The Ruined World Was Mistaken for a Game-Chapter 24.1: Toward the Main Story (1)
Translator: Dreamscribe
Evanth Central Plaza was bustling with a crowd of people. Hundreds had already gathered, and more continued to arrive. It was completely different from the usual peaceful atmosphere.
‘Things are tense.’
That was how impressive Tia's performance had been.
Jinwoo observed the players gathered in the Central Plaza without revealing himself.
‘There are already guilds.’
To create a guild in Evanth, a player had to accumulate 1,000 Contribution Points. Even playing continuously since the start of Early Access barely got one close to 1,000 points.
He had expected guilds to form only after the Corrupted Goblin Subjugation, but things were progressing much faster than he had thought. There were already two players in Evanth who had achieved 1,000 Contribution Points.
These two players were standing face to face in the Central Plaza, with Haebyul awkwardly standing beside them.
Jinwoo checked their information.
[Lv.11] Northern Grand Duke
Title: Villain Slayer
Guild: Valhalla
Position: Guild Master
Class: Warrior
[Traits]
[B] Berserk
All stats increase as you take more wounds and lose rationality.
[B] Wild Instinct
The instinct suppressed within has awakened in this new world. Health and Endurance increase the more you follow your instincts.
[Combat Record]
12 hours ago, defeated Kanghaeyot in a duel.
6 hours ago, executed Kkanjjokjane (Crime: Lewd remarks).
3 hours ago, stomped SockThief (Crime: Theft) to death.
2 hours ago, was finished off by the Hero Slayer with the red ribbon.
Jinwoo looked at Northern Grand Duke.
She wore bear fur, exposing her arms, abdomen, and legs. Her long flowing hair resembled that of a lion, and her well-toned muscles radiated strength and health.
She looked like a legendary Amazonian warrior.
She frowned as she rested a flame-enchanted axe on her shoulder.
“I’ll take the lead, so stop whining and follow.”
Her voice came off a bit fierce.
The middle-aged man facing her let out a chuckle.
“Don’t bark so harshly. Well, hunting dogs do lead the pack, so I’ll allow it.”
"What? Has this bastard lost his mind?"
"Please attempt a more civilized conversation."
“Grrrk!”
The middle-aged man remained calm throughout.
Jinwoo observed him.
He wore leather armor and was equipped with a sword, a spear, a dagger, and other weapons. His rugged appearance and mustache left a strong impression.
[Lv.12] Life Hunter
Title: Jack of All Trades
Guild: Hunter
Position: Guild Master
Class: Hunter
[Record]
4 days ago, hunted 3 Horned Moles, 7 Blood Wolves, 2 Corrupted Goblins!
3 days ago, hunted 3 Rainbow Carps, 4 Great-Horned Deer!
2 days ago, defeated Killing Bear!
1 day ago, had guild-owned wagon robbed.
The scent of beast blood wafted strongly from Life Hunter.
“Wanna go at it?”
“If you want to enter in an hour, I won’t stop you.” (TL: After being killed there is a 1 hour cooldown if you forgot)
Northern Grand Duke and Life Hunter glared at each other in a standoff.
The psychological warfare was intense.
It probably meant they both wanted to be the first to defeat the goblins.
Jinwoo was about to take his eyes off them but suddenly stopped.
“Hm?”
Something about the souls dwelling in their bodies felt familiar. He immediately investigated through the Magic Tower.
Upon seeing the results, Jinwoo's eyes shook violently.
‘...noona?’
Northern Grand Duke was Jinwoo’s older sister, Lee Hee-jin.
She was emanating murderous intent.
The bloodied axe spoke of her brutality.
She had truly fought and killed many players in duels, and earned her Contribution Points by eliminating countless vile players.
It was a complete reversal from her usual kind and cutesy self.
Jinwoo recalled their past conversations.
‘Jinwoo, wanna eat this?’
‘I’m good.’
‘Let’s go shopping, Jinwoo!’
‘Maybe later, I’m busy....’
‘Look at this! Isn’t it cute?’
‘Yeah.’
‘Jinwoo?’
‘Yeah.’
“......”
“Yeah.”
...He realized he’d been too indifferent all this time.
Lee Hee-jin appeared before him, transformed into a barbarian warrior with fierce, beast-like eyes.
Jinwoo turned his gaze to Life Hunter.
‘Grandfather....’
Life Hunter was his grandfather, Lee Woon-sung, the chairman of Ohsung Group. He suddenly recalled what his grandfather had said about creating a completely different character during the Early Access period.
The two were completely unaware of each other’s true identities.
Their appearances were entirely different, and even their personalities had changed, so there was no way to tell.
‘Let’s just leave it be.’
People called revealing one's true identity taking the red pill.
Jinwoo made up his mind never to make them take the red pill.
He figured things would become unbearably awkward at the dinner table if they ever found out each other’s identities.
Jinwoo knew he wouldn’t be able to handle it.
Haebyul stepped in between the two.
“Please calm down. You can fight the goblins instead.”
"That goes without saying."
Fortunately, thanks to Haebyul's mediation, a fight was avoided.
Northern Grand Duke answered Haebyul roughly, then turned to look at her guild members.
“Waaah! A barbarian never forgets revenge!”
“Let’s tear apart those goblin bastards, noona.”
“Grrrr! I’ll rip them to pieces.”
Woooaaah!
Northern Grand Duke nodded at her guild members and raised her hand. The roar of the crowd grew louder in response.
"I wonder what kind of education they received. Tsk, tsk."
Life Hunter simply shook his head as he said that.
At the peak of the intense atmosphere, Jinwoo stepped forward and approached the scene.
“Huh? Gasp! Leon nim!”
“It’s Leon nim!”
“Kyaaah! Leon nim!”
The Central Plaza of Evanth, once overflowing with anger and bloodlust, was instantly purified. Just the appearance of Leon completely reversed the atmosphere.
It was a moment when all his efforts finally shone.
Jinwoo wore a gentle smile and greeted the players with courtesy.
“You must be SadEyes nim. You’ve grown so much I barely recognized you.”
“Eh? Y-Yes! Ha, haha! I’ve been working hard!”
“Neropero nim, did your potion combination succeed?”
“Yes! Thanks to you, Leon nim!”
“Ah! You must be IronMan18 nim. How is your sword training going?”
“Great! I learned a skill. Haha!”
Jinwoo kindly called each player by name and offered friendly remarks.
“Um, do you know my name too?”
“Yes, of course I do. HoneyPotIsMine nim. How could I possibly forget a hero's name?"
The players were deeply moved and overjoyed to have their names called.
[Lv.7] HoneyPotIsMine
Note: Helped with carrying items.
Trait: Mentally fragile.
Of course, Jinwoo didn’t actually have to remember all their names.
All related information was automatically stored in the Magic Tower. When he saw a player, their information window would automatically pop up, very convenient.
“Leon nim came to Evanth!”
“Take a photo quickly!”
It was the first time Leon had made an appearance in Evanth. Perhaps that’s why the players were especially touched. Seeing Leon in the place where they usually lived and played felt fresh and significant.
Jinwoo headed toward Haebyul.
When Haebyul saw him approaching, she flinched and quickly composed her expression.
“Uh, ha! Ahem!”
-Don’t act flirty, Haebyul.
-Don’t try to raise affinity with Leon nim.
Haebyul even adjusted her voice.
Despite the large crowd, Jinwoo had no trouble walking over.
With each step he took, the players parted to the sides as if the Red Sea were splitting.
Just a moment ago, there had been no unity at all, so it was truly a curious sight.
“It’s been a while. Haebyul nim.”
“Wow! Leon nim! Are you perhaps joining us?"
-Really? Even Leon nim is coming?
-That would be amazing.
When Haebyul asked Jinwoo that question, the surrounding murmurs quickly quieted down, and all eyes turned to him.
Jinwoo looked at Haebyul, then turned his body toward the nearby players.
“If I could fight alongside Heroes like you, it would be the greatest honor. Will you allow it?”
As he said that, he bowed politely.
“O-Of course!”
“Join us!”
“Waaaah!”
The players responded immediately, as if there was no need to think it over.
A roar of cheers erupted, and morale soared through the roof. Haebyul also shouted in excitement alongside the players.
-Waaah! It’s a festival!
-Kyah! This is it!
-Leon nim is with us! We’re unstoppable now!
Northern Grand Duke and Life Hunter looked at each other, then nodded in mutual acknowledgment and stepped back. They had felt the power Leon had to unite the players.
“Leon nim, we’ll be departing in an hour.”
Haebyul said that.
There was a clock tower in the Evanth Village Plaza. Originally, time in Arsilan was different from Earth's, but everything had been standardized to Earth’s units.
"My party members should arrive around then too. They're enhancing their equipment now."
"You mean enhancement?"
“Yes. I was thinking of heading over there as well..., would you care to join me?”
At Haebyul’s shy suggestion, Jinwoo nodded.
“Yes, I’ll go with you.”
“Yesss!”
Chapter 24.1: Toward the Main Story (1)
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