The Ruined World Was Mistaken for a Game

Chapter 56.1: Episode 1 (1)

Translator: Dreamscribe

This regular maintenance was scheduled to be longer than usual.

The maintenance was being conducted early Saturday morning, not on a usual maintenance day, and the server was scheduled to reopen after lunchtime. Since the regular maintenance had been postponed during the Lord of Erosion subjugation event, no one raised any complaints.

Even in Arsilan Worlds, only posts of encouragement were being uploaded.

All heroes were filled with anticipation and excitement.

During the subjugation event, Jinwoo had remained in the boss room the entire time, so it had been a while since he visited FS Games. With the relocation of the headquarters approaching, the interior of the building had been neatly organized.

As overseas service would soon begin, new employee recruitment had been significantly expanded. Since this narrow building could no longer accommodate everyone, they had purchased and remodeled an entire large-scale building. Thanks to Ohsung Group’s active involvement, Jinwoo had little to worry about.

Jinwoo conducted a meeting.

Although it was Saturday, most employees had come to work in preparation for the major event. Of course, he planned to compensate everyone later.

With real pay, not passion pay.

“Everything has been prepared locally. We plan to expand the service across North America, EU, and all of Asia according to the number of Soul Links.”

Jinwoo nodded at the report from Kim Yu-na, the head of the Business Strategy Team. There were still quite a few countries that had not lifted regulations on virtual reality. The United States had been the first to confirm, so the expansion was scheduled to start from there. The EU was also actively moving forward, and Japan as well.

“It really feels like this is just the beginning. Haha!”

Han Yong-seon said that and laughed.

Since Jinwoo first revealed virtual reality, they had really run without rest. They had shown many things and achieved many things. However, the path they had come so far was merely stepping out to the front door compared to the path they had to go forward.

"That's right."

Jinwoo nodded.

This was merely the starting point. It had taken a hundred years to reach this starting line.

The meeting continued in a cheerful atmosphere. Kim Yu-na and the staff brought something out.

“These are the goods to be revealed at this event. We also have some collaboration products.”

During the last online interaction, Jinwoo had promised a grand festival. Of course, preparations were underway, and he planned to hold offline events about twice a year. They would be carried out with the feel of “Arsilan Saga’s Summer and Winter Festivals.”

Jinwoo examined the goods.

There was a pile of Leon-related merchandise such as a Leon figure, Leon case, Leon photobook, and so on. They even had a collaboration with Ohsung Electronics' smartphones and TVs.

Once Jinwoo gave permission, they had gone wild with production.

Wouldn’t people get tired of this at some point?

Jinwoo casually made such a comment.

Kim Yu-na firmly shook her head.

“There’s a saying that the more you see, the newer it feels. He looks cooler today than he did yesterday, and if you see him the next day, you’ll find a different charm again. That’s Leon.”

“Hmm...”

Jinwoo looked through the photobook. It featured Leon from the Early Access period to the present. There were also many unreleased photos. Seeing it like this, it did feel fresh.

Kim Yu-na showed a video.

Around the FS Games North America branch, people dressed in Arsilan Saga costumes filled the area.

“As soon as the visit schedule was announced, they all gathered.”

It wasn’t strange.

There had been similar responses in Korea. However, there was a more fervent aspect to it.

“It’s the Church of Arsilan’s Creator God.”

“What?”

“It started out as a meme, but it gradually grew to the point where it can now be called an organization.”

Jinwoo was dumbfounded.

They reportedly wore Arsilan robes and pledged every morning to fight Erosion. Starting with a summoning prayer, various other prayer were spreading.

“...This is a bit much.”

There were various religions, like the Flying Spaghetti Monster and such, but this felt a bit excessive. Not just a bit, it was way too much.

With talk of at least a million units of Soul Link being released, the fervor of worship grew even more intense.

Jinwoo stared at the video.

A news reporter approached an American wearing a costume.

[How long do you plan to wait here?]

(Until I become a Hero.)

He answered in Korean, and the reporter looked flustered.

[Excuse me? Please speak in English.]

[Ah! I accidentally spoke in Arsilanian.]

[That sounded like Korean?]

[Yes! It’s Korean and also the official language of Arsilan. It’s a must-know language for Heroes.]

[I-I see.]

The reporter was confused by his resolute tone but continued the interview. There were a few more videos like that.

A wave of national pride was rising.

Albeit in a slightly different form.

‘Hmm?’

Jinwoo briefly looked at his own hand. It seemed like a spark had flown, probably static electricity due to winter.

Jinwoo adjusted the upcoming schedule through the meeting, then returned to the Research Lab. He immediately headed for Arsilan. The Core of Erosion still floated in the boss room.

The Core of Erosion, dominated by Jinwoo’s magic power, was in constant pain. The energy of Erosion was swirling and being sucked into the core.

‘Once the Core of Erosion disappears, they’ll notice within a week at most.’

The Land of Erosion and the lands occupied by other entities were separated by spatial barriers. Fortunately, it would take time before the space reconnected. If he gathered the energy of Erosion and stationed it at the boundary, he could buy more time.

Jinwoo did the calculations through the Magic Tower.

He figured he could secure at least three months somehow. It was a tight schedule to secure and develop the Magic Stone Mine, build a Magic Tower, and deploy a large-scale Magic Barrier.

Still, he had managed to secure more time than expected.

‘It’ll be tough...’

But he was no longer alone.

Countless Heroes were on standby.

So now, he decided to enjoy the moment. He would put an end to the long-endured pain and move forward.

“I’ll become a ruthless invader.”

Invasion, war, plunder.

Unfortunately, those were the things humanity was best at.

Jinwoo pulled out several documents from subspace. They were collections of original artwork meticulously drawn by the Art Team. Depictions of the true boss that far surpassed the Lord of Erosion were drawn in multiple sheets.

Since this was the conclusion of Episode 1, a fairly imposing boss monster was needed. He planned to gather the remaining energy of Erosion and use it to create the monster.

“This one looks good.”

Jinwoo chose a monster that suited a true boss.

[Kraaargh! Aaaagh!]

“It’s just starting. Don’t start whining already.”

Jinwoo entered the ‘Episode 1 Ending’ notice board.

Jinwoo (Director): I’d like you to show your coolest side, if possible.

└Heina (Captain of the Guards): Understood.

└Helby (Magic Dragon): Hmph, I’ll play along.

└Tia (Unemployed): Hehe....

└Luceren (Elvens Village Chief): Ready and waiting.

└Garsha (Lunatie Village Chief): Standing by.

└Hallon (Dark Priest): Finally!

.

..

....

Everyone was ready!

Jinwoo immediately opened the server.

* * *