Capítulo 6: Paju, the City of Peace, Hope, and Madness
Grumbling… … .
I feel sore because I am hungry.
With a weak body of 5 strength and 5 health, just going down the mountain was the limit, and I was walking through the city center of Paju without any surprise if I collapsed at any moment.
'OMG… … At best, I raised my strength to 5, but it doesn't make much of a difference... … 'I'd rather improve my health!'
I need to rest quickly. And I need something to eat.
'What did you usually do in the beginning like this?'
It reminds me of various things I did while playing [Cthulhu World]. Because it's a game with so much to do… … I was able to play with a different concept and different theme every time.
Still, the initial play was mostly conducted here in Paju City. This is an area that is familiar to me.
Immediately after leaving the lab, I usually acted in accordance with the character's concept.
'It's a concept that suits the character… … .'
Shinhwa Kim, what kind of character concept do you like?
Back alley mercenary concept? Magic Tower's trainee concept? or not… … .
'If I were to choose the concept of a criminal, I would have caught an easy-going guy and [robbed his residence].'
NPCs killed in this world die as is. Unless someone revives it, it will not appear again even if it is related to an event or story later.
So, you can choose a house and kill the owner to take that house.
Although it is a complete criminal play, [Housing Stealing] is very useful. Depending on the house, useful buffs or artifacts may be hidden there. In fact, in the past, the [residence] list was shared. Of course, this is before all the users leave... … .
Come to think of it, there is a [serial killer's mansion] close to here.
'It would be useful if we could take over the serial killer's mansion... … . Because it was almost a hidden piece-level residence. [Murderer's Cleaver] is the only way to obtain it, and you can also receive the [Butcher's Sense] trait. Of course, there is a curse, but... … .'
[Murderer's Kitchen Knife] is a useful weapon even for wizards. The effect of blocking the opponent's magic and applying a debuff... … .
'Your thoughts are going somewhere else. 'Focus, focus!'
Once a game fanatic starts thinking about games, the chain of thoughts cannot be stopped. Stop, let's focus!
Anyway, you can't choose that option right away. If you commit murder and are caught, you will be wanted. There are police in this world too, but what I have to worry about more are the 'bounty hunters'.
The higher the bounty, the more likely you are to be attacked by incredibly powerful named NPCs.
These NPCs usually have abilities that are difficult to overcome, so if you get it wrong, it's really hard to beat.
'In the end, it's money, money. I need to get money and rest in a motel or something. 'I also eat delivery food and things like that.'
There are many ways to make money if you take the time, but your body is creaking with extremely low abilities.
I need rest right now.
The fastest way to overcome this crisis is... … .
'I need to use random encounters.'
There are quite a few dangerous areas in Paju City. In the game, when you go around those places, random encounters like gangsters will appear and try to extort money from you.
'They call him a bully, but his level is obvious. 'Let's catch him and extort money from him.'
This is a crime, but since it is a crime targeting criminals, the risk of being caught is low.
"good."
Raise your head and look around.
This is Paju City.
It is an entertainment district located in the rainy area of Paju.
In the real world, there would be a pension or an arboretum in the same place, but it was different here.
There are flashy and stimulating neon lights everywhere. These are provocative signs unique to entertainment districts.
People are bustling around under those signs.
"Sir, it's grilled skewers! "It tastes amazing because it's seasoned with special spices!"
A street vendor is seen offering unidentified meat to passers-by who are speaking an unintelligible foreign language. I don't know what kind of spices were used, but it gives off an exotic spicy and cold smell, but wow... … It's a disgusting scent to me.
"Hey, sexy mask guy over there, I smell magical power. Would you like me to exchange magic stones for you? Hey, wait! "I'll pay you a lot."
It's an illegal money changer... … . If I had brought the magic stone earlier, I wouldn't have had to worry about money. I feel sick.
'If I come back later... … .'
Thinking about climbing the mountain again with this body makes me dizzy. I guess I'll have to try leveling up a bit later.
"Ah, that Flame Dancer bastard, I can't believe he broke down there!"
"Hey, why on earth are you betting on such an old man? "Are you stupid?"
"No, that way the dividends are high! "Once in a lifetime, don't you know that?"
These are the guests who came out of the arena. There is an underground arena nearby. If you go down to the basement of the bar with the unlit sign over there, you can enter the arena and bet money... … You can also participate as a player.
This is Paju's nightlife.
Still, there are still no people who openly argue. It's a dangerous city if you get too involved with others. Today's Paju is a city of opportunity and pleasure.
Foreigners of all races and nationalities, and strangers so strange that one might almost think they were from the same Earth, settled in, and the complex and diverse cultures they brought with them and the bizarre technologies and knowledge derived from the Cthulhu mythical beings became entangled.
People wearing strange clothes, people with extraordinary abilities wearing strange equipment whose effectiveness is difficult to estimate.
Some even offer artifacts with magical powers.
Although it is a strange and unique city, it is a city that is very familiar to me. In fact, it felt like I had returned to my hometown.
Even on this street, my behavior is quite unusual. You can hear people whispering and whispering.
"Hey, look at that kid. "Is that really true?"
"Shh, Yanma, be careful not to hear."
I can hear it all, you bastards.
Ugh… … I'm not even angry. As he came down the mountain, he was wearing a dirty straitjacket and a large bag of bread, so he must have looked like a crazy person.
'I guess he's treated like a strange guy... … .'
Still, there are still no people who openly argue. It's a dangerous city if you get too involved with others.
You will have to go deeper to meet more aggressive and energetic guys.
'As expected, it's exactly the same as the game.'
The structure of the streets is exactly the same as the game.
Even the lines I heard in passing... … . Although the details are slightly different, people are saying almost the same things as the NPCs in the game.
Anyway, if it's the same as the game, in that arena... … After passing the trash can… … .
A hidden alley appears between the stalls.
It is a dank back alley filled with eerily thick darkness. I can feel the faint smell of blood hidden among the unpleasant smell of garbage.
"ha… … ."
Okay, let's go. Really, just one person should be caught.
* * *
It is an alley so dark that the light of the entertainment district, which was confusingly bright and colorful just a moment ago, is colorless.
This alley is not even on the map. It is a street created due to surplus space incorrectly created between buildings in the aftermath of reckless development. A real slum where the darkness of the city gathers.
Although it wasn't the official name, everyone called this dark street 'Trash Alley'.
"Useup… … ."
That's not important now.
'It's too hard… … . 'I lack human stamina.'
My arms and legs are numb and I want to sit down right now.
Even when I was working from home and playing games all the time, I didn't have a very strong body, but now my condition is still very bad!
'Is there nothing we can do about the five health aspects since it is roughly similar to or slightly better than that of a patient undergoing rehabilitation treatment? … .'
In some ways, I am truly a legend for still moving around in this body.
I've never walked there with my own feet, but it's not an unknown alley. If we want to start a fight in earnest, we have to go a little further in... … Maybe we can rest here for a while... … .
In the end, I couldn't stand it anymore and sat down in a corner. Because her posture suddenly changes, the pistol hidden in her arms gets caught.
South Korea is a country where guns are illegal.
That fact has not changed even in this virtual Republic of Korea that [Cthulhu World] embodies.
It seems like a great country that maintains public power and public order even in a world where monsters exist, but... … In reality, it's just a matter of turning a blind eye.
It is a world where surreal magic, superpowers, and monsters exist.
Even North Korea could not withstand the monsters' rampage and collapsed, leaving behind only traces of the country.
Paju was turned into a mess due to the influx of North Korean refugees and people with disabilities.
In such a situation, ordinary people who did not have any armed forces ignored public authority and armed themselves in some way to protect themselves in this dangerous city.
That's why in the world of [Cthulhu World], the rule of 'no firearms' is just don't carry them around openly... … Although it only has a certain meaning, it can get into trouble if you start to get involved in troublesome matters.
'It's something I can't use anyway... … .'
Ha, indeed. Does it make sense that you can't shoot a gun because your strength is low?
'Ah, now that my strength has increased to 5, do you think I can shoot a gun?'
Even if it's a bright apricot, a weapon is a weapon.
'It's too precious to throw it away when you don't know what you'll face.'
Just because there is magic, it is not a solution. There are enemies for whom magic does not work, and situations in which magic cannot be used can arise at any time.
Anyway, once I sit down, I don't want to get up. If I sleep here like this, I'll probably die... … ? You won't die from being robbed by a tramp, but if you carelessly sleep out on the street with 5 health, you will die from death.
Just as I was trying to muster up the strength to get up, I heard a strange sound from somewhere. It was a very small sound, but it was clearly audible. It must be thanks to the [Improved Vigilance] trait.
Puck- Puck-.
A noise similar to that heard when pounding meat with a fist. No, there is no way there is a dark back alley chef pounding meat in a place like this, so it must be the sound of a person being pounded.
When I raise my magic power and focus it on my ears, my senses instantly become more sensitive.
There is no need to use magic to enhance senses to this degree. It is enough to simply change the flow of magical power a little.
'Direction and distance... … It's roughly over there.'
Now all you have to do is go there... … Just go… … Cheer up, Kim Shinhwa! You can do it, Shinhwa Kim!
"Off… … Japanese… … Najaaaaa… … ."
It wasn't long before I found what I was looking for.
Three men were seen unilaterally beating a man.
"You weakling. "I told you to bring money, right?"
"… … please please!"
"please? What please? Want some medicine? Ha, what a funny bastard."
A sound of pleading.
Violent language, and one-sided assault.
To be precise, it was the largest of the three who wielded violence, and two people who appeared to be subordinates of the large man were watching.
Scum who extort money from the weak under the pretext of drugs, and occasionally satisfy their sadistic desires.
The person who got beaten up was also in bad condition, so he must have been a degenerate drug addict.
This is a trivial incident that cannot be included in the list of events.
'Anyway, if it's a drug event… … Where do you belong? Bongil Cheonpa? Or the Triad? 'It would be better if I just became an unaffiliated brat.'
"Hey, hey, hold it right there!"
Wow-.
"Wow… … Wow... … ."
A drug addict who was hit hard in the stomach vomited yellowish gastric fluid.
That actually seemed to stimulate them.
"Ah, Mr. Do you know how much these shoes cost? "You bastard, let's die today!"
Eventually a knife came out.
The abnormally excited big guy has no intention of stopping unless he finally sees blood today.
I had some reservations about using magic on humans rather than monsters, but if the targets were trash like that, it would be okay... … . Rather than being fellow human beings, they are waste materials that fit into the waste alley.
Still, I don't want to commit murder. Spells that would allow me to moderately control my strength came to mind. Just 'Kwawang!' Although it would be simple to just do it and sweep it all away, I plan to handle it quietly and with controlled force if possible.
Whatever it was, I didn't want to kill 'humans' for no reason, and I was worried about the risk of it coming back later.
The large gangster drew his sword and started going crazy, which distracted the attention of the subordinates who were watching, and taking advantage of the opportunity, he slowly - very slowly - approached the bald head on the outermost side.
The crown of the head is clearly exposed. It just so happens to be a good target.
[heating]
The red glowing magic shot from my left hand flies to the top of the bald man's head.
The effect is a level 0 basic magic that simply boils water in a specified location. But what if the blood at the top of your head boils?
Of course, just enough so that you don't die. The bald man, whose head was bright red like a boiled octopus, said, 'Huh... … .' He makes a groan and falls down.
"W-what is it?"
The hooded hoodlum, who had been giggling and boasting about his size, now looks at me in shock. Suppress them before they understand the situation! This time, I gather magical power into my right hand.
[Instill fear]
Black tentacle-like magical power wraps around the head of the hooded gangster.
It is a spell that injects forced fear and extreme illusions into the mind. The theme of the welcome is… … 'Cicadas crawl out of every orifice of your face'.
I also experienced cicadas once, and I really liked them. You should experience it too.
"Aww, wow!"
He begins to struggle, tears and snot streaming down his face. The glow was more intense than expected, so I missed the right moment to use the spell. Damn it, my body can't keep up with my thoughts.
"You bitch… … "What are you doing?"
Before I knew it, the large man was measuring the distance with a sword pointed at me. It seems that the stable posture holding the sword does not mean that he is a gangster.
"Standing around like a beggar covered in a bread bag… … . "Are you a drug addict too?"
If you let your guard down for a moment, you end up in a confrontation, but there is no need to face each other for a long time. 'Cicadas... … ! cicada… … !' While pushing the hooded hoodlum who was making such noises towards the large man, a flash of light erupted from his fingertips.
"Kaaak!"
And quick access… … I want to do it, but my body still doesn't obey... … . However, the large man who lost his sight due to the sudden flash of light was unable to block my approach.
He touches the large body and pours the completed magic into his body.
[Lightning]
If I could use level 1, I would have shot or sprayed lightning, but level 0 requires contact. But doesn't this mean that it only means holding a stun gun?
No, that's where it is. Anyway, take it, full blast! The magic power converted into lightning flows quickly.
"Aaaah!"
For ordinary people with no resistance, even this level of magic is fatal.
The large figure, struck by a bright blue electric shock, convulses abnormally, with bodily fluids pouring out from every orifice of its face.
The eyes, which are wide open, cannot withstand their own strength and blood vessels are bursting and blood is flowing.
"Off… … ."
Eventually, the big guy fell down and lost consciousness.
[You took down the gangsters who continued their dirty lifestyle by extorting innocent people. Since it happened in the dark, it may be difficult for many people to know about your good deed, but you have done a sufficiently just act.]
That message... … I've been thinking about this since last time, but somehow the focus is a little off... … ?
[You defeated the thugs. Gain experience.]
Since the size reacted quite sharply, I was hoping that I could level up, but it seems that I wasn't able to level up.
Leaving the drug addict crouching in the corner of the alley scratching himself, he started searching through the hoodlums' arms. First of all, the cash in your wallet... … Wow, I don't have much cash.
A bunch of credit cards stuffed into my wallet instead of money. Do criminals even pay with credit cards these days? Even if I take something like this, I can't use it… … .
The size, the hat, and the bald man's wallet were all put together... … The cash in my hands was about 200,000 won.
Since I was missing one thing, I bought a watch, a cell phone, and a gold necklace.
And you said they were expensive shoes, right? Haha, now the shoes are mine too.
Nothing much else came out of the big man and the hat, but something special came out of the arms of the bald man on the outermost side. White powder divided into small plastic bags. Oh, it's a magic powder that makes you feel good.
'How should I dispose of this? … .'
There are many ways to dispose of it. If you're careful, you may start a criminal route, or the drug distribution body may send a chaser. I don't want to hang out with those guys... … .
'Still, let's take care of it. 'Because I don't want to regret it forever like the magic gemstone in the lab.'
There seemed to be about 30 plastic bags containing drugs, and I threw one of them to the drug addict who had a greedy look in his eyes.
And then I put my finger on the mouth of my mask made of paper bag (even though you can't see my mouth...) and said.
"Shh."
He nodded desperately, clutching the envelope I threw to him, then fainted.
It must have been quite a scary sight, as the blue eye glow filled with magical power must have been burning through the hole in the corner of the eye.
Anyway, I got everything I needed.
Slurp-.
Dirty ceiling. cubbyhole.
"ah… … It was hard."
With trembling limbs, I was able to enter the unmanned hotel located in a dark alley.
I could have gotten a better room with the money I stole from the gangsters, but no matter how close Paju is to a lawless area, there would be no hotel that would accept a gunman wearing a paper bag. Even if it was a motel, it wouldn't have been easy, so I was fortunate to have an unmanned hotel.
To regain the strength to wash, I threw my arms and legs haphazardly on the damp bed and collapsed.
I wanted to ignore everything else and go to sleep, but various thoughts ran through my mind.
I roughly know the scenario of [Cthulhu World].
[Cthulhu World] advocates an open world system with a high degree of freedom, and players have the option of spending time doing nothing.
Of course, if you do that, what will come is unstoppable destruction and the end of the human world.
In the darkness of this world, there are cultists secretly plotting for the destruction of the world... … .
"Very, very, very much."
I can't stay still.
I have no choice but to move forward in a direction that is advantageous to me in some way.
'Should I continue like this and aim for the ending…? … ?'
Several endings come to mind.
'[Blood King] The ending is… … He died at the end.'
'The ending of [Infinite Prisoner] is… … It ends up being trapped forever in a prison between time and space... … .'
'[Master of the Basement] is pretty good... … Make a lot of money... … . No, you become undead in the end... … .'
'[The eradication of thought] is… … Breaking my brain... … .'
'Oh really!'
[Cthulhu World] is a game with a cosmic horror concept.
There are hundreds of endings, but all of them end up dead, crazy, or worse than both.
Yes.
I was trapped in a crazy game where all the endings were doom.
In the end, there is only one conclusion to be reached.
'You shouldn't continue to exist in this world.'
I have to escape from this world.
If you continue to exist in this world in any form, you will only be swayed by those terrible mythical beings.
I have to go back to the original world I lived in.
It is not something that can be completed in a short period of time.
I don't know if this is really a game world, or someone's prank imitating that world, but there must be a clue to escape somewhere.
We need to find that clue. Or a higher being who might know the method... … Maybe we need to talk to the beings of the abyss.
You also need to find various artifacts.
You'll probably need some mythical level stuff.
Is it possible to negotiate with a great race that has technology related to dimensional travel or time travel?
None of this is something a low-level wizard can do.
You'll need strength to survive even one day longer in this crazy, hardcore cosmic horror game.
And first of all, you will need an ID card and funds to guarantee the minimum level of activity.
after… … But I'm so tired now... … .
First of all, what I need right now is rest.
I fell asleep so slowly.
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