Only two days remained before they would leave the Chapel of Beginnings in Territory 1.
In truth, their training was already complete.
The priests of the Hundredfold Balance Society had imparted basic knowledge of Atlantis and fundamental combat techniques to the new Exiles.
While two weeks of training was hardly sufficient to survive in this world, it was all they could afford. This world showed no mercy.
How lively.
The Chapel of Beginnings was now bustling not only with the new Exiles but also with veteran Exiles affiliated with various Legions operating in Atlantis.
Their purpose was simple: to recruit talented Exiles.
Fewer than a hundred new Exiles probably join a proper Legion right from the start.
Not all Legions are good places. Some of them prey on naive new Exiles, trying to exploit their ignorance.
I slumped onto a bench in the garden of the Chapel of Beginnings. Unlike Kang Myungjin, I hadn't concealed my strength, which had earned me a reputation as one of the most promising talents. Just moments ago, I'd been swamped by Exiles trying to recruit me into their Legions.
I politely declined them all, claiming I'd already decided on a Legion. In truth, I planned to join Kang Myungjin's Legion.
As I sat on the bench, trying to avoid further hassle, someone approached me.
The Lord of the Heavens watches over you.
The man had curly golden hair and snow-white skin. He stood over 190 cm tall, with a lean, muscular build. A beauty mark beneath his left eye added to his handsome features.
I tensed as I recognized him.
Alterio Kephalas... Did he come to the Chapel of Beginnings to meet me?
Alterio was a high-ranking member of Tetrix, one of Atlantis's most influential Legions. Tetrix controlled over thirty Territories.
"May I have a moment?"
"...Ye. Of course."
Alterio immediately plopped down beside me.
"I am Alterio of the Tetrix Legion."
"...I'm Sung Yujin. Do you have business with me?"
"Are you interested in joining the Tetrix Legion?"
"I apologize, but I've already committed to joining another Legion."
Alterio nodded. Unlike other Legions, he didn't try to wheedle me into joining or waste time with empty flattery.
Perhaps this was the arrogance of a major Legion after all, the top Legion in Atlantis was already established.
"Is that all you came for?"
"No. I came to see you. As a fellow Contractor of the Lord of the Heavens, I was curious about the kind of person you are."
This was likely his true purpose. Alterio was too formidable a figure to come solely for recruitment.
Alterio, the Golden Lightning.
With over a decade of experience, he was a powerhouse in Atlantis whom no one could afford to underestimate.
And like me, he was a Contractor of the Lord of the Heavens.
"What's your impression of me? I'm curious to know how the Golden Lightning evaluates me."
"...I don't know."
"Huh?"
His answer was unexpected. I had assumed he would either be disappointed in me or impressed by my abilities. From his perspective, I was just a weakling, but compared to other rookie Exiles, I was exceptionally skilled.
"You haven't even left the Chapel of Beginnings yet. My judgment isn't sharp enough to assess you based on mere observation."
"...Ah. Right. That makes sense."
My expression turned strange.
What the hell did this guy come here for?
"I thought you'd pick a fight with me when you got close."
"That's impossible. This is our first meeting. There's no reason for us to be hostile. Besides, Exiles fundamentally share the same goal."
"You mean conquering all of Atlantis and returning to Earth?"
"Exactly. We can't stay in Atlantis forever. This world..."
Alterio trailed off, seemingly deciding it was too early to reveal more.
I could guess what he was about to say.
Living in Atlantis forever without conquering it a thought that must have crossed everyone's mind at least once. After all, who would willingly endure hardship and risk their lives?
But the System isn't so lenient. If it deems the Exiles incapable of conquering Atlantis, it will mercilessly destroy the entire world.
"The Collapse doesn't mean destruction."
Every living being in Atlantis will die, including the Exiles.
And then the next iteration of Atlantis will begin.
Only a select few know this truth.
"If this were to become public knowledge, it would cause all sorts of problems."
There would undoubtedly be reckless individuals who, convinced the conquest is doomed to fail, would resort to committing crimes.
Alterio rose from his seat.
"Leaving already?"
"I merely came to see the Exile who made a contract with the Lord of the Heavens."
"Farewell."
"...As a senior of Atlantis, let me offer some advice. The Lord of the Heavens is a cold-hearted Divine Throne. If the Contractor displeases him, he'll discard them without hesitation."
Even the Divine Thrones don't break contracts lightly. But for someone like the Lord of the Heavens, the rules are different. Moreover, even without formally breaking the contract, he could simply stop caring about his Contractor altogether.
"I've met seven Contractors of the Lord of the Heavens, including you."
"...So there are eight Contractors in total, including you."
This surprised me.
It wasn't unusual for a Divine Throne of high status to have multiple Contractors, but eight was quite a lot. Usually, they only had two or three at most.
"Five of them were abandoned by the Lord of the Heavens. Remember this: the Lord of the Heavens despises weakness."
Alterio began to drift further away.
"Alterio, did you know? The Lord of the Heavens favors blondes."
"...What?"
Alterio turned to me, his brow furrowed. He looked as if I'd said something completely out of the blue.
For the record, Alterio was blonde.
"Just saying," I shrugged.
"...Was that a joke? How pointless."
Alterio vanished.
I sat blankly on the bench for a while before asking the Lord of the Heavens, "Lord of the Heavens, are you going to abandon me?"
I waited several minutes, but there was no response. Either the Lord of the Heavens wasn't watching me, or he considered my question unworthy of an answer.
The latter seemed more likely. Two Contractors had met; it was impossible for him not to be interested.
I hope he abandons me. Then I'll have an excuse to fuck Hera. And even without the Lord of the Heavens, I can still use my powers thanks to Thunderbolt.
Even without the Lord of the Heavens, I still had the King of the Demonic Heavens. Though not quite on the same level, the King of the Demonic Heavens was undoubtedly a high-ranking deity.
The King of the Demonic Heavens has donated 10,000 AP.
"The Lord of the Heavens and I both find you amusing. It's the first time since the founding of Atlantis that we've seen a human as entertaining as you."
"Really?"
The King of the Demonic Heavens has donated 10,000 AP.
"The Lord of the Heavens has been watching you almost constantly."
I nodded. That made sense. I always felt like the Lord of the Heavens was watching me whenever I had sex with a woman.
I need to worry more about the King of the Demonic Heavens than the Lord of the Heavens. That bastard is definitely going to stab me in the back someday.
The night before I left the Chapel of Beginnings.
Concealed by my Deception (SS) skill, I walked down the pitch-black corridor. I stopped in front of a mirror.
A mirror that, when splashed with hot water, could transport you to Area 406.
It'd be a waste to just leave this behind.
I glanced around, detached the mirror from the wall, and stowed it in my Inventory. By tomorrow morning, they'd realize it was stolen, but they couldn't stop the Exiles from leaving.
Kang Myungjin will probably figure out I stole it.
Only Kang Myungjin and I knew about this mirror's special properties.
And Kang Myungjin wouldn't say a word. We were in the same Legion, after all. Besides, in the original story, he steals this mirror himself. It's incredibly useful depending on how you use it.
I should visit Area 406 occasionally and bang the Village Chief's daughter-in-law.
I grinned and vanished down the corridor.
A-Plan.
That was the name of the Legion Kang Myungjin had created.
The origin of the name was simple: forming and operating the Legion was Kang Myungjin's Plan A.
I had decided to join Kang Myungjin.
A-Plan consisted of seven members:
Kang Myungjin, Lee Minjung, Kim Mangi, myself, Yu Seohee, Yu Inha, and Ju Seohyun.
Lee Minjung was Kang Myungjin's clingy girlfriend, while Kim Mangi was a man in his thirties whom Kang Myungjin had brought along. On Earth, Kim Mangi had been an ordinary office worker, but I didn't underestimate him.
If Kang Myungjin brought him, he can't be ordinary.
Kim Mangi's combat skills were mediocre, but he was a natural administrator.
Since a Legion was, in some ways, similar to a company, someone to handle administration and logistics was essential. Kim Mangi would make an excellent administrative and logistics officer.
"Kang Myungjin offered me the position of Sub-Master, but I refused."
The higher the position, the more responsibilities one must bear.
Sub-Master.
The title sounds impressive, but in reality, it means nothing. Kang Myungjin pursues a small, elite force, so he has very few Legion members under his command.
As a condition for joining Kang Myungjin's Legion, I insisted that Yu Seohee, Yu Inha, and Ju Seohyun be included as well.
Kang Myungjin immediately accepted my condition. Yu Seohee aside, Yu Inha possesses considerable talent as a Magician. Moreover, Kang Myungjin was aware that Ju Seohyun would later be hailed as the Sword Empress, a genius of the blade.
From Kang Myungjin's perspective, securing both me and Ju Seohyun was a reason to welcome us with open arms.
After leaving the Chapel of Beginnings, we rented a cheap house on the outskirts of the City of the Beginning.
Kang Myungjin told everyone we'd be staying here for about a month, gathering necessary supplies and conducting combat training.
After hearing Kang Myungjin's words, I returned to my room and muttered to myself, "Game terminated."
Back in reality, I reflexively reached for my smartphone. I paused the game and slumped onto the sofa.
The difference in strength between my character in God's Atlantis and my real-world self was stark. As soon as I returned to reality, I felt my body grow heavy.
It'll take a few hours to get used to this.
It felt like the power I'd possessed had vanished. An unpleasant sensation.
Sung Yujin
Level: 46
Strength: 30
Stamina: 30
Agility: 28
Intelligence: 25
Vitality: 35
Mana: 30
Available Points: 57
"Since there's an issue with the Demonic Heavenly Art... I'll stick to the original plan and upgrade Mental Resistance first."
Mental Resistance Lv.4
Gains resistance to mental abnormalities. Possesses resistance to mental interference.
I spent 50 points. Was it just my imagination, or did my head feel clearer?
That left me with 7 points.
A meager amount. I could upgrade Agility or Intelligence, but it felt pointless to raise either by just one point.
"Right now, I'm drawn to the Random Draw."
I had a good feeling about it. Without hesitation, I selected the Random Draw.
Five of the items were ordinary, but two were absolute jackpots. I'd more than made my money back.
As expected, my luck never betrays me.
Auto Camera
This Auto Camera, equipped with advanced artificial intelligence, can fly freely through the air and capture high-definition video. It operates by reading its Master's brainwaves. Master registration is required.
Price: 900 Points
? Warning
Requires charging. Can be charged with electricity. Operates for up to 36 hours on a full charge.
The Auto Camera was a round device about the size of a child's fist.
I fiddled with it, noticing a USB port on the back.
Master registration happened automatically when I gripped the camera tightly.
The camera floated into the air.
"Film that."
As I focused my thoughts, the camera floated into the air and began filming every corner of my house.
"Heh heh heh. This will make filming sex videos even better."
Random Mix Ticket
Mixes various creative works into a single base work. The Random Mix Ticket is completely random.
Price: 7,000 Points
? Caution
You must have an available Play Slot.
The number of creative works that will be mixed is unpredictable.
There is a high chance of mixing works from similar genres. Mixing works may alter some of the original content and settings of the creative works.
The Random Mix Ticket resembled a movie ticket.
Without much thought, I tore it open.
Since it's random anyway, tearing it now or later makes no difference.
If I didn't like the resulting creative work, I could just set it to auto-play and reach the ending quickly.
Using Random Mix Ticket.
Base creative work selected.
Base creative work: Ascension to Enlightenment (?????)