't on the two being overrun; instead, he looked at the man who just applied to enlist.
Despite watching the two die before his eyes, the man didn't seem to think of running away.
Maybe it was because he was with the knight order. The conscription officer and the executioner fought back fiercely and even managed to injure the attackers.
But that was it. In the end, neither left a will and both died immediately.
"Kya-hak, ptui! Damned...!"
A wounded attacker spat bloody saliva at the corpses and walked toward them. Soon, as the attacker reached out, a halo seeped in.
"Just take a little! It'll lose its flavor!"
"Yeah, I know, so shut it."
The attackers, bickering in their harsh voices, began dragging away the corpses. One of them looked back at the man.
"Congratulations on passing the test. You did real well."
"S-so then...?"
"Yeah, we'll share the 'food' with you. Come along."
At those words, the corner of the man's mouth twitched. Above it spread a chilling grin.
"Now, now I'll never have to go hungry again...!"
He laughed like a madman and disappeared with the attackers.
A silence descended, as if nothing had happened. But the trail of blood left behind by the attackers dragging the corpses was unmistakable evidence.
"They're ghouls."
"Ghouls?"
At the witch's voice, the protagonist echoed. She hung her head in misery.
"They couldn't overcome their hunger and broke the taboo. That man is probably turning into undead too."
"I see..."
As the attackers' true identities were revealed, the chat window buzzed.
― Holy crap;;;
― Civilians are turning into undead?
― Yeah, that's how it works
― First time it's shown this directly, isn't it?
― Normally, citizens and undead are totally separate in-game
― Wow... so that's why the knight order cracked down so hard
― The story's twisting big time
Lee Gyeongbok weighed the viewers' reactions. The cutscene had finished and control had returned.
'I could just pass by...'
It was possible to track them using the trail of blood. The developers had clearly given a choice to pursue the ghouls.
Lee Gyeongbok made his decision.
"I'll make sure to deal with the ghouls before moving on."
― Of course!
― Gotta give those ghoul guys a lesson!
― Can't just ignore this and call it perfect lol
-(PerStamp) Sending it in advance^^
No one objected.
Lee Gyeongbok followed the trail of blood into an alley. The deeper he went in, the stronger the smell of blood grew.
After a short while, the trail led to its end. Unlike the other ruins, this building was relatively intact.
'Five of them.'
His sixth sense picked up the number of ghouls inside. Lee Gyeongbok took a steady breath and activated his sorcery.
Four crimson whips stretched out from his hands. He kicked open the door without hesitation.
With a bang, the door flew open.
― FBI! Open up!
― Freeze! Hands up!
― Don't move! Hands in the air!
― No win situation lol
― You die if you raise your hands, you die if you don't lol
The viewers laughed at his bold action. But soon, the atmosphere in the chat window grew cold.
"Kyaah?!"
"Who's there?!"
Jarring voices rang out, revealing the inside. It was an abattoir used by the ghouls.
Blood was everywhere and mysterious chunks of meat lay scattered.
The man who had been the bait before now buried his head, ravenously devouring the unidentified meat.
― Even though I knew, it's disgusting
― Wow... he's truly corrupted now
― Undead guys are seriously gross, gotta admit
The man's appearance was no longer human. His skin had turned bruised-blue, his head was bald, an ugly monster.
"Kya-hah! Dessert, is it?"
"Grab him!"
Meanwhile, the other ghouls charged at Lee Gyeongbok. He looked at the ghouls without hiding his disgust.
"Let's finish quickly."
The four crimson whips stretched taut and lashed out. In an instant, they coiled around and twisted the blades the ghouls were holding.
"Krrrk!"
"Kkek!"
Lee Gyeongbok then used those very weapons to end their lives. Those that fell to the floor twitching soon went limp.
― Damn, that was sick
― Wow lol using their own weapons like that?
― Taking out four at once is insane but each in different directions? How's that even possible?
-(Kemalcon)(Kemalcon)(Kemalcon)
― This is divine control?
― PerCola really hits the spot lol
As the viewers marveled, Lee Gyeongbok drew his broken long sword.
Only the bait ghoul was left. That one, having lost his will to fight, shoved his bloody face into the ground.
"P-please, spare me! I-I was just... too hungry...!"
The ghoul begged pitifully for his life. But Lee Gyeongbok's expression was cold.
His sixth sense still warned that he was being threatened by the man.
Sure enough, when Lee Gyeongbok took another step, the ghoul sprang up and swung a blade.
"You're hopeless."
With a metallic sound, Lee Gyeongbok parried. It was an obvious attack to him, so parrying was effortless.
― Even the finish is clean lol
― Such a clean move meme
― Upstart undead, how dare he!
-lol come back after you're more corrupted
― Calling him hopeless was on point lol
The viewers expressed their satisfaction. Meanwhile, Lee Gyeongbok harvested a soul from the dead ghoul.
"Broken One, please check those corpses for me."
The witch spoke then. Lee Gyeongbok examined the corpses she indicated—the conscription officer and the executioner the ghouls had dragged in.
"The conscription officer's soul is still intact. Broken One, will you return this soul to the knight order?"
― Oh? Is there something more here?
― Of course you gotta listen to the witch's advice!
― Getting souls is always good lol
As the chat window said, there was no reason to refuse. When Lee Gyeongbok reached his hand out, a halo seeped from the corpse.
['Conscription Officer's Soul' acquired.]
Unlike the executioner's, this one displayed a message. Lee Gyeongbok checked with his sixth sense again and stood up.
"Let's move on."
* * *
The territory of the Royal Knight Order was easy to recognize.
Unlike the ruins, it had intact buildings, and well-armed soldiers kept watch.
As they approached, a cutscene immediately began.
"Halt! Identify yourself!"
The soldiers aimed their weapons. They did not welcome the unfamiliar protagonist.
― What's the password today?
― Hwarang! Cigarette!
― That's such an old reference lol – Old man... ㅠ
-???: Eh, good job there
-lol officers always get a free pass
While the protagonist hesitated over what to say, the witch whispered by his side.
"Show them the soul. Then they won't be hostile."
He did as the witch suggested. When the soul appeared in front of the protagonist, the soldiers flinched and lowered their weapons.
"This is...?!"
"I'll go this!"
One quickly left.
"... Thank you for returning the soul."
"There will be an answer soon. Please wait here."
The remaining soldiers, now more relaxed, bowed to the protagonist.
― The witch is seriously the best!
― No wonder you get her as a companion lol
-lol if she wasn't here, it would've started a fight for sure
― So cute and so powerful? lol can't resist that
As the viewers expressed their satisfaction, the soldier returned, whispering to someone who looked like a senior.
"Sorry to keep you. Please follow me."
The protagonist followed as his perspective shifted. They soon arrived at the knight order's barracks.
"The commander wishes to see you personally."
As that was announced, the chat window erupted.
― Huh?
― Going right to the commander's office?
― Is this the knight order alliance route?
― You couldn't form an alliance with them before, right?
― Yeah, usually you beat the order with the church on the normal route
― Maybe this is a shortcut to a boss fight?
― Wow, fighting the commander so soon?
-lol let's just see what happens!
While viewers speculated, the door to the commander's office opened. Inside stood a knight with long brown hair and a thick beard.
The commander looked at the protagonist, then his eyes twitched slightly. He signaled lightly for the soldiers to leave.
When the door closed, the commander spoke.
"I am Blondo, commander of the Royal Knight Order."
"I am..."
"You must be the Broken One."
Blondo interrupted before the protagonist finished.
"Since I saw you retrieve the conscription officer's soul, I knew you couldn't be undead... but to think you'd be the Broken One."
"Does that matter?"
"No, of course not. I should be thanking you for your mercy. If you'd wanted, you could have kept the soul."
Blondo bowed formally in gratitude. He stroked his beard and asked,
"So, you came here—does that mean you wish to join us?"
― The commander's offering an alliance first?
-lol this really is the knight order alliance route
― Definitely thanks to the witch's advice
-lol I bet you wouldn't get this if you didn't grab the soul
― When you listen to adults, good things happen
As the viewers sized up the situation, the protagonist spoke.
"No, that's not my intention."
"I thought so. Pity."
"... As expected?"
"You're after the 'Elden Soul,' aren't you?"
"How did you know that?"
Blondo replied with a wry smile. The witch, perched on his shoulder, carefully spoke up.
"Broken One, he was like you."
That one line flipped the mood in the chat window.
-??????
― The commander is a Broken One too?
-lol insane
― No way;;; no warning at all
-lol Godple show exclusive reveal!
― Always fresh! Always thrilling! Godple is the best!
The viewers couldn't contain their excitement at the new lore. But the cutscene still wasn't finished.
"Hm, not many know my origins... but I suppose it doesn't matter."
Blondo did not deny the witch's words. Instead, he let out a heavy sigh.
"Indeed, I, too, was once a 'Broken One' like you. I sought out the 'Decider' to find the Elden Soul."
"Aiden?"
"Yes. Judging by your reaction, you didn't know. The only one who knows the location of the Elden Soul is the 'Decider.'"
"But Aiden didn't tell you?"
"More like... I wasn't qualified to know. Instead, the Decider 'decided' my name and my duty."
Blondo gazed wistfully, recalling the past. Then he looked at the protagonist with pride.
"Under his guidance, I became 'Blondo' and received the mission 'defend the kingdom.' Protecting the Decider was also my duty, and I took measures so no more Broken Ones would appear... but it seems that wasn't enough to stop you."
At that, Lee Gyeongbok uttered a small exclamation.
"Oh, so that's why there was a Gravekeeper."
― So the Gravekeeper was a knight after all
― It's official, gravekeeper was a knight!
― Wow lol now all the pieces fit
― He did a good job filtering noobs
― He was a good knight, indeedㅠㅠ
The viewers understood instantly. Meanwhile, in the cutscene, the protagonist hardened his face.
"... You mean to stop me?"
"That would be proper, but circumstances have changed."
"What circumstances?"
"The Decider has been silent for far too long."
Blondo turned, gazing at the tall inner wall outside the office window.
"It's doubtful whether the Decider even exists anymore. Because of that, the mission of myself and the Royal Knight Order has become unclear. For now, we simply focus on keeping people from becoming undead."
He then looked back at the protagonist.
"In fact, I'm relieved that you showed up."
"Me, a Broken One? Why?"
"As I said, all that's holding me and the Order together is our supreme mission. But if the Decider no longer exists...?"
"A knight order that's lost its purpose becomes undead..."
The witch, quietly listening, murmured.
"The witch is right. With the Decider's status unclear, only then can the knight order stay together. Lest we become undead, no one, myself included, dares to check what's happening in the royal castle."
"But I don't care?"
"Exactly! You can go in our place and check on the Decider. You also have your reasons to seek him."
At Blondo's words, the protagonist's expression grew grave.
― Wow... so this is how alliances form
― This is basically Schrödinger's cat, isn't it?
― Quantum mechanics here?
― Aiden's neither dead nor alive lol
-lol got it (not really)
― So that's why the knight order just stayed put
Some viewers shared their thoughts in the midst of the conversation.
"Fine. No need to make unnecessary enemies."
"Thank you. But there's still one problem."
"Problem?"
"To pass the inner wall, you need two keys. One is this 'medal' I possess."
Blondo produced a golden medal as he continued.
"And the other is the 'holy orb' in the possession of Sophia, saint of the Order Church."
"The Order Church..."
"They're the ones who still believe the undead can become human again. If you get the 'holy orb,' I'll hand you this medal."
"Can't you just give it to me now?"
"As I said, shamefully, we're cowards. If the medal passed to the church, sophia would have the power to dominate us, and we'd end up protecting 'undead' rather than humans."
"That would go against your mission, huh. I understand."
"Thank you for understanding. I'll instruct my men to let you use our facilities freely while you're here."
The protagonist nodded and left the commander's office. The cutscene ended there.
― Wow lol
― We can use all the facilities right away?
― So no need to prep at the church anymore
― The story's completely different now
― What was supposed to happen?
― On the original route, the protagonist beats the knights for the church and it turns into church territory
― So does that mean PVP is unlocked?
Lee Gyeongbok, checking the chat window, widened his eyes.
"Huh? You can do PVP here?"
The chat window's mood shifted.
― Yeah, that's right
― Specifically, 'duel' mode within PVP is open
― Just go to 'Grave of Swords' among the facilities!
― Elden Souls fans swarm there instantly lol
― But who would challenge Godple in a duel? lol
-lol they know they'll lose
Lee Gyeongbok's mind spun at their s.
'Didn't Genome say you have to finish stage three?'
Genome had mentioned a different scenario before. But Lee Gyeongbok soon figured it out.
'Right, the original route has the commander as a boss—you unlock it by beating the knight order.'
Genome's standard was based on the old route. So, Lee Gyeongbok made up his mind.
"Well then, that's it for today's broadcast."
An abrupt stream-ending announcement.
Of course, the chat window exploded.
― You're ending here!?
-lol I'm getting PTSD from the outro music
― Whenever Godple's like 'well, that's all', I get nervous lol
― No way;;; I thought we were doing PVP!
― Try a duel before you go!
― Hyung! Some foreign player who doesn't know you might challenge you!
― Let's try random matchups for a bit!
― What, are you scared? Scared?
― Master troll! You've already trained us to crave this!
― There must be a reason, right;;;
Despite the uproar, Lee Gyeongbok smiled.
"Yes, exactly. There is a reason."
A sea of question marks immediately filled the chat window.
"For those who play Elden Soul, you all know him—that's right, a duel with Eclipse is scheduled!"
― For real true?
-lol insane
― This is huge! This is huge! This is huge!
― Purple vs Eclipse match!?
― Wow lol I got chills
-(PerStamp)(PerStamp)(PerStamp)
― How'd he get that! How'd he get that! How'd he get that!
― How far will this guy go!
― Big thing is coming! Big thing is coming! Big thing is coming!
― Epic matchup lol
― When! When is it! I need to request time off right away!
The chat window went wild the moment the legendary Eclipse was mentioned—a name no Elden Soul fan could ignore.
"I didn't arrange it myself. Eclipse suggested it first. He said he'd make time as soon as PVP unlocked... I guess we could do it now."
Lee Gyeongbok held back a bit. Chat grew ever more desperate.
― Now? You're doing it now!?
― Insane lol hold up! Gotta run to the bathroom!
― I need a diaper for this lol
― Is Eclipse live?
― Nope not yet
― He's probably scrambling to get ready right now lol
Lee Gyeongbok waved his hand.
"Ah, not doing it right now. It's late, and since it'll be a big event, both Eclipse and I should be in top condition—only then will there be no regrets, right?"
-lol fooled again
― His teasing skills are godlike
― My heart's a rollercoaster
― Eclipse: Tang! I just launched my capsule!
― But he's right lol
-lol everyone agrees, even his loyal viewers
― That's definitely a reason to end the stream
The heated resistance instantly flipped into agreement. Lee Gyeongbok smiled brightly and said farewell.
"I'll let you know as soon as the date's set. See you, truba!"
-(Perba-con)(Perba-con)
― Perba! Cuba!
― Editor! Cut it right here!
― Bye yot!
― It's always good, but today was the best!
-lol how can I wait till next time
― This is gonna be so fun
As the broadcast ended and the screen faded to black, most viewers hung around, savoring the afterglow.
― Who do you think will win?
― Eclipse has more experience, right?
― But who knows with Godple's insane skill?
― They're both amazing
― Duel results are unpredictable
-lol tomorrow's chat will explode
― Then, is NewtonLord coming too?
― He's probably practicing with coaching now
― Or maybe he'll tank and come for more coaching after
― What if he's in the chat right now?
― Decent chance lol
― Ah! When is it tomorrow!
Though it was late at night, the viewers couldn't fall asleep easily.