novelraw Chapter 32 : Cyber Psycho (1)
Chapter 32 : Cyber Psycho (1)
Chapter 32: Cyber Psycho (1)
Lake City was the vanguard of a class-based society.
It was, quite literally, a city where everything was unequal.
The Upper District replaced the sun that had lost its light by floating artificial luminous bodies in the sky. The Lower District at least enjoyed a portion of the right to sunlight through the trickle-down effect.
Only the Bottommost District was neglected.
When the children of the Upper District patted their greasy bellies like drums.
When the children of the Lower District slung their backpacks over their shoulders and commuted to school.
In the Bottommost District, it was everyday life for young vagrants to wander the streets hoping to pick up scraps.
…Hunger in a city that boasted cutting-edge technology—what nonsense was that? It was because their birthplace was the red-light district.
They were orphans, or bastards of such lowly status that they were no different from orphans. Even if they knew their mother’s face, it was common for them not to know who their father was.
In many ways, it was a dead neighborhood. The dazzling radiance bestowed by the sun was a distant ancient ruin.
And yet.
In a neighborhood that looked like a painted scene from the apocalypse, people began to walk around one day. And in broad daylight, at that! That wasn’t the only unprecedented novelty.
Chants spread through every alley. A passerby, curious about what it was, peeked furtively into an alley.
Then, an eerie scene was revealed.
“……?”
For some reason, vagrant kids were holding hands with each other. It wasn’t the first lunar month, so were they doing a ganggangsullae or something?
The showstopper was the man standing at the very center.
Wearing a mask that fit snugly against his jaw, he leaned on an umbrella. That man had to be the host of the strange phenomenon.
“W-What is that……?”
The passerby muttered. When the boys sensed his gaze and shot looks toward the alley entrance, he promptly ran away.
“Focus.”
The Umbrella Man brushed aside the disturbance.
“Yes, Leader!”
“I don’t like the ring of ‘Leader.’”
“Then… Teacher…?”
“That’s also kind of off.”
“Founder… sir?!”
He tapped the handle with his fingernail.
“Not bad.”
“Baekbaek!”
The boys responded vigorously. Then they closed their eyes again and recited the mnemonic chant.
As an aside, ‘Baekbaek (白白)’ was used as a closing phrase for prayers. They had come up with it themselves.
҉Baek҉Baek҉Baek҉ui҉ui҉ui҉gam҉eung҉gam҉eung҉
Unprotected beings tended to raise thorns as a defense mechanism. But at the same time, they also harbored the contradiction of secretly yearning for something to lean on.
The more socially weak they were.
The more roughly they had lived.
The higher the rate at which they turned to religion. Traditionally, the fact that proselytization flourished in slums or villages followed the same logic. There was nothing better for increasing the number of believers.
Now then, at this point, let us hear the views of the founder of the fastest-growing new religion of late: the Baekbaek Order (白白敎).
Before that, I should clarify that this is off the record, and in that sense, also note that it will be in a Q&A format.
Q) Thank you very much for agreeing to this interview. Let’s get straight to the point. Recently, the number of followers of the Baekbaek Order has been increasing at a tremendous pace. Could you tell us what kind of miraculous doctrine you used to move the little lambs’ hearts?
A) There wasn’t really any doctrine to speak of. I just gave them a few chestnut flicks, and they became obedient on their own.
Q) Thank you for the witty and nourishing answer, Founder. You’ve clearly pointed out the limits of justice where the law is far away and fists are close at hand.
A) ……?
Q) From here on, my personal favorability toward the Baekbaek Order has increased. Changing the question! Whether it’s a religion or an organization, the name is important. Is there any origin behind the name Baekbaek Order?
A) It was originally one of the pseudo-religions that existed as dummy data. Team Leader played a prank using my name. But it turned out it was the most vicious cult in Korean history.
Q) Should we take it that the founder himself is saying the Baekbaek Order is a cult…?
A) In your eyes, if this isn’t a cult, then what is?
Q) It still has a long way to go before being recognized as an official religious order. Truly, Founder, you’re very humble!
A) …Anyway, I had no choice but to delete it in the game, but when I needed to found a religion, I couldn’t think of a suitable name. So I just named it after whatever came to mind. There’s no particular meaning.
Q) Indeed… how profound.
A) You’re messing with me, right?
Oh? You’re avoiding eye contact?
Q) The order’s chant is quite unique. What meaning does ‘Baekbaekbaekuiuiui gameungameung’ imply? You can even feel the rhythm—it must be something incredible-.
A) I referenced something I skimmed on Kkamu Wiki.
Q) …Eh…….
A) Got a problem?
Flutter flutter.
Q) Unfortunately, this is already the last question. I heard that you, Founder Lee Taebaek, have a unique proselytizing method of your own. If possible, could you demonstrate it on me as well?
A) You’ll regret it.
Q) That’s fine. I’ve been regretting things since the interview started anyway.
A) …Lend me your hand for a bit.
Q) Ohmygoodness! What is this shameless act! I’m not such an easy woman! Honestly, handsome people always have to cash in on their looks……!
A) Shut it.
[Buffing the Operator’s Mental stat.]
[Nerfing the opponent’s Mental stat.]
[Buffing the opponent’s Faith stat.]
Q) Baekbaekbaekuiui jeokjeokjeok gameungameung…….
Baekbaek Order Follower +1.
A) You’re lucky.
[#1 Small-Scale] 1.8 Patch Notes
◈ Main Patch
• The background description and class of the relevant individual have been revised to 「Founder of the Baekbaek Order」.
• The proportional value of 「Faith」 has increased by (+9.8%).
Pain resistance increases.
「Divinity」 is imbued into speech.
When Life hits bottom, attack power is temporarily boosted by the power of faith. (View more).
• The proportional value of 「Mental」 has increased by (+4.5%).
Unshakable composure is set as the default.
Charisma can be emitted.
Even when twisting ‘verisimilitude’ and ‘plausibility,’ the probability of critical bugs occurring is drastically reduced.
• Acquired 「Proselytization Technique (Beginner)」. Proficiency of the ability is affected by level.
◇ Train Patch
• Acquired 「Concept: Cult Leader」.
• Concept List: 「Psychopath (True)」, 「Bandit (True)」, 「Cult Leader (True)」, 「??? ??? (♾)」
• Concepts can be overlaid onto personality. Try using them at your discretion according to the situation!
※ However, 「??? ??? (♾)」 can only be overlaid after the ‘Large-Scale Patch’ is unlocked.
〉〉 Auto Save…………
〉〉 Applying patch
‘Quest.’
A main quest served as a gigantic lighthouse far in the distance, presenting direction. Side quests adjusted the bearing while taking the helm along the way.
That was why people became absorbed in games. Quests played the role of a compass that real life lacked.
A thorny path where the direction was unknown and the obstacles to overcome were far too many. That was reality, and that was why it was reality.
But in games, quests intuitively told you what needed to be done. Succeed, and you were granted appropriate rewards.
They provided powerful motivation and made gamers move. Quests were, in other words, fuel.
And yet, the powers that be proclaimed, ‘The quest system deprives humans of voluntary will. Therefore, games are harmful and a disease!’
‘Which side is more like a pathogenic blight of society that robs humans of free will.’
Given that he had to consider the deliberations of the Recons, it was difficult for him to cite the nations of the global community as examples. Among all industries, the game industry was the one that had to watch others’ moods the most—and the universal scapegoat.
However, at least in this world that Lee Taebaek had personally forged, freedom of speech was guaranteed.
So he would say it plainly, just once.
‘The disease isn’t games or quests.’
It was the pigs occupying the apex of the food chain!
The on-site evidence to support this proposition was right in front of him. Lee Taebaek soon opened his half-lidded eyes.
Countless presences. Followers of the Baekbaek Order were lined up in a narrow passage as if copied and pasted.
When the Baekbaek Order had been founded, there had only been about twenty believers, but today they had reached nearly fifty.
“There are more rice balls than people, so pass them all the way to the back. If it’s not enough, say so later!”
The alley boss shouted as he firmly squeezed the rice balls with his hands. For some reason, he looked excited.
“Woooah, it’s my first time seeing white rice! It’s super white! I’ve only ever eaten cultured mixed grains…….”
“Not just white rice! There’s even a small piece of meat inside! Not cultured meat—real meat!”
“Uhehehe, Baekbaek!”
“Baekbaek!”
When someone led the chant, everyone followed. The children, who had been children of darkness whether day or night, were smiling without a shadow at least in this moment.
They were rice balls provided by the Clean Clothes Faction. When he explained the situation over the phone to Jin Sobang of Buntaju, relief rice had been sent through the Narrow-Eyed Man. Naturally, free of charge.
[Bandit, you’re doing volunteer work?!!]
‘Something like that.’
[Tomorrow the sun will rise in the west.]
‘The sun doesn’t rise in Lake City.’
[…Anyway… you emotionally barren bastard.]
‘I could dry up your bank account too.’
[Send me the address. I’ll send it at dawn tomorrow.]
‘This doesn’t count as using a Hero’s Coin, right?’
[You calculating bastard. Don’t worry. If Hero’s Coins got counted for something like this, the Beggars’ Sect would be disgraced. This is just something I’m sending personally, so rest easy.]
The distribution of rice balls ended. Before eating, the boys held a moment of silence. The rice balls let off wisps of steam. The temperature inside rose by a notch.
Lee Taebaek watched the scene. With everyone’s eyes closed, he was seized by a strange sentiment.
The initial impetus had been to create an opposing pole to the Lilith Order. Since it was a hastily assembled cult, there wasn’t really anything that could be called doctrine.
Just don’t steal other people’s things.
If you’re hungry, don’t raise your fists.
Speak with your mouth, complain.
Then I’ll take care of your meals.
And then expand your influence.
It wasn’t behavior based on goodwill. He hadn’t helped out of cheap sympathy. If it hadn’t been an extension of the process, he wouldn’t even have spared them a glance.
‘I just acted like an operator.’
He gave missions and handed out rewards.
He had merely given them quests.
Fwoooosh…….
A sudden gale swept into the cramped alley. The wind struck the nape of his neck as it passed. His hair scattered wildly like dandelion seeds on a spring day.
Before the lingering wind faded, they opened their eyes one by one. As if they had been waiting, they took big bites of their rice balls. Some were so moved that they cried.
‘Hmm.’
Lee Taebaek stood still for a moment, then rose from his seat. He had something personal to take care of.
‘I should go home and look into spiritual medicine.’
A few days earlier, he had received spiritual medicine from Goun. It was a commercial-grade spiritual medicine personally sent by the Supreme Commander, but because of his schedule, he had only just found the time today.
Although each spiritual medicine differed in its unique effects, there was one trait they all shared.
‘Experience boosting.’
For a period after consumption, the user’s experience gain increased. With commercial-grade spiritual medicine, it was reasonable to expect at least a thirty percent increase over the existing gain.
However, as mentioned above, since it had a duration, it wasn’t something he could consume immediately. Unless there was a special event, consuming spiritual medicine was out of the question.
“Uh, um!”
Lee Taebaek halted his movement. He glanced back. Ban, the alley boss, was fidgeting.
“…S-So.”
Ban chewed on his words as if choosing them. Then he squeezed his eyes shut and bowed deeply.
“Thank you. And I’m sorry.”
Ban cautiously lifted his gaze. Even as respect and fear crossed in his eyes, he spoke resolutely.
“I should’ve said it sooner… but I didn’t have the courage……. To be honest, I couldn’t believe it. To us, adults were nothing but fucking bastards who hit us and oppressed us……. But you, Leader—no, Founder—were different.”
The scars on his face were memories of violence.
“O-Of course! It’s not just because you solved our meals that I’m saying this! Naturally, I’m grateful for that too, but more than that, I’m thankful for what you said to us. It felt like my empty heart was being filled…….”
Ban scratched the back of his head vigorously. Dandruff scattered with a crackling sound. He lowered his eyes and continued.
“Ah, shit. Saying it out loud makes it cringey as hell. Sorry for swearing. …It’s just how I talk.”
He waited.
“What I’m saying is, I’m just grateful. Even if you suddenly disappear, at the very least, we’ll follow the teachings of the Baekbaek Order.”
He listened.
“I really hope you don’t disappear, Lee Taebaek… but that’s just my wish.”
Barely a week—far too short a time to receive the attention and blind devotion of fifty people. He had deliberately drawn it out using the cheat keys known as nerfs and buffs.
“Ban.”
This time, he didn’t do that. He had promised himself. That he would restrain this power toward allies.
“Go eat first.”
He smiled.
“You’ll have a lot to do from now on.”
If only faintly.