Chapter 399: Do You Dare to Hit Me in the Back of the Head? (2)

Sohyi, the Wanderer.

Without her realizing, the wounds around her eyes had already healed; the bleeding had stopped. Yet with her eyes still closed, she could see nothing.

“…You—”
She recognized Cale’s voice.

“Who are you, really?”

“Haha!”
Cale’s crystal-clear laughter rang out, right in front of her face.

And then, another voice followed.
“Only now do you begin to wonder?”

The voice carried a playful tone.
“We are Arm. The secret faction of the God of Chaos.”

“Lies!”
Sohyi glared toward the direction of the voice.

“Don’t spout nonsense! Do you think I’ll just ignore how you tricked me into believing that?”

Her anger surged, boiling within her.

In that underground prison, where the passage of time had become indeterminate, Sohyi had reflected at length.
And at last, she had understood—Cale’s group belonged to an unknown force. They were not allies of the God of Chaos, but an entirely different enemy.

“You made me believe you were a subordinate of the God of Chaos—!”

But before she could finish, her words faltered and fell silent.

“And then?”

Cale’s low voice cut through the darkness.

Next to him, inside the cell, an immense energy was gradually filling, a force that evoked chaos, imbued with terror.

“!”

Sohyi’s body began to tremble.

Only the power bestowed by a God could crush a Wanderer like her in that way.

“So, in the end… it was never the God of Chaos you served. I was wrong from the start.”

Sohyi swallowed her fear and asked in a trembling voice.

“…Then… which god is it?”

“Ha!”

Cale let out a stifled laugh, and hearing it, Sohyi’s shoulders slumped.

The Dominating Aura Cale had unleashed filled the cell, its sheer intensity sowing an unbearable fear within her.

Pat, pat.
Cale gently patted her slumped shoulders.

“Sohyi…”

His voice, soft and sincere, reached Wanderer’s ears.

“Gods… should freeze to death.”

There was no pretense in his tone—only raw sincerity.

“I… hate gods.”

Sohyi hesitated, unable to respond immediately.

“And more than that… I despise the Absolute God you seek to create.”

“…!”

At those words, Sohyi flinched. Her lips parted as if to reply—

“Choi Han.”

At Cale’s call, Choi Han immediately moved, covering Sohyi’s mouth.

“……!”

She struggled to speak, but Cale only watched her in silence.

Cale recalled the Heavenly Demon’s words.
‘It’s not as simple as it seems. I passed several pieces of information to Choi Han, but from what I could gather, they were all lies. The Wanderer still believes she has a chance to escape. Most likely, she was just spouting nonsense.’

And the Heavenly Demon had added—
‘She still clings to the belief that she can escape. Because of that same delusion, other Wanderers have already come here.’
As he had said, Sohyi still clung to the belief that she could escape.
And because of that same delusion, other Wanderers had already come here.

“Sohyi…”

Cale spoke directly to the Wanderer, his voice unhurried.
“Don’t you think another Wanderer will come to rescue you?”

“……”

“There is no hope for you anymore.”

“……!”

With those words, Cale made a slight gesture to Choi Han.

Choi Han, covering Sohyi’s ears well, prevented her from seeing, hearing, or speaking; he even covered her face with a cloth, immobilizing her limbs, and lifted her up with a jerk.

“Let’s go!”

“Yes, Cale-nim.”

Cale and Choi Han left the solitary underground prison, taking Wanderer Sohyi with them.

Thus, she disappeared from the Kingdom of Lan.

* * *

Flash!

But the place where Sohyi appeared was not the Kingdom of Lan, but the Eastern Empire, Reenti; the imperial palace itself, in the most heavily guarded place in Huanan, the capital.

Between midnight and dawn, at the moment when night reaches its greatest darkness…

“Hmm.”

Cale, along with Choi Han, stopped abruptly as they crossed the teleportation portal to that place.

– There are a hundred people.

Super Rock sent a warning.

Shff.

Choi Han was carrying Sohyi on one of his shoulders, while with the other hand he rested on his sword scabbard.

At that moment, a knight clad in armor stepped forward.

“Are you a close friend of the Crown Prince?”

Cale gave a nod and answered lightly.
“That’s right. But the welcome feels a bit… excessive, doesn’t it?”

Nearly a hundred people, all clad in armor and who seemed to be members of the palace’s royal guard, surrounded the teleportation portal, resting their hands on their scabbards.

It felt less like a welcome, and more like a show of vigilance.

“We will escort you.”

The knight, without offering further explanations, turned around and began to walk.

– Cale, Choi Han!

At Super Rock’s words, Cale turned in surprise.

Pat, pat.

Quickly, he hit Choi Han’s shoulder, which softened his stern face.

Finally, Cale felt relieved and followed the knight.

“Have they heard who we are?”

The knight answered without hesitation.

“No.”

“Really?”

“This place is directly beside the palace where the Crown Prince resides. Naturally, such precautions are standard procedure.”

In other words, assembling this many guards to keep watch was normal.
There was no reason to complain.

The knight—likely the head of the palace guard—was firm in his stance.

“I understand. But I made it clear to the Prince that absolute secrecy must be maintained.”

Noticing that Cale spoke of the Crown Prince without the slightest deference, the knight frowned. But his expression stiffened the moment Cale added:

“They’ve already seen our faces—a hundred people! That’s no small matter.”

His voice carried an almost careless ease, but the weight of his words was truly serious.

The knight, without realizing it, stopped and turned back, startled to see Cale looking at him with a serious face, not smiling.

Cale said calmly,

“We need you to provide us with your personal information, please.”

Cale sent a message to Ahn Roh Man through Alberu.

<We have secured a key individual connected to Transparent. Immediate transfer to the underground prison is required. Swift action is required.>

Isn’t it obvious that in a matter like this, secrecy should come first?

Cale was irritated by Ahn Roh Man’s careless way of handling things.
This was a matter of the highest secrecy—yet even if Sohyi’s face remained hidden, her figure and presence had already been exposed.

Therefore, Cale forcefully stated his position to the supposed head of the guard.

“…….”

Mmm.

After a long silence, the knight finally spoke.

“For now, let’s get out of here.”

The knight finally resumed his march.

– Cale.

Super Rock spoke again.

– Choi Han must have realized; the knights following us are not ordinary people.

The more than a hundred knights, supposedly tasked with guarding the palace, appeared anything but ordinary.
From their armor to their posture, everything about them stood out.
Even the way they walked—their precise, unsettling composure—set Cale on edge.

– And now, there’s no one around us.

From the portal to the Prince’s palace, the path was lined only with knights.
No servants passed by.
No attendants.
Not even a single patrol.

Perhaps it was because of the late hour—
but the absence of everyone else made one thing clear; the movements of Cale, Choi Han, and Sohyi were being tightly guarded.

Cale’s gaze shifted to the side.
Choi Han had not relaxed in the slightest.

– The knights are truly formidable, aren’t they?

Even Super Rock sounded astonished, but Cale only asked,
“Is it permitted to meet the Emperor like this?”

“!”

At once, fifty—no, a hundred—knights halted in place.
Before the palace entrance, absolute silence descended among the armored figures.

The knight guiding Cale turned slowly.
“……”

His eyes flickered with unease as he looked at Cale, then let out a quiet sigh.

Just as he opened his mouth—

Creeeak.

The palace entrance door opened with a slight sound.

“We’ve been invited inside.”

An elder, who appeared to be the butler, stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Cale.

“Let’s go.”

Cale gestured lightly to Choi Han.

As expected, Cale, Choi Han, and Sohyi stepped through the open doors together.

Creeeak.
The heavy doors shut behind them.

The elder turned to Cale and said,
“The First Corps of Palace Knights exists solely for the Prince. You need not worry about secrecy.”

Cale looked at him with a strange expression.

“They say you are very close to the Prince. Because they oversee his safety, these inconveniences arose. I apologize for the excessive treatment.”

After conveying those words, the elder gestured down the corridor—
or, more precisely, toward the door at its far end.

“I will accompany you. Someone is waiting for you.”

Cale gave a nod and followed the elder.

Here, too, the silence was absolute.
Not a single soul in sight.

Except for the corridor, the palace lay in darkness.

Though the ascension ceremony had yet to be held, Ahn Roh Man’s residence, acknowledged as the Prince’s, was deserted.

All because of Cale’s visit.

At the far end of the corridor—
the Emperor awaited.

It was said that Ahn Roh Man’s brother, an AI, resided here as well.

Steinsen.
That was the Emperor’s name.

When they reached the end of the corridor, the elder knocked on the door.

Creeeak.
The door opened softly, its faint groan breaking the silence.

A knight stepped aside, holding it open.

Beyond him…
a figure stood with his back turned, gazing out the window.

“You may enter.”

The elder addressed Cale, and the knight who had opened the door quietly withdrew.

The room, where only the man by the window could be seen, was deserted; Cale and Choi Han entered.

Of course, Sohyi, too.

Creeeak.
The door shut behind them.

“…….”

Cale didn’t bother to speak immediately.

Silently, he observed the figure of the man looking out the window and then continued walking.

Finally, without showing concern, he headed towards a sofa and sat down.

“Sit down too. Leave that thing on the floor.”

Cale, pointing to Choi Han, indicated the seat next to the sofa.

“Yes!”

Choi Han, without hesitation, dropped Sohyi and sat down next to Cale.

“…Ha.”

At that scene, the Emperor, Steinsen, looked on in silence and chuckled.

Turning around, he was already heading towards Cale.

“Sit here, please.”

Cale vaguely pointed to the main seat and continued.

“I’m busy. Enough with the formalities.”

In Reenti, the land of knights of the Eastern Empire;
In Brez, the land of the arts of the Western Empire;
and in the Kingdom of Lan, the northern land of martial strength—
each stood as a nation with immense military power.

So, in such a warlike country, it was only natural that Cale’s reception began with knights.

Leaning back on the sofa, Cale asked the Emperor directly.
“Do you wish to be treated as an Emperor?”

“……”

At the Emperor’s silence, Cale spoke again, bluntly.
“I came here today to see Ahn Roh Man’s brother.”

Emperor Steinsen’s eyebrows lifted slightly.
At last, his voice could be heard.

“But isn’t the Emperor’s permission required to use the palace’s underground dungeon?”

Are you supposed to, since your position depends on the Emperor, is it right for you to come to see Ahn Roh Man’s brother?

To which Cale answered without hesitation.
“From the start, I’ve never entrusted responsibility to someone I didn’t trust.”

Whether it was the Emperor or anyone else, the fact remained; being Ahn Roh Man’s brother was enough for Cale to trust him.

“They say that, although Ahn Roh Man is trustworthy, there are those who can be easily manipulated, and I wasn’t wrong.”

Emperor Steinsen chose not the main seat, but the sofa opposite Cale.

“As my brother’s companion, this place suits you, don’t you think?”

Cale nodded, looking playfully satisfied.
“That’s right. Which is why we should dismiss the attendants and speak privately.”

“That’s right. After all, I must still fulfill my duties as Emperor before the eyes of the world.”

Cale added casually,
“So that they don’t discover us, right?”

The Emperor only smiled in quiet conspiracy, offering no reply.

Then, he asked another question.
“When will I be able to see Won?”

“When she contact me.”

He was referring to Won—the AI born from the system.
She wished to meet Emperor Steinsen.

“It seems the system is stirring enough for Transparent to intervene in this world.”

The Emperor’s gaze shifted to Sohyi, lying on the floor.
“Are you speaking of the Five Color Blood Family?”

“Yes. As a Semi-NPC, she must be hidden well in the underground dungeon—without anyone knowing.”

“Leave it to us.”

The Emperor, without hesitation, affirmed that he would take care of it.

“I will ensure she cannot escape. I will keep her under constant watch.”

His words carried certainty, and Cale—who had already heard that the Eastern Empire’s dungeons were far more fearsome than those of the Kingdom of Lan—found it enough to trust.

What’s more, Emperor Steinsen already felt closer to him than the Queen of Lan ever had.
Though this was their first meeting, that sense of closeness was unmistakable.

“I’ve heard quite a bit about your work from Ahn Roh Man.”
“Really?”

The Emperor changed the subject, leaving Sohyi’s matter aside.

“With this latest update, New World has become the stage for a great war.”

“That’s right.”

Although the change of subject was sudden, Cale listened attentively.

“On the surface, it looks as though users will be free to build new nations. But in truth, it is merely an episode—one designed for Transparent to aid its allies in securing a foothold within New World.”

“Yes, Exactly.”

Transparent, the Five Color Blood Family, the God of Chaos, the Demon World…all moving to unite themselves within this world.

Or perhaps, the chaos of war itself is required—part of the foundation process for the Absolute God.

Cale decided not to mention that part to the Emperor.

“I’ve always believed it would come to this.”

Cale fixed his gaze on the Emperor.

In Reenti—the land of knights—the name itself was barely twenty years old, according to the game’s history.
Since Emperor Steinsen’s ascension, the number of knights had risen dramatically.

“Your Majesty,” Cale asked quietly, “are you preparing for war?”

“That’s right.”

What war will it be?

The answer is deduced by thinking about who the war would be fought against.

“Do you intend to fight against the Transparent faction in New World?”

“Exactly. I’ve been waiting for the moment when those from Transparent try to establish their power in New World.”

“To finish them off, right?”

“That’s right.”

When Ahn Roh Man mobilized to save the Earth 3, the Emperor moved through New World.

Forgetting about revenge against Transparent, he valued the importance of both worlds.

“They say you are currently fostering conflicts between Hunters, the Demon World, and the God of Chaos, isn’t that right?”

“Yes. Exactly.”

“Do you plan to make them fight each other?”

“That’s right.”

Emperor Steinsen’s gaze lit up upon seeing Cale admit it without hesitation.

“Eventually, that will lead to inevitable conflicts.”

Then, the Emperor asked Cale.

“Allow those enemies to manifest on the surface of New World, even if it’s in a small part.”

In other words, make the NPCs and users of New World clearly recognize them.

Cale, addressing the Emperor – the mastermind behind this realm of knights – asked.

“So, will you proceed to battle?”

“Of course.”

The Emperor immediately acknowledged, and added:

“I possess the power and, at the same time, I am in the position to shape public opinion.”

The Emperor of the Eastern Empire had considerable power.

“Isn’t it that the Absolute God is Transparent’s ultimate goal?”

And, as expected of someone in his position, he should know how to glimpse the big picture.

Emperor Steinsen had his own vision, and he shared it with Cale.

“I plan to propose an agreement when I meet with Won.”

“To save New World, imagine that all of New World rises up against the Absolute God.”

That was the image he had.

A proposition that, at first glance, seemed possible.

“I want a mission to be created. I’m going to propose it.”

The moment the system, avoiding Transparent, spreads that mission in the form of a global announcement, the Emperor will be convinced that that transcendental mission can draw countless scenarios.

With a burning gaze, he continued:

“We want to transform the Absolute God into a kind of Demon King – a public enemy. Then, all the forces of New World, along with the users, will rise up to save New World and become heroes who overthrow the Demon King.”

This mission, much more capable of igniting the passion of users than the current one that urges them to become kings, will provide a legitimate reason for all of New World to unite.

“If you want to fight against Transparent, it is necessary to draw a picture of such magnitude, don’t you think?”

The Emperor, smiling broadly, said those words.

“Ah—”

Cale hesitated before opening his mouth.

“Hmm.”

No, he stopped again.

“Why? Speak freely.”

“Well…”

Finally, overcoming his hesitation, Cale said.

“That’s already in motion.”

“…Eh?”

“Well, it’s not a global server-wide mission, but…”

After all, Ahn Roh Man didn’t know yet.

Cale remembered that part that he hadn’t communicated to Ahn Roh Man and realized that it was time to tell him.

So, he said,

“The system has already launched a mission for the hero to stop the Absolute God, and it’s already in progress.”

“…Huh?”

“Haha.”

Our prince, Alberu Crossman, must already rescue his allies and stop the Absolute God.

“…Did they say the mission came out?”

“Yes.”

“And that the hero has already been chosen…?”

“That’s right. Even the sword the hero will use has been determined.”

“…When?”

“A while ago.”

“…Eh?”

In Reenti, in the country of knights, the iron Emperor, known as the Emperor of the Eastern Empire, looked at Cale with a stunned expression.

“Haha!”

Then Cale, smiling somewhat awkwardly, pointed to his side.

“Here, Choi Han is the hero’s master, isn’t he?”

“…Huh?”

“Hmm.”

The Emperor, with an incredulous face, looked at Choi Han, who lowered his gaze timidly while letting out a sigh.

“…….”

“…….”

“Haha!”

Amidst the silence of both, Cale simply laughed.

* * *

At that very moment, in the Temple of the God of Sun.

“Have you located the Sword of the Sun?”

“Yes. I think we can pinpoint its location.”

The saint and the pope were searching for the Sword of the Sun, that sacred object that awakened the divine spirit, the chosen one of the God of Sun.

* * *

“Hmm?”

Alberu felt a strange sensation and, without realizing it, stroked the back of his neck.

Suddenly, someone’s face came to mind.

“…Cale Henituse? Has this guy gotten into trouble again?”

He couldn’t get that feeling of annoyance out of his mind.

* * *

“Haha!”

And Cale, watching the absorbed Emperor, simply continued laughing.

When there’s nothing more to say, laughing is best. 

 -----

P/R Thoughts: Cale secures Sohyi in the Eastern Empire, clashes wits with Emperor Steinsen, and casually drops the bomb that the “hero mission” is already underway.

***

If you find any errors or have suggestions, please feel free to provide feedback.

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Yu Ryeo Han]

[Translator – Anowa]

[Proofreader – Mayank]