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Chapter 6
At the very same moment the tutorial zone was liberated—
“Ooooh… finally, the tutorial is over.”
An NPC, his hood pulled low, gazed at the horizon with admiration.
“The time has come to spread our teachings to this world.”
The hooded NPC lifted both arms wide, exalting in joy. Behind him, several hunters and NPCs approached. Each bore the expression of someone utterly consumed—no, intoxicated—by faith. Their faces looked less like devotion and more like brainwashing.
“Brothers and sisters, let us go forth into the world. Let us spread the teachings.”
At his words, they each drew out an emblem—shaped like a toothed gear-seed—and pressed it against their chests.
What did that symbol mean?
“No matter how much the world may change, our duty remains the same.”
The hooded man turned, spreading his hands once more. Those gathered gave a small, reverent bow, then scattered in every direction without overlapping paths. Each departed the barrier, off to preach anew.
“Ahhh…!”
The hooded NPC embraced himself with a trembling voice filled with ecstasy, watching their departing backs. He tilted his head toward the heavens and whispered softly—
“All is—for the Evil God.”
And thus, in a place far from Jang Sun-nam’s sight… the seeds of malice quietly began to spread across the world.
70 Days Later
[Hidden Condition – ‘Infinite Perseverance’ Achieved.]
Whoosh!
A fist tore through the air in front of the hotel. It was the reward earned after seventy long days of waiting.
Finally, I got it.
<Mind and Body Discipline> (S)
A skill that transcends the limits of human body and spirit, enabling continual growth. Normally, it was reserved only for those who devoted years to martial arts or philosophy—an elite hidden skill gained only after relentless training. It wasn’t something one acquired in a day or two; most people obtained it in the mid-game at best.
But Sun-nam had seventy idle days.
It turned out to be a blessing. I didn’t expect to get it this quickly, though.
For seventy days, he had shaved time off meals and even sleep to train. The result was worth it.
Unlike other strengthening skills, which forced one to specialize in martial arts, magic, or psychic powers, Mind and Body Discipline allowed complete freedom to branch into any path. Most importantly, it solved the constant frustration of his frail body lagging behind his mind.
After acquiring the skill and finishing his daily routine, Sun-nam activated his map ability to scan the area. Only two markers appeared: himself and Aria.
[Skills Owned]
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<Translation> (A)
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<Diary of the Regressor> (SSS)
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<Poles Apart> (EX)
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<Absolute Map> (SSS+)+2
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<Phantom Summon> (EX+)+2
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<Mind and Body Discipline> (S)
In the last seventy days, he had acquired two enhancement stones, which he invested into Map and Summoning. The map’s range now spanned three hundred meters and displayed NPCs as well.
No intruders. Good.
After the tutorial’s barrier lifted seventy days ago, everyone else had left. With no coins to be earned here, there was no reason to stay.
Still… how much longer must I wait?
Sun-nam looked up at the sky.
And at that moment—
[A Tutorial-Limited Special Mail has arrived.]
A sheet of paper fluttered down from the heavens.
“Finally!”
But—
[Recipient is not present in the tutorial zone.]
“…What?”
[A random hunter in the tutorial zone will receive it instead.]
[Recipient is not present in the tutorial zone.]
[A random hunter in the tutorial zone will receive it instead.]
The same message repeated over and over at blinding speed.
Then—
[A Tutorial-Limited Special Mail has arrived.]
[A Tutorial-Limited Sp…]
[Tut…]
It was as though snow had begun to fall.
No—snow was the wrong word. From the sky, a storm of white envelopes cascaded like a blizzard upon Sun-nam.
All the rewards meant for others had defaulted to him—the last hunter remaining in the zone.
[Mail is being automatically stored in your inventory.]
[Mail is being automatically…]
[Mail…]
No! My inventory can’t handle this!
[Inventory capacity exceeded.]
[Unable to claim system rewards.]
[Adjusting inventory capacity to accommodate rewards.]
[Inventory capacity exceeded.]
“What the…?”
The system had no option but to enforce the rule: tutorial rewards must be claimed. But tens of thousands of hunters’ rewards simply couldn’t fit into one person’s inventory.
So the system did the unthinkable—
[Inventory capacity has been expanded to Maximum (Infinite).]
By the time the mail-storm subsided, Aria looked up and saw Sun-nam staring at the sky, grinning like a madman.
“Did you… finish whatever you were doing?”
“Yeah. Collected everything I needed.”
His broad smile told her he must have received something good. Of course, what he had actually gained was far beyond her imagination.
“Then, are we leaving the tutorial zone now?”
“Yeah. I need to start preparing for what’s coming.”
But there was a problem.
He had wanted a summoned companion that could both protect Aria and handle communication and movement. Yet after a hundred days of draws—he had failed every single time.
A hundred failures… all at 99.99% fail rate. Just my luck.
And then—
[The Luck of <Poles Apart> activates.]
“Actually, Sun-nam,” Aria said, hesitating. “There’s something I’ve kept secret all this time… but I’d like to give it to you now.”
She produced a jewel-like ruby.
<Fortune of Equivalent Exchange>
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Appears when 1,000 lives are lost in one zone.
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Visible only to NPCs for 1,000 hours.
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After 1,000 hours, hunters can see it as well.
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Increases luck by the weight of 1,000 lives for one use.
Sun-nam’s eyes widened.
This…!!!
He had heard the rumors across countless regressions, but never once laid eyes on it. An item so rare that only NPCs ever monopolized it. Until now.
It actually exists…
Even the kind-hearted Aria had been tempted to hoard it. Without their bond, he never would have seen it.
“No rank… meaning it works regardless of rarity.”
Which meant—
“This blessing can apply even to <Phantom Summon> (EX+).”
“Thank you, Aria.”
He grasped the jewel and immediately activated his summon.
Light flared—
And from within, emerged a woman. Her entire figure—from flowing hair to clad body—was wrapped in black.
“So beautiful…” Aria gasped.
But Sun-nam was marveling for a different reason.
“Success!”
The being wasn’t human.
It was an android.
So it’s true. With Fortune of Equivalent Exchange, even EX+ summons can succeed.
If he could gather more of these items, his chances would skyrocket. But that meant winning the trust of NPCs who secretly held them.
Sun-nam issued his command.
“Hael, your sub-administrator is Aria Linesis. Until I give further orders, guard her and obey her commands.”
The android nodded silently, turning to face Aria.
“Hello, Lady Hael.”
“…”
She gave only a short nod. Taciturn—but loyal.
Sun-nam gave another order.
“Create three clones.”
Nano-particles swirled. Three smaller androids, each thirty centimeters tall, appeared beside her.
“Wah! How cute!” Aria smiled.
“Mini-Hael. Assist the main body.”
Two perched atop their shoulders, one scuttled to the lobby. Their function was to serve as conduits for portals and communications.
Perfect. Now I can rest easy.
He then laid out Aria’s new mission.
“Build a guild. Recruit as many NPCs as possible. Name it however you like.”
The key point was that a princess, not a hunter, would serve as guildmaster. That would naturally draw NPCs in.
“Lastly, whenever you rest, use the portal to return to the hotel.”
“Understood. Then, shall we hold a brief investiture ceremony?”
“Investiture…?”
Aria borrowed Hael’s conjured sword, and the android knelt, assuming the posture of a knight.
“In the name of Aria Linesis, First Princess of the Empire, I appoint you, Hael, as my personal knight.”
She touched the sword to Hael’s head.
“From this day forth, our destinies are bound. I look forward to serving together.”
“…Yes, Sub-Master.”
For the first time, Hael spoke. Aria’s smile brightened with joy.
“I’ll carry out your orders without fail, Sun-nam.”
“Good. I’m counting on you.”
With a graceful royal bow, Aria departed with Hael.
Alone again…
Sun-nam spread open his map.
Mark the destination.
A holographic flag appeared, guiding him forward like a navigation arrow.
Time to stop that event before it begins.
It was one of the greatest branching points—the cause of the first timeline’s bad ending.
The place where the zombie apocalypse would begin: the Government Complex at Daejeon.
He could not prevent the outbreak itself. But he could secure the means to resolve it.
That place, both holy and legendary—
The great tower that had once been a bakery.
“Seongshindan—the Bread of the Sacred Heart.”
