MMORPG: Surviving a Death Game with a Glitched System

Loneliness was a failure of self-sufficiency.

At least, that was Ash’s interpretation of such a ’pathetic thing.’

Ever since he’d lost his connection with Clear, he’d been alone.

But that was okay.

The only companion he needed in life was success.

And attaining overwhelming strength counted as success.

It wasn’t the pinnacle, but a step toward it.

For someone like Cross — a man who possessed overwhelming strength — to claim loneliness was the height of putridity, something Ash could barely stomach.

A need for others?

Others were simply inhibitors trying to wedge themselves between success and the pinnacle.

That gave Ash yet another reason to hate Cross.

After all, he’d realized the hidden, ’loathsome’ reason why Cross had agreed to teach him mana sensitivity in the first place.

***

The rest of the day passed with Ash inching closer and closer to a breakthrough.

He could now recognize mana, if only faintly.

Unlike the fuzzy feeling from before, it now felt almost liquid — like sensationless water flowing down his throat. He’d also learned that it danced through his body through a series of deflections.

The problem arose whenever the clump he was following split into three, with each fragment veering toward a different part of his body — either horn or his tail.

Sometimes, he managed to follow one all the way to its destination, but never all three. Cross assured him that success was merely a matter of time, considering how far he’d progressed in a single day.

However, Ash’s progress apparently didn’t make him a once-in-a-lifetime talent, judging by Cross’s boast:

"You’ve done well, but this entire process took me thirty minutes to master."

Ash had entirely ignored the comment.

Cross had also constantly reminded Ash that none of it mattered, since Ash’s life would be forfeit in a few days anyway.

’He most definitely wouldn’t be saying that if he knew my plan.’

Keeping the plan from Cross was imperative. Idolan, however, was another matter. Ash still wasn’t certain of every move he would make, but revealing his plot to the king in hopes of securing his assistance might work.

With that possibility in mind, Ash had questioned Cross about Idolan, particularly one thing:

"Why is he chained?"

It was obvious Idolan could break the chains. Well... he had.

"It’s his connection to the seal... Even if he breaks the chains, the seal remains active, so the fiend still can’t escape. However, its power will no longer be suppressed until Father is chained again."

"...What about Idolan himself? Is his power suppressed?"

Cross sighed.

"Not at all... Before you ask, he simply stands no chance against the fiend."

’That was his full power earlier, then?’

Ash hated the small flicker of relief the realization brought him.

"I see... but why don’t you two face her together?"

"Because we’d still lose. Its power is simply too great."

Ash tilted his head slightly.

"Don’t you completely nullify her ability? At least, that’s what Vera told me."

"Correct... However, I’d need to touch it or hit it with an ability. An unrestrained Winter would kill my father before I could ever reach them, then retreat."

Ash sneered.

"Why don’t you become stronger?"

Cross laughed.

"You say that as if it’s such a simple thing. Haven’t you just struggled to complete the most elementary requirement of strength?"

Ash stared blankly into the haze, which had once again settled over the seal.

"That’s the keyword, Cross. Struggle. Who cares if progress is slow or hard? You struggle. You struggle and struggle until it’s worth it. And even then... you keep struggling."

Cross frowned. A genuine sorrow settled over his face.

"To you, that might sound like an attractive life. But to me... to normal people, it’s not an option. You’re telling me to spend my entire life surviving. I’d rather actually live."

Cross’s expression grew increasingly solemn, then he added:

"That’s precisely why I would sacrifice myself for Vera... Surviving in a world without her is no life at all... not that you’d understand that sentiment. Still, I wish you’d try. Even if I dismiss your words as meaningless, it’s frustrating to have my purpose trampled upon. To be honest, Ash... I feel sorry for you. I’m not saying this out of pity or to provoke you... But you’re living in a way where the concept of tomorrow holds the same meaning as today. Take my words seriously. From now until the day you die, try to understand them — unless doing so is simply beyond your capabilities."

Ash froze, staring into Cross’s solemn eyes. There was no mockery in them. Cross meant every word.

Normally, Ash would have ignored him. Many before Cross had tried to teach him similar lessons, and never once had he cared enough to truly heed their words.

But...

’Beyond... my capabilities?’

If Ash couldn’t understand him, did that make it a failure?

Normally, he wouldn’t have cared. Understanding did not mean agreeing. But...

’I don’t... understand him.’

Tomorrow holding the same meaning as today?

’Is there even meaning in that?’

Before Ash could formulate a response, Cross rose and stepped onto a stone platform. It carried him high, above the temple before he drifted off toward wherever he intended to sleep.

Ash had intended to return to where he’d slept the previous night, hidden beside one of the fallen links, but...

Instead, he continued racking his brain.

For the next hours, he thought and thought, yet understanding continued to elude him.

Cross hadn’t been joking or playing some kind of prank. He’d meant what he said.

Ash had even stopped searching for some universal meaning and tried to understand what the words meant to Cross alone. Yet... he still couldn’t find an answer.

However, as long as he kept trying — as long as he kept struggling — not understanding them yet could not be called a failure.

The only problem was whether struggling was enough.

Because, for today, it wasn’t.

Instead of sleeping like he’d intended, Ash stayed still all night, pondering the words’ meaning.

All the way until today bled into tomorrow and tomorrow became today.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!