Chapter 194

“It’s not fun?”

“Would it be? Having everything laid out before me, spoon-fed by someone at my side, how could that be enjoyable?”

“I see. The foundation of fun begins with the lack of knowledge.”

The guide began to wave his right hand through the air, a movement without apparent meaning. However, considering there was a developer on the other side.

‘...Seems like he’s taking notes.’

It was clear he was jotting down Seojin’s words.

“And another thing. When do you find enjoyment? As a part of this world.”

“A part of this world?”

“As a player enjoying the game.”

“Is this a survey?”

“Survey? No, it’s an opportunity. As a reward for the vanguard. An opportunity to voice your opinions.”

“I’m busy.”

“This opportunity is given only to a select few.”

“Then I’ll pass on this opportunity.”

“...It’s not just an opportunity, but also an obligation. If you could just answer a few questions...”

“Now you’re being honest. So if I don’t answer, you’ll keep me here?”

No immediate response came back. His sense of panic was palpable. It was a thoughtful gift, but Seojin had sharply cut through, after all.

“...No, I won’t keep you here.”

“Even if you did, I wouldn’t answer. I have no intention of cooperating with you.”

“Why?”

“Would you want to if you were me? After being dragged away from enjoying your game, to be forced into answering some sort of survey?”

“...I was giving you an opportunity.”

“Is it that hard to understand that I don’t need it?”

“You might need it. The reward could be equipment, a skill, or an item related to the quest you’re undertaking.”

“That’s why I don’t need it. You’ve been mistaken from the start.”

Seojin clicked his tongue and continued.

“Just as knowing everything makes it boring, if it’s too easy, it’s also not fun. Especially if that reward isn’t earned through normal gameplay.”

“...This too, is not fun?”

“Precisely, because a game should be moderately challenging, annoying, and complicated. Only then can you truly enjoy the process of overcoming it.”

“Wasn’t the process painful?”

“It was just right. I thought it was a well-made game, but hearing you now, I wonder what went wrong.”

“Alright... the process was just right.”

The guide began taking notes again, looking sufficiently pleased.

“Then, tell me.”

“I’ve answered two questions. These are answers anyone, not just me, could give you.”

“One more thing.”

“No.”

“Do you understand the meaning embedded in this tower?”

This was outright obstinate. Seojin stared at the guide with a look that could only be described as pitiful. It wasn’t hard to answer, but this method was deeply flawed.

Would you like to log out?

“Hey, wait...!”

“Let’s do this the proper way. It’s as ugly as the developers crawling in to play god.”

“That wasn’t my intention!”

“There are many ways to do that. The official website, personal email. Or create a character using the regular route and send a whisper to me... Anyway, I don’t like this.”

“...I see. This method is not to your liking. Why do you find it so offensive?”

That was a question that could be answered.

“It’s disruptive to immersion.”

The guide’s face lit up. He hadn’t intended to ask that from the start. With a skeptical look, Seojin turned his finger back to the system window. He didn’t like the delay in his quest. But being dragged along against his will was even less appealing.

At that moment, the guide said, “Wait.”

“...?”

“There, I left the door open. As you said, I shall look for a ‘normal’ method. Also...”

The guide’s expression bizarrely changed, as if he had to perform some dreadful act. Then, “Ehem, thank you. For answering.”

At the absurd reaction, Seojin couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

* * *

‘That was more cooperative than I expected.’

Seojin thought as he descended the staircase of light.

A genius developer.

He clearly saw Seojin himself as an exceptional variable, eager to hear the opinions of such a variable.

‘Though I’m not sure what he plans to do with them.’

At a simple guess, it seemed aimed at enhancing the gameplay experience. But Seojin felt that the developer’s approach was not solely for that purpose.

‘There must be some crazy reason.’

It would align with the public image and also fit the person who couldn’t properly express gratitude.

‘This is good. It means I’m significant enough that he’d resort to actions he’d otherwise avoid.’

And,

‘He asked what the tower meant.’

The developer asked, and Seojin only answered in a dry, uninterested manner.

Yet, at that question, Seojin too had to suppress his curiosity, with much difficulty.

‘That’s the key. The theme that runs through this game. The developer’s crappy philosophy, in which knowing it could change the gameplay.’

Seojin had always sensed it. Important structures invariably took the form of towers, and he had noted the strong continuity with previous works.

‘...I think I know.’

He had enough clues not to be in the dark, but he wasn’t concerned about it yet.

Seojin descended the stairs. It took a bit longer than expected, but it was better than feared.

“...You’ve arrived!”

“Fortunately, it ended quickly. Anything special happen while you waited?”

“Nothing.”

The Staff of Faith energetically shook his head, a smile mixed with anticipation and anxiety on his lips.

“Let’s get straight to the point. The god who bestowed power upon you Harry, has directly sent a message. We have not been utilizing the grace bestowed upon us properly.”

“...Directly!”

Harry’s mouth dropped open.

“You mean you had a conversation?!”

“A conversation, yes. Don’t blame yourself. It’s because I was an adventurerer.”

Harry nodded vigorously, now fully convinced.

“I’m fine. Thanks to the topic you introduced.”

“That’s good then. Anyway, we talked... about those records you found while digging. The ones written in divine language.”

“...Yes? Could it be?”

“Bring them all. I’ll read them and tell you about it.”

Harry couldn’t hide his shock. Not from envy, but sheer astonishment. Having a conversation with a god was something he had hoped for, but he thought it possible only through divine grace.

“...I’ll prepare everything, without missing a single one.”

Your relationship with Staff of Faith Harry is Firm Ally.

The message popped up.

Skipping over “Friendly” and “Very Friendly” directly to a “Firm Ally” status. It was clearly designed to transition at the moment Harry was shown those records.

“Thank you. And before that, I have something to ask.”

“Please, speak!”

“What exactly is the reason we can’t descend from here? And why have the qualifications to enter been made so stringent?”

Seojin was curious about this. Asking Luna directly would have been straightforward, but he refrained, fearing he had a limited number of questions.

Fortunately, Harry knew the answer.

“The reason for the stringent mechanisms is that we hoped this fact wouldn’t spread far. The emperor respects the Pantheon. He’s unaware of this.”

“It wouldn’t be the same if he knew, you’re saying?”

“Any element threatening the imperial authority has been eradicated from this land.”

“I understand. And the reason you and Aikora cannot leave this tower?”

“It’s the price we pay for the power received.”

“A restriction placed by the god?”

“Exactly. The god who sheltered me wished for me not to leave. It’s uncertain when, and what visitors may come.”

“Can’t leave the house empty in case a guest arrives.”

“Aikora is in the same situation.”

Luna wanted Harry to guard this place.

Harry did so, but he was also human.

Considering what might happen if he faced issues, he took out insurance in Aikora.

“Even if I fall, Aikora can welcome any visitors.”

It was something Seojin could fully understand. It also revealed how desperate Luna was. Given her character, she must have trembled with a heavy heart even when making such a request.

His questions were answered, so Seojin moved to the next step.

“Let’s see those records.”

* * *

Harry’s claim of being an archaeologist wasn’t false.

“I’ve brought everything. It took some time.”

“...That’s a lot.”

He piled up an absurdly vast number of documents in front of Seojin.

If not for Harry’s overflowing divine power, carrying them would have been impossible.

“...Will you be able to decipher them?”

Seojin’s grim expression seemed to worry him.

“I’ll be able to. It’s just, there’s so much...”

“...”

“...So much that I’m excited. It means we’ve been given so much information. I’ll focus now.”

Nod.

Harry moved to a corner. He even watched his breathing, lest he disturb Seojin. And Seojin began to read the divine records.

-Black_Mountain_Night is a fraud trader!

-LOL. Get a life~

-Isn’t Midgard his life?

-Recruiting for Onyxia raid at 9 PM~~ DM me your specs

‘...It’s chat logs.’

This was what occupied Harry’s storeroom under the guise of divine records. Thankfully, it only included public chat. Party, guild chats, or whispers were not included.

‘Do I have to read all this?’

A moment of doubt washed over him. The volume was too massive. Reading it all seemed near impossible. Even if he somehow filtered out the core content, it would still take days, at least.

But then,

‘...Players weren’t the only gods.’

Seojin found his way.

Asgard.

A game dealing with the stories of gods, where the users were gods, but not the only ones capable of speech.

‘NPC conversations should be here too, right?’

He flipped the pages faster, skipping useless content to find mentions of quests and affinity.

And after a while,

“There it is.”

“...Did you find something?”

“Just a moment. I think I found it.”

I hate Luna. Why care for such selfish creatures like humans? You think so too, right? Then go and bring me 10 spikes from thorny bagworms. I need the medicinal effects, so return within 30 minutes!

It was a quest message and clearly stated who spoke and for what purpose.

Then, Seojin felt completely relieved.

“I found it. Exactly what we need.”