The Ruined World Was Mistaken for a Game

Translator: Dreamscribe

With Jinwoo's help, RL was completed quickly after its testing wrapped up. As various features were added, the level of polish rose sharply.

The main stage of RL was an unknown, colossal dimension.

A dimension so rich and vast that the moment the Kalsus Dimensional Empire claimed it, they would gain enormous resources and Dimensional Energy in a single stroke.

A world that began with the classic creation myth of angels and demons having lived there at the dawn of time.

'Fake Arsilan.'

It was none other than Fake Arsilan!

The Kalsus Dimensional Empire had already noticed the existence of the Heroes, and had realized that behind them lurked something on par with, or far more dangerous than, the Dimensional Predators. They were currently guessing it to be the cause of the Evil God Disease.

Jinwoo had manipulated Marquis Alontro to pass a bit of information into the interior of the Sanctuary. He had simply twisted, ever so slightly, information that would have leaked out anyway.

The source of the information was Kalgul, the trusted hero of the empire, and it was information that General Gord and countless soldiers had personally verified. There was no way to conclude that the information had been contaminated or falsified.

"At first, I should feature the Undead Heroes primarily."

"I think that would be better."

Jun nodded and answered at Jinwoo's words.

The main enemies of RL were the Heroes and the Erosion that they called the Dimensional Predators. If Arsilan Saga had made reality be mistaken for a game, then RL was the opposite.

It was made precisely to make a game be mistaken for reality!

Doing so would yield a great many benefits in all sorts of ways. That the 4th Imperial Prince Reist was raking in massive profits through Reist World was something every royal and noble in the Sanctuary already knew.

Because the scale was astronomical, resistance had begun to brew, led chiefly by the royals. The concern was that internal strife could erupt when he was sucking up profits during such a critical time of severe outside attacks.

It was only because Marquis Alontro had urged caution that the discontent had not yet risen to the surface.

"To think you can implement exactly what Jun designed with the Lord God Engine... You really are a god of creation."

"It's hard to implement all of it. That's why I only implemented part of it."

"Even so, it should be enough to fool them."

Jinwoo could implement, through his Authority, what Jun had designed with the Lord God Engine. It was created as an illusion, a trick to make the game be perfectly mistaken for reality.

Implementing an entire massive game would consume an enormous amount of Authority and Sacred Power, so it was impossible under his current conditions. What if he confiscated all the wealth of the royals and poured it in?

'Maybe it would actually be possible.'

If he ground up all the royals' wealth and threw it in, or if his influence as a god rose enough to grant him nearly infinite Sacred Power, it seemed he could do it under his own power.

In any case, right now it was impossible.

Jinwoo used a dimension on the verge of destruction to create a decoy dimension. He evacuated the natives, created a Soul Moon there, and then implemented a portion of RL.

He would have to step outside for a while, but the communications themselves were connected perfectly, so there was no problem with the plan.

All the preparations had ended smoothly.

"Then..."

Jinwoo rose from his seat with a thick smile spreading across his lips.

"It's time for a grand showcase."

Now it was time for the showcase of Reist Legend, RL for short. A tale destined to become legend in the Kalsus Dimensional Empire was about to begin.

* * *

Jinwoo invited the royals and high-ranking nobles of the Sanctuary to the Golden Palace. He sent out invitations stating there would be a major announcement concerning the operation of Reist World and the future of the Kalsus Dimensional Empire.

Low in rank though he was, Reist was an Imperial Prince who held Imperial Succession Rights. Since he was a child born of the lawful wife, his legitimacy was more than sufficient. Even in that state, ignoring his invitation would not have been easy, and now, with his reputation completely transformed, all the more so.

Perhaps because his fame had risen thanks to Reist World, most of the high-ranking nobles with strong influence in the Sanctuary indicated they would attend, and even the Imperial Princes with Succession Rights who were wary of Reist World decided to come. The Crown Prince still would not emerge from the deepest part of the Sanctuary, but he was said to be sending his close aides.

Meanwhile, Jinwoo splurged the money he had earned from Reist World, decorating the Golden Palace even more lavishly. Even after slathering money everywhere like that, money was still left over in abundance.

One by one, the high-ranking nobles who had been at Reist World arrived at the Golden Palace. The royals and high-ranking nobles who had arrived early out of curiosity about Reist World had become utterly absorbed in the fun of gambling.

They apparently barely caught the last vessel bound for the Golden Palace.

"Foolish fools. That's not how you play a game."

Seeing the 2nd Imperial Prince reduced to a beggar's state in a single day, Scharnhilde grew triumphant. She was in the bizarre situation where the more money she lost, the more her good karma accumulated. In any case, since she was helping Jinwoo and the dimensional realm, her bad karma was fading.

"Jun, how does it look to you?"

"In-indeed, you truly are the Imperial Princess, Your Highness. I could only marvel at that genius-level strategy of yours."

"Heheh, is that so."

Jun, extremely tense, escorted Scharnhilde. Every time Scharnhilde lost money she grew glum, and Jun would approach and quietly help her out. It was a result made possible because he held the authority to manipulate the odds at Reist World.

"When my lucky golden bird speaks so, it lifts my mood."

"I, I am honored."

Jun walked like a robot as he headed into the Golden Palace. Since her win rate was high whenever Jun helped, Scharnhilde now grew anxious without him at her side.

Jinwoo watched the two of them from behind and briefly sank into thought.

With Jun around her win rate was high, yet she actually lost more. That was because the chips she'd bet boldly while he was away had all vanished like bubbles. Since she could just win it back once Jun returned, Scharnhilde's betting only grew bolder.

'This is completely...'

Wasn't this rigged gambling itself?

Somehow it had turned into this arrangement. Still, it was a very good thing, since it was saving the dimensional realm.

'And Jun seems to be working harder, too.'

After meeting Scharnhilde, he never once brought up Earth or Arsilan. He looked ready to live here forever. When told he could pop over to Arsilan or Earth for a bit, Jun flinched in alarm and refused.

Nasko, Scharnhilde's escort knight, also trusted Jun. It was thanks to the advice he had given.

The royals and nobles gathered at the Golden Palace and enjoyed the banquet before the showcase. Naturally, the topic was the games of Reist World. Since everyone was thoroughly hooked, the conversation never stopped and the mood was warm and cheerful. Such perfect unity had never been seen since the birth of the Kalsus Dimensional Empire.

A stage had been set up in the banquet hall.

Jinwoo had decorated it in a modern atmosphere, based on the showcase where he had first introduced Arsilan Saga. Perhaps because that look struck them as quite fresh, the high-ranking nobles looked around the banquet hall in admiration and praise.

Refined tables and seats had been arranged, and dishes they had never seen before came out as though at a dinner show. The royals and high-ranking nobles who tasted the food were startled and their faces turned enraptured.

When Scharnhilde tasted the food with practiced ease, the royals nodded at her grace.

'Chocolate chips are better, though.'

Scharnhilde was merely thinking that. She had become a person who could no longer live without snacks and carbonated drinks. This stimulating taste was yet another hit of dopamine.

There was one man who could not enjoy that taste.

It was none other than the 2nd Imperial Prince, who was contending for the position of second in rank.

"When does this begin? Making me waste my precious time..."

The 2nd Imperial Prince said that with an impatient expression. His table was beside Scharnhilde's, and Scharnhilde looked at him and grinned.

Having suffered humiliation for the first time in his life, the 2nd Imperial Prince breathed roughly. A forgotten competitive drive was boiling up within him. He wanted to run to Reist World this very instant.

Just as the 2nd Imperial Prince was about to rise from his seat.

"Hm?"

"What's going on?"

Suddenly the lights went out, and majestic music filled the banquet hall to the brim. It was the kind of music that struck the heart and set the blood boiling. At this kind of music they'd never heard before, everyone in the hall widened their eyes.

Orchestral music playing as a game's background was so common on Earth that it could stir no feeling at all, but in the Kalsus Dimensional Empire it delivered a great shock. It sounded like music for heroes, the kind one might only hear in heaven. There were even high-ranking nobles who gasped for breath, feeling overwhelmed.

The majestic music gradually died down and shifted into peaceful music. The high-ranking nobles felt as if they were standing in a spring meadow. Even the royals, who indulged only in refined hobbies, let smiles curl at the corners of their mouths.

TAT!

The lights lit up the stage.

Jinwoo walked out at a leisurely pace, holding a wine glass, and stood at the center of the stage. Standing there in a crisp suit, Jinwoo looked more noble than anyone else present. He was noble enough to make the 2nd Imperial Prince, who usually looked down on Reist, flinch.

"Is the meal to your liking?"

Jinwoo broke the ice in a light tone.

He was of Imperial Prince status, but everyone here was royalty or high-ranking nobility, so he had to show respect. On top of that, there were several other Imperial Princes present who held Succession Rights.

"You've probably never tasted anything like it before. After all, it was cooked with ingredients brought from an extremely bountiful dimension."

Was there such a place?

Everyone murmured. When a dimension was discovered, it was reviewed for anything usable, and a report went up at once. It was a chief concern of the royals and high-ranking nobles. If a place overflowing with ingredients that produced such rich flavors had been discovered, there was no way they wouldn't know.

Questions abounded, but Jinwoo did not spell it out to relieve their curiosity, only grinning.

"First, I offer my thanks to my beloved Nunim, who has graced this occasion. In my rebellious days, watching my Nunim was what let me steady my heart."

When Jinwoo stretched out his hand and pointed to Scharnhilde, she smiled and nodded.

"And I would also like to say thank you to my Hyeongnim, who rushed all this way out of worry for their younger brother."

Jinwoo politely bowed to each of the Imperial Princes in turn to express his gratitude. The Imperial Princes looked at Jinwoo in surprise.

Jinwoo met each of them warmly and mentioned their names.

"Because I have my Hyeongnim, my Nunim, and my younger siblings, the future of the Kalsus Dimensional Empire is so very bright."

When Jinwoo looked at Jun, Jun sprang to his feet, let out a cheer, and clapped. At that, the high-ranking nobles, who had been reading the room, followed his lead.

As thunderous applause and a shower of cheers that shook the building rang out through the banquet hall, every Imperial Prince and Princess, Scharnhilde included, seemed deeply moved, their eyes reddening.

There were plenty of sycophants around, but not a single one had the ability to put on a performance like this. They all merely offered exaggerated flattery.

The faces of all of them were flushed.

Receiving the cheers and applause of the high-ranking nobles seemed to give them a rush. Jinwoo waited for the applause and cheers to die down before he began to speak again.

"And all of this is thanks to His Majesty the Emperor, the eternal light, who has guided me. For His Majesty the Emperor!"

"For His Majesty the Emperor!"

This time too, when Jun called it out first, everyone hastily shouted it along with him. The 2nd Imperial Prince, caught up in the rush, sprang to his feet, clenched his fist, and shouted in a booming voice.

Everyone in the banquet hall was captivated by Jinwoo.

Now let's move on to the showcase in earnest.

When Jinwoo snapped his fingers, flower petals swirled through the banquet hall. The petals fell onto the tables, and the moment they touched a hand they crumbled and vanished.

"You are probably anxious."

Jinwoo's compelling voice went on.

The high-ranking nobles, and even the royals, were drawn into Jinwoo's voice.

"Since this scoundrel built Reist World and amassed great wealth, it's only natural to expect that discord would come to the Sanctuary. I understand. I've caused so much trouble that I would think the same if I were you."

The royals nodded.

Anxiety could be read in their eyes. The wealth Reist World had amassed rivaled even the Crown Prince's. And that gap would only widen going forward, and with a great many nobles supporting him, it was obvious that if things were left alone, his rank in the Succession would climb rapidly.

"There is no need to worry. Here, before everyone, I will swear it. As of this moment, I renounce my Imperial Succession Rights."

"What?!"

"His Succession Rights?"

"Why?"

The instant Jinwoo's words dropped, the Imperial Princes sprang to their feet, and Scharnhilde too was aghast.

"Rather than compete over rank, I want to do work for the Kalsus Dimensional Empire. Reist World is one such means."

The 2nd Imperial Prince looked at Jinwoo.

When their eyes met, he composed his expression and opened his mouth.

"I understand your heart well. You are well aware that once renounced, Succession Rights can never be reclaimed, yes?"

"Of course, Hyeongnim."

"Hoo, I see. I'm sorry for being so harsh to you all this time."

"Not at all. Every word of it did me good and helped me grow."

The mood among the royals improved.

Even if he renounced his Succession Rights, his standing as an Imperial Prince would remain unchanged, so his influence would stay the same, but the significance of having renounced his Succession Rights was enormous.

He could be welcomed into one's own faction without fear of betrayal.

If they could make Reist, holder of immense wealth, their ally, they could grow their faction large enough to rival the Crown Prince.

"As expected of my little brother! Heheheh!"

Scharnhilde wore the smile of a victor. She had been the first to seek him out and had spent a long time with him, so of course he would support her.

Jinwoo, with a calm expression, began to speak again.

"Thanks to all of you waging valiant battles in Reist World, I was able to build up wealth beyond my station. But none of this is for my personal gain. From now on, I will tell you the reason I created Reist World."

What he was about to say was, in truth, an absurd tale, but Jinwoo was confident he could make them accept it. That was because he had been steadily building up to it all along.

When Jinwoo stretched out his hand, a large Information Window rose up above the stage.

Since this was technology already shown off through the bracelets handed out when online payment was introduced, they weren't surprised. It was only that the Information Window was so enormous that they gazed at it with wonder.

On the Information Window appeared the form of the Erosion, the Dimensional Predator.

It was shown confined in a massive cage covered with all manner of devices.

"Gah!"

"That is? A Dimensional Predator?"

Everyone was aghast.

Jinwoo wore a confident smile and clenched his fist.

"At last, I have succeeded in capturing a Dimensional Predator alive."

"Wait! Why did you keep it secret?"

The 2nd Imperial Prince cut in and spoke before Jinwoo had even finished.

Unlike nobles, Imperial Princes were permitted to act independently. Almost anything was allowed, so long as it wasn't defecting from the Kalsus Dimensional Empire or causing it harm.

"The traitors who follow the Dimensional Predators have been quite active. On top of that, because of the mysterious plague that has recently spread, secrecy had to be maintained. Everything is for the project I will present to you today."

"Since when has this been underway? Don't tell me, the time you began to stray..."

Did you deliberately play the scoundrel for the sake of the Kalsus Dimensional Empire!

When Scharnhilde said that, Jinwoo nodded. Everyone began to misunderstand on their own.

When Jinwoo waved his hand, the Information Window changed to reveal the form of a colossal dimension. It was smaller than the Kalsus Dimensional Empire, but it was more vast and bountiful than any dimension discovered until now.

"Ahh..."

"Beautiful."

"To think such a dimension exists!"

Everyone marveled.

"That is precisely why the Dimensional Predator forced its way across the border. If we claim that place, we will be able to wield formidable influence in the dimensional realm."

A desire to make that place a colony at once stirred within the royals.

"There is one more reason we must occupy that place. It is because it is certain the force that obstructed us came from there."

"In that case, let us immediately raise a legion and..."

At the 2nd Imperial Prince's words, Jinwoo shook his head.

"That place is beyond the Wall of the Abyss. A legion cannot cross over."

Jinwoo showed a map of the dimensional realm, then pointed to the north. There too, countless Bubble Dimensions formed the Wall of the Abyss.

Just as everyone's expressions were tinged with disappointment.

"A large-scale legion cannot cross over, but there is a way. Using the Dimensional Predator, I was able to develop Dimensional Leap technology to cross the Wall of the Abyss. Thanks to that technology, I was able to observe that dimension. And I became able to wield a technology called 'Authority'. I poured in every bit of the fortune I have gathered so far and completed the 'Authority System'."

Strong anticipation settled over everyone's faces.

Jinwoo was toying with everyone's hearts.

"Through the Authority System, I can create an Avatar, imbue it with your will, and send it to that bountiful dimension via Dimensional Leap."

The form of an Avatar rose up on the Information Window.

"The Avatar can be made to your own taste. A beautiful knight, a powerful warrior, or a dimensional mage who wields Dimensional Energy. It's all for you to decide by your will."

The high-ranking nobles swallowed hard.

"There is a price for using the Authority System. That price is treasure such as gold coins, jewels, and slaves."

A small Information Window appeared before each of those wearing bracelets.

[You may pay the price to create an Avatar.]

It was an Avatar creation window.

"It really does create one?"

"So it's structured to withdraw money from the account automatically."

Creating an Avatar cost money too.

It was all because of the Authority System!

The high-ranking nobles who tried creating an Avatar were amazed. They could immediately reflect the appearance they wanted, and could adjust it in detail down to every last strand of down.

But wait, with this Avatar, they could go to that colossal dimension via Dimensional Leap?

Was that possible?

Just as that question surfaced in everyone's minds.

Jinwoo nodded with a solemn expression.

"Yes, you can become a Hero who accomplishes legendary feats. In this beautiful Sanctuary, in your mansion, in your garden, on your vessel! Anywhere at all!"

When Jinwoo raised his hand and pointed to the Information Window, a giant RL logo rose up, and along with majestic background music, a fantastical video began to play.

*****

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