Burning Flame (1)
I gazed at the system window that had appeared before me, stroking my chin.
‘The third version of the Karma Shop, huh.’
How much fun had I had thanks to the “Karma Shop Ver.2 Update” so far?
The “VIP Market” providing useful special products for Awakened Ones, and the “Item Purchase” making it easier to get items from various dimensions had been quite a help.
Naturally, I couldn’t help but feel excited at the news of another upgrade to the shop···.
“···Still, I completely didn’t expect this.”
With a puzzled expression, I stared blankly at the list that had popped up.
The overall shop format had some new elements added to it compared to the previous version.
But as I happily confirmed the changes one by one, something suddenly struck me—
‘Item Purchase – Detailed View’
└Auterica
└Ganghwan Realm
└Earth
‘Earth? Did it just say Earth?’
The menu that had only allowed the purchase of items from this world now had the word “Earth” sitting boldly among the options.
“···So now I can buy items from Earth with Karma?”
In reality, that alone wasn’t a huge benefit.
With my current influence, I could easily acquire most items without needing to use Karma.
Using Earth’s currency, which had limited acquisition methods like Karma, would be far more cost-effective.
‘But the important thing now is not that. Why did this change suddenly occur?’
Until now, the Karma Shop had drawn a clear line with Earth.
Usually, an Awakened One first encounters it right after being sent to this world.
And once they finally gather 1 million points and choose to ‘Return’ to Earth, the Karma Shop disappears, and the chance to use it vanishes forever.
‘I guess I would be an exception since it’s more like I exploited a loophole in the system.’
After awakening my Unique Skill, I had certainly been transported to this world but had remained in Earth all the same.
Wasn’t that contradiction the greatest reason I could use the system freely?
‘Let’s see here.’
With a serious look, I selected the ‘Earth’ item and began scanning through the products one by one.
Since I had used this menu several times, it didn’t take long to check what items were available.
And after this verification, my conclusion was···.
“Wow, they’re selling everything from airplanes to aircraft carriers? What’s this? A space shuttle? Don’t tell me they’re actually selling nuclear warheads? …No way, they really are?”
The fact remained that nothing was impossible in this Karma Shop.
Of course, the cost-effectiveness was terrible compared to the mystical items of this world.
“Body of a Dragon Heart can be bought for just over a million points, but a mere fighter jet is just a hundred thousand? An aircraft carrier without any fighters is over ten million? Who would even buy this nonsense?”
Still, the fact that I could purchase something like that right away was impressive by itself.
But with such poor cost-effectiveness, I probably wouldn’t buy anything in the future.
I forced myself to turn away from the nuclear bomb, which was practically calling my name as I sighed.
‘What on earth does the system want from me?’
One thing was clear: this immense system that encompassed every world seemed to want something from me.
Maybe my discovery of the system’s loophole wasn’t just a coincidence.
The next detailed exploration of “Karma Shop Ver.3” revealed a similar situation.
The “VIP Market” had the “Invitation (1,000,000)” that could forcibly awaken ordinary Earthlings as Awakened Ones, as well as the “Return Ticket (2,000,000)” that covers Karma needed for an Awakened One’s return.
Besides that, there were ongoing conveniences like “Odin’s Eye” which lets you overlook anywhere in Earth while continuously consuming Karma, and “Hermes’ Steps” allowing instantaneous travel no matter how far away···.
At that point, it was impossible not to realize what the theme of this update was.
‘Everything is related to Earth.’
As if it was saying that I was finally granted the qualification to intervene in Earth.
And the reason for that change was probably this:
‘Karma Share (5%)’
A sentence floating at the bottom of the Karma Shop from the beginning.
I stared at it with narrowed eyes.
‘Share, huh? What is it a share of? The system? Earth? Or perhaps another dimension? What happens if I fill it to 100%? Do I just need to gather Karma? Is it just the usable points that count, or does it also include total accumulated points?’
Thoughts swirled in my mind.
Until now, I had only charged forward with the single-minded resolve to destroy the Buncheon Society, but now I faced an incomprehensible situation that complicated my thoughts.
Yet amidst all that, I instinctively realized one thing.
‘Whatever it is, let’s raise it first.’
That it wouldn’t be unrelated to what I had been doing so far.
In fact, wasn’t the Head of the Buncheon Society doing the same?
They had the power to self-proclaim themselves as gods in this Earth, yet at this very moment, they were continuously roaming through other dimensions to gather Karma.
But was it simply for greater strength? Or to satisfy that “Share” condition?
‘···I definitely can’t let this be.’
Resolute, I slowly nodded.
In that sense, I’d decided to postpone purchasing the “Fragment of the Holy Being of the Imprisoned Human” which had a rather steep price.
First, I’d watch and wait till the price drops··· and if needed, use it as a dagger at a decisive moment.
Vroom— Vroom—
Just then, my smartphone, resting beside me, vibrated.
It was a notification for an urgent email communication.
“This is···.”
The sender was ‘CCTV’.
It was a report from Andrew Weaver, who had been assigned various tasks in exchange for the language interpretation magical equipment gifted by Howard.
I checked the contents with a serious expression.
The email included a report on the task I’d handed over as well as foreign local news articles that seemed to be captured screenshots.
And thanks to the “Zinoglossia,” I ignored the translation below and quickly read the original text, causing my eyebrows to twitch involuntarily.
“Demon?”
News about demons frequently spotted in Southeast Asia recently.
The report stated that many of the news articles had already been taken down, potentially due to information control attempts, but it was filled with details about the connection between the demons and the Buncheon Society.
‘Demons, huh···.’
I tapped my fingers on the table as I fell into thought.
What an oddly coincidental situation this was.
Being someone who had recently had an exhilarating showdown against countless demons in the demon realm, it was certainly an intriguing story.
‘If all this information is true, they’re definitely not your average deal.’
In fact, it wouldn’t be that surprising if someone on Earth was harnessing demon powers.
Among the Earthlings sent to this world, many would stop at nothing to survive, and demon contracts were one of the quicker means to gain strength.
‘But that also means substantial risk.’
If one were not careful, losing one’s soul and mind to the contracted demon would mean losing the authority of an Awakened One like the undead, so demon contractors who returned to Earth were all people with exceptional abilities capable of overcoming that.
Simply borrowing the strength gained from such contracts would require that level of skill, let alone those like Ken who had fully transformed into demons yet returned maintaining their identity.
‘To think that such a being is lurking near my next target, Singapore?’
Thus, the extraordinary nature of the ‘true demon’ appearing in Andrew’s report was self-evident.
Moreover, this report was merely a compilation of analyzed clues indirectly obtained while gathering information, and the fact that they couldn’t observe the opponent through his Unique Skill, “Trail Observation,” lent even more credibility.
‘At the very least, a Marquis-level demon. ···If estimated to the max, it might even be a Demon King.’
My eyes narrowed as I pondered.
While there was quite a gap in my estimation of the enemy’s level, that was unavoidable.
No matter how capable Andrew was as an informant, there were limits to what could be uncovered without direct observation of the opponent.
In fact, it was commendable that he had managed to compile such a detailed report under those circumstances.
‘Hmm, I guess I’ll need to raise his salary. There’s a lot more work coming up, so he deserves solid treatment.’
I felt like I could hear a voice beyond the physical realm asking for a vacation instead of money, but···.
That was probably just an illusion.
Surely no one would refuse an offer of more money.
“By the way, this is rather unexpected. I never expected to find it this way.”
That capable informant Andrew had added another commentary at the end of his report.
Not only about the demon he had encountered, but also a particular force being continuously driven toward the edge by organizations moving in conjunction with the demon.
Since this information had been gleaned while tracking the demon’s erratic movements, it was certainly not ordinary.
‘So they do exist after all. Others besides me opposing the Buncheon Society. The situation doesn’t seem too good though.’
Commonly known as ‘Burning Flame’.
I had found a secret society composed of those with the same purpose as mine during my lonely fight.
*
In an abandoned house cluttered with odds and ends.
“Cough— cough!”
A rough coughing sound erupted from one corner.
The person it came from seemed to be trying to suppress it, but it was futile.
This was no ordinary cough.
“Are you okay? You really should rest a little···.”
A stout man cautiously opened his mouth, but the black-haired woman curled up in a ball simply shook her head.
With a blood-soaked handkerchief held to her mouth.
“Huuh— huuh.”
After a brief moment, she took a deep breath and carefully rose, blue flames flickering from her hand, completely incinerating the blood from the handkerchief.
In the blink of an eye, the handkerchief had transformed from red to white.
Gently tucking it away, she let out a deep sigh.
“You know it can’t be helped, right? The moment I take even a short break, we’re gonna be discovered here, right?”
“···But just for a moment···.”
“Enough. How many comrades have died because they were too relaxed like that?”
The blunt response left the man unable to argue.
Her words rang true; their situation was dire, even in jest.
A short rest could easily turn into eternal rest.
And without her, they would have all been wiped out by now.
“···I’m sorry. If only I had the strength to deal with that demon···.”
“Nonsense. Three superhumans have already died at that demon’s hands. Even with traps and a united front, it still happened. You stepping in would just mean another body added to the pile.”
Her mocking tone served to keep him from getting too reckless, but within her green eyes lay genuine concern for her opponent.
That demon had been such a threat that it had scattered them all, forcing a desperate retreat.
“Huuh— I just hope the others made it out okay···. ···Argh! Damn it! That snake, bringing friends for a fair fight! Are you even a man doing that!”
As she breathed deeply, concentrating to maintain her ability, An finally couldn’t hold back her wrath and exploded in frustration.
The sudden intervention had completely torn the organization apart just when they had been moving toward hope.
“Ugh, if that Oracle hadn’t interfered, we might have been able to manage something against the Executioner.”
While there were no guarantees of victory, they could have at least retreated while minimizing damage for future endeavors.
It would certainly have been better than fleeing from the Philippines to Vietnam in shreds as they were now.
“···Huh! I can’t let this go on. I need to maintain my composure.”
After venting her fury for a while, she took a moment to steady her breathing.
In her current state, the lives of her scattered comrades depended on her ability, so she couldn’t afford to relax for long.
“But why haven’t Becky and Tolla returned yet?”
Just as she was calming her mind.
She suddenly realized that those who had gone to scout outside still hadn’t come back, causing her expression to harden.
Under normal circumstances, she could pinpoint her comrades’ locations as easily as breathing, but right now, she had no energy to spare as she focused entirely on obscuring the Oracle’s gaze.
“Wait a minute.”
“···Jose?”
Just then, a sturdy man blocked An’s path.
Sniff sniff—
With his nose flaring and a sharp demeanor directed outside.
He soon spoke with a serious look.
“It’s a demon.”
“Don’t tell me···! How? Was it because of my earlier outburst? No, it can’t be just that···!”
“They’ve already locked onto us. They’re coming straight here.”
At Jose’s quiet words, her face hardened.
The revelation that their location had been discovered was no minor issue.
It was a serious situation that could threaten not just them, but all members of the ‘Burning Flame’ who were out hiding.
While she clenched her teeth in self-reproach, the presence continued to approach the abandoned house.
With heavy footsteps that seemed to have no intent of concealing its presence.
At that moment, Jose’s body began to grow as hair sprouted all over him.
And finally, the moment he stood on two feet in the form of a beast—
“Phew, finally found you. I was told to just give orders from a comfy place while you locate your position yourself. Is that even reasonable?”
A man stepped into the abandoned house, opening the door.
“That damn human··· why does he remind me so much of our Demon King in how he commands people? Must be my imagination?”
He muttered grumblingly, but then realized that the two men and women before him were gearing up against him, and awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.
“Ahem, so—”
Clearing his throat and gathering his voice, the uninvited guest utilized his inherent demon language communication abilities to greet them.
“Nice to meet you, my name is Miyamoto Ken.”
With a heart full of welcoming sentiment, he finally spoke to the Earthlings he hadn’t conversed with in ages.
“I have come to rescue you from despair.”
But sadly, his feelings did not reach them.
Only a fist covered in fur responded in return.
