Chapter 256

Chapter 256

The Arvis Server was so difficult to enter that Cha Jin-Hyeok could not even bring his colleague with him.

After hearing that news, Kang Eun-Woo felt very sad. “Imagine how great the photos would be if I could capture you in a new scenery...”

“...”

“Do you think there is a way for me to sneak into the Arvis Server?” he asked.

“Into Arvis?”

“Couldn’t it be possible?”

“I mean, you can try it, if you want to get beheaded and die.”

“I think I can use a few photos of you as a bribe to get myself smuggled in.”

“...” These days, Jin-Hyeok was sometimes more afraid of Kang Eun-Woo than of Wang Yu-Mi. That look in Eun-Woo’s eyes was that of a madman. Now that Jin-Hyeok was just an ordinary Player, he sometimes found himself afraid of someone with that kind of look.

‘I need to be careful of that look.’

To be precise, the frightening part wasn’t Eun-Woo, but the passion that he possessed. Such passion had the power to spread to those around him.

‘I must not be contaminated.’

For some reason, the number of crazy people around Jin-Hyeok seemed to be increasing, and the more that happened, the more Jin-Hyeok resolved to stay grounded, living as a sane person with common sense.

Before leaving for Arvis, Jin-Hyeok had a meeting with Han Sae-Rin in a coffee shop in Yeonhui-dong.

‘Ah...!’

Sae-Rin was wearing a cute one-piece dress, her long hair let down. She also wore subtle makeup. People in the coffee shop glanced at her as they passed by, and Jin-Hyeok felt as if he was about to get goosebumps.

‘Why is she acting like this?’

Even her walk was different than usual. The comrade who had fought through battles with him now had gone crazy, appearing demure and ladylike. He could not understand why she was pretending to be pretty, flipping her hair.

‘Why are all the people around me going mad?’

Sae-Rin spoke with a slightly flushed face. “So, this is a date, right?”

“...It’s a meeting.”

“Yeah, a date disguised as a meeting, hehe.”

Jin-Hyeok grimaced. He wanted to get away from this place as soon as possible.

‘But I still need advice from her.’

“What should I be careful of in Arvis?” Jin-Hyeok asked.

“Um... other women?”

That was when Jin-Hyeok realized why she was acting like this. ‘So, this is why she dressed up.’

Sae-Rin was a Player who could see two or three steps ahead. So, she had dressed up nicely for a reason. It was a warning to be cautious if someone acted like her in the Arvis Server.

“Especially be wary of beautiful women,” she added.

“I know.”

Seduction techniques had always been a very powerful tool, so it was necessary for Jin-Hyeok to be cautious. Sae-Rin always showed meticulousness, starting with the basics.

“Ah, about Swampland No.1, If I were him, I think I would have run away. It would be hard to face you alone without the help of No.2 and No.3,” Sae-Rin continued.

“...”

“But he was spotted in the Arvis Server yesterday. Also, there is no record of Swampland No.1 requesting assistance from the Player Hunter Association, where he is a member.”

“Player Hunter Association? Isn’t that a villain organization?”

“It’s a bit ambiguous, but it seems to be officially recognized as an association. It has even been invited to the Arvis 20 Alliances meetings.”

Jin-Hyeok tilted his head in confusion. ‘I’ve been an active Player for a long time, but...’

He should have at least heard of the Player Hunter Association if it was part of the Arvis 20 Alliances, but this was the first time he had heard of such an association.

“When was the association established?” Jin-Hyeok asked.

“About six months ago?”

“So, it’s a totally new association, then?”

“Yeah.”

Things had changed a bit from before his regression. Before his regression, the Arvis 20 Alliances did not have a Player Hunter Association.

“Anyway, it looks like Swampland No.1 is planning something. Seems like he is waiting for you to go there.” Sae-Rin became a bit more serious. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and her lips pressed together. Jin-Hyeok knew that expression well.

‘That is the look she gives right before giving me really important advice.’

When she made that expression, ideas helpful for an operation would pour out. This time, too, Sae-Rin was sure to give some excellent advice.

Finally, she spoke. “...Am I not pretty?”

Her expression was very serious.

***

The Great Leader of Scanorbia, Khan, welcomed Kim Chul-Soo. “Welcome, the Considerately Mad Saint!”

In Scanorbia, Chul-Soo was known as the Considerately Mad Saint. Players affiliated with the MK Foundation who specialized in farming had taught various agricultural techniques to Scanorbian warriors in exchange for land. Since then, Scanorbia had managed to escape from famine and was transforming into a self-sufficient Server. Naturally, Khan’s position had become even more solidified.

It was Jin-Hyeok’s first time seeing this Player.

‘Was there a Level 200 Farmer in the Earth Server?’

“They say he has the ability to revive dead plants.”

“Actually, the harvest turned out really great with that guy’s help.”

“He seems to have a very rare ability.”

[LV209/Kimaev/Arborist/Savior of Trees]

His Job was written in red. It was the first time Jin-Hyeok had seen a 9-Star Farmer.

‘Kimaev...’

It was a name he had never heard before.

***

Upon arriving at Arvis, Jin-Hyeok found that Marshmallow’s invitation was of a high enough grade that the wait was not long.

“Please come this way.” A tiger beastkin in a navy uniform guided Jin-Hyeok.

‘The warp portal is managed like an airport.’

The term universe’s most powerful Server seemed very suitable for Arvis. It was quite different from Earth’s warp portals.

‘They even manage entry very strictly.’

Jin-Hyeok stood in front of the Server Entry desk. A rhinoceros beastkin, also clad in a navy uniform, was seated there. She spoke in a monotone voice. “Permit.”

Jin-Hyeok handed over the invitation. The rhinoceros beastkin examined the invitation without a word.

Even after a couple of minutes, there was no response.

“Is there something wrong?” Jin-Hyeok asked.

“...” The rhinoceros beastkin still did not respond.

Time passed again. After five minutes, the rhinoceros beastkin finally spoke. “Signature.”

‘Signature?’ Jin-Hyeok tilted his head in confusion. ‘Am I supposed to sign the invitation?’

The beastkin’s horn was tinted pink. Clearly, the beastkin was feeling embarrassed. “So... My shift just ended...”

Her voice changed a bit too. The rhinoceros beastkin continued, “Could you please give me your autograph? I am your fan, Mr. Chul-Soo.”

“...I see.” Jin-Hyeok received a blank paper from the beastkin and signed it. “What is your name?”

The rhinoceros beastkin stood up with her bulky body, responding shyly. True to her rhinoceros nature, she was huge. “It’s Liling. Liling Edelweiss.”

***

Jin-Hyeok felt very pleased. ‘They recognize me even in the Arvis Server?’

This was incredibly encouraging. Even the most famous foreign actors were often not recognized abroad. However, to have someone recognize him and request an autograph in a foreign Server, not just a foreign country, was something else.

‘People don’t recognize me like they do in Korea, but still.’

Arvis gave off the vibe of a futuristic city from a science fiction story. The streets were bustling with robots and beastkins, and quite a few individuals who appeared to be Mages roamed the roads. High-rise buildings were plentiful, and mechanical vehicles flew through the sky in an orderly manner.

Jin-Hyeok’s heart raced with excitement. He recorded everything.

[Earth’s First Glimpse into the Arvis Server.]

However, the System started to stutter, and...

[Earth’s First Glimpse into the Arvis Server.]

The recording stopped abruptly. Attempts to restart it were futile.

‘Wait, can this be?’

A similar thing had happened to him before. It was like the time when the American Ruler, Emperor, had interfered with the livestream. At the time, Jin-Hyeok had thought he needed to beat Emperor up to find a more foolproof method to record next time. If beating did not work, he was considering using Taming (Physical) more actively.

‘But what should I do now?’

Even if he was not livestreaming, he needed to record video footage. He could not let someone else snatch the Earth’s first title.

‘I need to figure this out.’

It turned out that only those with permission could record videos in the Arvis Server. However, little information was available on how to obtain such permission. He could not leave without recording footage. That would be an unforgivable act for a Streamer.

‘Huh?’

Up ahead, a rhinoceros beastkin with a hefty physique was walking lightly. Despite her light steps, the ground thudded with each step.

“Liling!”

Instead of the stiff navy uniform, she was now wearing a dress adorned with frills. Hearing Jin-Hyeok’s voice, Liling whirled around. Exaggerating a bit, a wind seemed to stir around her. She was holding the autograph Jin-Hyeok had given her, now neatly laminated and clutched to her chest.

Liling roared.

Woo!

She sounded more like an elephant than a rhinoceros. “You remembered my name!”

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

Liling charged toward Jin-Hyeok with a recklessness that belied her size.