"You say it's nice in there?"
Seong Jihan questioned, as if he couldn't understand.
The Hell, extremely compressed and sealed inside the sword.
What could be nice about being trapped in there?
[Yes. There's already a completed Hell here, so why would I go outside? If I went out, I'd just be caught by the White Administrator and have to rebuild HeavenNet from scratch.]
"So, you'll stay trapped?"
[Besides, if I want to watch you become the permanent administrator of HeavenNet, it's better to stay here.]
"Permanent administrator… You think I'll do that?"
[Already, haven't you used my powers this much?]
Fwoosh…
Flames sparked above the red eye.
What was revealed there was the World Tree.
[Thanks to them, from the moment you started using Red to deal with enemies, I was certain. It's only a matter of time before you become the permanent administrator of HeavenNet. Because you'll keep using Red.]
"Well, Red's powers are quite useful."
They say it was good at everything except combat.
Indeed, most powers used in daily life were Red's.
When Seong Jihan readily acknowledged Red's usefulness,
[You've realized the convenience too quickly. Blue one. Accept it more slowly. It's not time yet.]
Instead, the other side restrained him.
"I just said your abilities are useful, that's all."
[The problem is your attitude that's already turned positive. You should be more wary and show hostility for a while longer. Otherwise, you might be consumed by Red.]
"…Wouldn't that be good for you?"
[No. I want the master of HeavenNet to be more complete.]
Sssss…
As he said this, the image illuminated by the flames
Changed from the World Tree to a blue sword.
[The Blue Sword that the World Tree Alliance is making… Obtain this and strengthen your powers.]
"I didn't expect you to tell me to get that. If Blue's power gets stronger, it could completely annihilate the sealed Hell, you know."
[That may be so. However.]
Pop!
The flames disappeared.
The red eye slowly began to shrink.
[You will eventually become the administrator of HeavenNet.]
"You're too certain."
[Because if Red disappears, you'll be too uncomfortable to bear it. Blue's power is specialized for combat only, isn't it?]
"Hey, I originally lived fine without it."
[But once convenience arises, it's hard to give up. Like this.]
As soon as he finished speaking,
Zzzzing…
A red message window appeared before Seong Jihan's eyes.
[Expelled administrator 'Seong Jihan' bypasses access to the BattleNet system.]
[Some system functions accessible to players are partially restored.]
[You can level up from the status window.]
[Stats 'Void' and 'Eternity' are activated.]
[Inventory opens.]
…
In addition to these, most functions that couldn't be used due to expulsion were activated.
[200 Red stat is consumed.]
The cost for this bypass access was 200 stat.
'This guy really does all sorts of things.'
Red's powers were truly convenient.
Thinking this, Seong Jihan opened his status window.
Name: Seong Jihan
Level: 2 (Can level up to 3)
Red: 540
Blue: 999 (When rising to SSS rank, +1742)
Void: 50
Eternity: 22
Title – Martial God
Remaining points: 0
His level, adjusted to 2 to seal HeavenNet.
But now he could raise it by 1 level, probably because he had annihilated those Elves and cut down 4 World Trees earlier.
However,
"In the old system, leveling up was automatic. Did you control this too?"
[Yes. If you level up in the current situation, Hell will expand. Then the seal on Blue and Red would shake.]
The Red Administrator, who deliberately changed the automatic level-up system to manual.
It really seemed like he had no intention of breaking free right now.
[Well then, I'll return now.]
"Oh… okay."
[If you ever need my help, raise Red to 666. Then I can open my eyes again.]
"Ah, wait. Let me ask one thing before you go."
Seong Jihan hurriedly asked the disappearing eye.
"In your view, can I defeat the Green Administrator with my current power?"
[Combat isn't my field, but I can give a definite answer to this question.]
The Red Administrator's eye flashed as it was about to disappear.
[It's impossible with your power alone. If you break Blue and Red's seal and fully utilize the Hell, maybe, but then you'd be consumed by me.]
"Is she that strong?"
[She's strong, but… She also drains life force from all living beings in the World Tree Alliance. So until the Alliance is completely annihilated, she absolutely won't die.]
Elves already showed incredible vitality, but
The World Tree was leeching life force from such beings.
"Then, if I continue terror attacks like today?"
[Your chances would improve, but it's better to wait until you steal the Blue Sword. If you fight before that, you won't be able to handle Hell…]
Sssss…
The Red Administrator disappeared after giving this final advice.
Seong Jihan just blinked at Blue and Red, which had returned to normal.
'This guy, why is he so cooperative?'
This being that once tried to devour Seong Jihan.
Now he was insisting that Seong Jihan should be wary of him.
Moreover, even though he could take over this body if Seong Jihan fought Yggdrasil,
He was actually cautioning against it.
'Of course, I shouldn't trust those words 100%, but… for now, I should use his help since it's beneficial.'
Thinking this, Seong Jihan decided,
'Well then, shall we head back for today?'
Crackle…
He opened a red portal to return.
And as he entered it,
Kim Jihun's room immediately appeared.
Seong Jihan looked at the darkened window and checked the time.
'If it's midnight… about 6 hours have passed?'
So it took that long to subdue 4 World Tree Alliance planets, talk with the Red Administrator, and return.
'If it only took this much time, I could go terrorize them every night while sleeping.'
The Eternity stat was also unlocked now.
When Red was lacking, he could throw World Trees into Hell, and when there was excess Red, he could absorb it himself.
Concluding this, Seong Jihan looked at Kim Jihun's body again.
'They said he'd be bedridden for days, but he's still powerless.'
At this rate, he would sleep soundly till morning, so there was time to spare.
'Then, I should go terrorize some more.'
The Red Administrator recommended stopping here for today, but,
That was about not absorbing more Red.
Increasing the Eternity stat was a different matter.
Zzzing…
Seong Jihan opened another portal and went around Alliance planets.
'3 more… 7 in total, huh.'
In one day, he annihilated World Trees on 7 planets before returning.
The next morning.
Seong Jihan tallied up yesterday's harvest.
'Eternity is 26. Didn't increase much.'Th.ê most uptod/at𝓮 n𝒐vels a/re published on n(0)velbj)n(.)c/o/m
Eternity, which increased by 2 for high-grade B-class World Trees,
And only by 1 for lower grades.
Seong Jihan, who visited one B-grade and two lower-grade places additionally,
Only raised his Eternity stat by 4 yesterday.
Compared to the enormous life force possessed by World Trees, the absorption efficiency was quite poor, but,
There was a reason for this.
'If I devoured this whole, Yggdrasil might detect it.'
Yggdrasil, who sucked up life force from all over the universe through World Trees.
If he ate it all up, he might be detected by Yggdrasil.
He had to trim off all the small branches, refine it, and then absorb,
So the Eternity stat wasn't very efficient considering he had consumed World Trees.
'Well, I can just keep going around occasionally to gain ability.'
The important thing was not being detected by Yggdrasil.
Thinking this, Seong Jihan raised Kim Jihun's body.
'He's better after sleeping soundly, but his strength hasn't fully returned.'
Still, he could move around inside the house at least.
Seong Jihan, in Kim Jihun's body, turned on the smartphone.
Then,
From the morning, the news on the portal site was all about him.
'Why such a fuss. Again.'
Kim Jihun, the first Korean male Half-Elf to achieve 20% compatibility.
He was newsworthy enough just for that, but,
[Colonial Government designates player 'Kim Jihun' as 'Special Management Target']
With the news that Namsan's Colonial Government officially designated Kim Jihun as a 'Special Management Target',
He was consuming all the world's attention.
[Dungeon suppression device deactivation plan expected to take a step back. Stock market soaring]
[Who is the male Half-Elf, 'Kim Jihun'? The prodigy who achieved 20% compatibility for the first time in Korea]
[Overseas guilds show deep interest in recruiting Kim Jihun. American First negotiation team spotted at Incheon Airport]
-Wow, I didn't know this person would hit it big like this;
-For real, I thought he'd definitely fail since he came without plastic surgery lol
-Some old man was criticizing why he didn't join a guild… The situation turned completely opposite.
-Is he going overseas?
-Paparazzi caught him with the Daegi Guild master, isn't he going there?
-kekeke. What old Daegi Guild, of course he's going overseas.
A 20% compatibility alone was outstanding, but with the Colonial Government directly saying they'd care for him,
His value had already skyrocketed beyond what Korean guilds could afford.
There were several photos circulating of the Daegi Guild master and Lim Gayeong supporting Kim Jihun,
But people were convinced they couldn't hold onto this Special Management Target.
'Looks like living quietly is out of the question this time too.'
Seeing the media frenzy, it was similar to when he was active as Seong Jihan before.
Seong Jihan was skimming through the articles when he frowned at the mention of overseas guilds.
'Dealing with these guys is troublesome too.'
Whatever treatment overseas guilds offer, in the end it's just more money.
Now that Seong Jihan's inventory was open, he was overflowing with GP.
Of course, the money Kim Jihun could use was another story.
'I don't have anything to spend money on anyway.'
Even as Seong Jihan, he just kept accumulating money.
Why would Kim Jihun be any different?
He was planning to keep living in Sword Palace where his sister and Yoon Seah lived anyway.
His choice of the Daegi Guild was inevitable.
'A guild right below my home. How convenient.'
Rather than being bothered by other guild negotiation teams coming,
He should just go down to the Daegi Guild and confirm his membership.
Having made this decision, Seong Jihan called the number Lee Hayeon had written down.
"Ms. Lee Hayeon, this is Kim Jihun."
[Ah, yes! Are you feeling better? You looked really exhausted yesterday…]
"I feel better after sleeping. There's a lot of news, so I was wondering if I could finalize guild membership today?"
[Yes. What? Today?]
"Yes. If you let me know the time, I'll get dressed and come down now."
[Ah, um. Just a moment, we need to adjust the conditions…]
"Just offer something reasonable. If it's too low, you can give me some shares or something."
[Ah… I see. Alright! Then… how about 12 o'clock?]
12 o'clock.
He guessed they had a lot to prepare.
"Okay. I'll come down then."
Seong Jihan confirmed the appointment time and ended the call.
'There's an awkward amount of time left.'
Maybe he should analyze Kim Jihun's Blue in the meantime.
As Seong Jihan was thinking about what to do with the spare time,
Beep. Beep beep.
The sound of someone entering the passcode came from the front door.
'Is it my sister?'
The only person who knows this house's passcode was Seong Jiah, after all.
As Seong Jihan was thinking this,
Ding ding.
A warning sound indicated the wrong passcode was entered.
'Did they come to the wrong house?'
If it was a mistake, they would go somewhere else.
Seong Jihan thought so, but,
Beep. Beep beep.
As the passcode was entered and failed repeatedly, he sighed deeply and went to the front door.
Click!
"Who is it?"
And as he opened the door,
"…Ah."
There stood a blonde woman.
Sophia was standing there with a surprised look on her face.