The Ruined World Was Mistaken for a Game

Translator: Dreamscribe

The opening for RL, which Jinwoo and Jun had prepared together, played out before everyone's eyes!

Everyone's eyes went wide and their mouths fell open.

Things like movies did exist in the Kalsus Dimensional Empire, but they were nothing more than clumsy stage plays turned into footage. Even those had poor picture quality and shoddy sound, so they were merely a peculiar hobby enjoyed by a handful of high-ranking nobles.

But the footage unfolding before them now was so vivid and beautiful. As the RL logo faded away, the gorgeous scenery of the Kalsus Dimensional Empire appeared, and a blue planet emerged.

The planet ruled by the 4th Imperial Prince.

It was the very planet where Reist World stood and where everyone here was gathered.

As if a warship were descending, the view rushed swiftly toward Reist's great mansion.

"Uh, uwaah?!"

"Uuugh!"

"Kyaah!"

The high-ranking nobles staring at the Information Window flinched, throwing their arms up.

They must have felt the sensation of plummeting downward.

Their bodies had reacted on their own to moving footage displayed in such crisp quality on this enormous Information Window.

Not even the Legion's imaging devices could produce this kind of lifelike picture quality. Everyone could do nothing but marvel.

The view passed through the mansion and settled on the figure of a man.

It was the 4th Imperial Prince, Reist. Reist sat in a chair with a solemn expression, and before him was placed a large round table. Reist's retainers, including Jun and Berto, sat at the round table and gazed at Reist.

[Are the preparations complete?]

When Reist spoke in his solemn voice, everyone hardened their expressions and saluted him.

[Your Highness! We are prepared to follow!]

[Boundless light to the Kalsus Dimensional Empire!]

[For His Majesty the Emperor!]

The moment Jun and the retainers shouted this, the music swelled. A grim solemnity flowed through it, like men marching out to a battlefield they could not win. The high-ranking nobles, feeling such an atmosphere for the first time, gulped down their saliva.

Whoosh!

Reist thrust out his hand.

[As of this moment, the RL Project is activated!]

At his command, the mansion trembled and the courtyard split open. The light bursting from the courtyard poured directly into Reist World.

The view followed the light down into the depths beneath Reist World.

As the light reached an enormous machine in the underground, it roared to life with a clamor of mechanical noise, like an engine turning over.

BZZRRT!

Reist and his retainers touched their bracelets with crisp, disciplined motions.

[Login!]

Following Reist's shout, everyone cried out "Login". At that, the Information Window rising above their bracelets grew until it filled their entire field of view.

A control panel glowing with blue light formed in Reist's hands, and a majestic hero appeared on the screen. It was Reist's Avatar.

[Lv.13] Reist

Title: For the Empire

Class: Knight

Reist's Avatar looked exactly like the real Reist. It wore armor gleaming with silver light and held a radiant Holy Sword. When Reist selected the Avatar, it was enveloped in light and the view changed.

He arrived at a vast plain.

The plain was so beautiful that merely looking at it lifted the spirits. But then something strange happened.

THUD-THUD-THUD!

The ground rumbled as if an earthquake had struck, and the whole plain began to wither and shrivel. What burst up through the ground was a Skeleton Knight. The Skeleton Knight summoned skeletons as it turned its gaze toward Reist.

[So the disgusting vermin of the Empire has come.]

That eerie voice stirred up dread.

When the Skeleton Knight stretched out its hand, darkness surged in and the surroundings began to rot. The sight instilled a terror that surpassed even a Dimensional Predator.

If a Dimensional Predator was an incomprehensible, unknown foe, then that Skeleton Knight was a monster straight out of a nightmare.

"Kyaah!"

"Hgnh!"

"A, a, a monster...!"

The faint-hearted nobles screamed at the sight.

But Reist's Avatar did not retreat. It raised its sacred sword and leveled it at the Skeleton Knight.

[The Empire will not lose!]

His cry turned into text and floated up above his head. In that instant, light fell from the sky, and Reist's retainers appeared behind him.

Each of the retainers had a distinctive class of their own and wore beautiful armor. The sight was like looking at a work of art. Reist's retainers took their places at his side and summoned their weapons.

[For the Kalsus Dimensional Empire!]

When Reist shouted this and charged, his retainers followed. The sight stirred something deep within their chests.

"Aah!"

"S, so cool!"

"Kyaah!"

Nothing but gasps of awe came out.

The 2nd Imperial Prince clenched his fist tight, tears actually streaming down his face. Why had this beautiful heroic figure gone unknown all this time!

His younger brother had been fighting such a grueling battle all along!

Solely for the Kalsus Dimensional Empire!

The imperial family too trembled all over, swept up in emotion.

A desperate battle followed. With a single gesture from the Skeleton Knight, the retainers' bodies burst apart, and Reist tumbled across the ground.

[Give up. The Empire is finished now. We have come!]

The Skeleton Knight declared arrogantly.

[Every dimension you have discovered belongs to us.]

When the Skeleton Knight stretched out its hand, the ground split open and enormous monsters revealed themselves. Soldiers of the Kalsus Dimensional Empire army stricken with the Evil God Disease appeared as well, and they began to move like slaves.

[Now we shall come. Wait for the day you are devoured by us. We are terror itself.]

Terror surged in.

That Skeleton Knight was speaking to everyone in the banquet hall. It had declared war, vowing to occupy the dimensions and march on the Kalsus Dimensional Empire.

Reist staggered to his feet.

[We have countless heroes.]

Reist did not give up.

Even in the face of that overwhelming army, he proudly straightened his back.

[We will wipe you out!]

That cry rang throughout the banquet hall.

[We are the Kalsus Dimensional Empire itself!]

Shouting this, he charged forth with the light. The Skeleton Knight marveled at his courage. Letting out an eerie laugh, it drew a sword made of pure darkness.

KWAAAAH!

When the Skeleton Knight swung its sword, the ground split apart, and the rupture ran all the way to a distant mountain. Even though it was a casual swing, it rivaled the energy beam of a large warship.

Reist and his retainers were left in a wretched state, collapsed on the ground. Reist tried to rise, but he could not stand and dropped to his knees.

The Skeleton Knight walked up before him and looked down at him.

[Then prove it!]

The Skeleton Knight swung its sword and ended Reist's life.

"Hgk!"

"No!"

"Kyaah!"

The banquet hall became a sea of tears.

The high-ranking nobles clamped their hands over their mouths and wept, and the 2nd Imperial Prince and the imperial family could not hide their expressions of bitter fury. Everyone felt a hot emotion surging up within their chests, unable to contain themselves.

Imperial Pride.

It was the moment the Kalsus Dimensional Empire's Imperial Pride was born.

BANG!

Reist slammed his fist down on the round table.

The Information Window was flashing, stained red.

[You have died.]

Reist squeezed his eyes shut and rose from his seat. His bitter feelings were conveyed to everyone. Silently, he gazed at Reist World in the distance.

[Listen.]

The retainers stood and knelt behind him.

[We will suffer countless defeats yet to come. But we have our heroes. Do not lose hope.]

Heroes.

They were the nobles fighting fierce battles in Reist World. Following Reist's gaze, the view turned toward the sky. There, countless warships were showing off their splendor. The soldiers inside them were heroes as well.

[It's a little early, but I shall have to unveil the RL Project.]

[But, Your Highness! We won't be able to bear the cost of the Authority System! Have you not already liquidated your entire fortune?]

When Jun objected, Reist smiled and shook his head.

[The Empire comes first.]

[Kh-khk!]

[Your Highness...!]

At Reist's words, the retainers shed hot tears. The Reist in the footage turned his head to look straight ahead. It was framed as though he were looking at everyone in the banquet hall.

[Heroes! Please join RL!]

With that cry, the footage ended. The Information Window turned black and then vanished as if shattering apart.

Silence.

A hush settled over the banquet hall.

No one could say a word. Such a crisis had been at hand, and they had known nothing of it. If not for that Reist standing up on the stage, they would have suffered enormous damage at the hands of that absurd monster.

Seeing everyone's grave expressions, Jinwoo took a step forward.

"The scene you just saw is reality. I used everything I possess to try and do something about it somehow, but I failed miserably. And on top of that, I uncovered the shocking truth that the Skeleton Knight is nothing more than a mere subordinate."

"What?!"

"A monster that attacks like a battleship..."

"J, just a mere subordinate!"

The banquet hall was dyed with shock.

It felt like an even greater threat than a Dimensional Predator.

"I need all of your strength. The souls I saw through the Authority System are already heroes in their own right. Will you lend me your power?"

When Jinwoo bowed his head and said this, the 2nd Imperial Prince shot to his feet.

"Brother, you have suffered greatly all this time. Worry no longer. I will stand with you."

"I will join you as well."

"May there be light upon the Kalsus Dimensional Empire! I too...!"

Unable to master the emotions boiling up within them, everyone shouted with spittle flying from their lips. Jinwoo looked over them all, his eyes reddening. Scharnhilde sniffled and grabbed the hand of Jun beside her.

"You've been through a great deal."

"N, no, not at all."

Jun had cringed inside and out while making that footage.

If it had been released back on Earth, it was packed with such cheesy sentimentality that it would have gotten flamed to death. And yet, seeing Scharnhilde's face gazing at him with brimming eyes, that thought vanished completely.

The 2nd Imperial Prince gazed at Jinwoo, breathing heavily.

"I want to go this very instant. When can we go?"

At his words, the imperial family and high-ranking nobles all nodded.

Jinwoo pretended to fall into thought for a moment.

"The Authority System hasn't been optimized yet, so it demands a heavy price. I've already spent all the wealth I amassed in Reist World, but..."

"Do not worry about the price. Who do you think I am?"

Jinwoo met the 2nd Imperial Prince's eyes with a look full of emotion.

"Thank you, brother."

"A, ahem! It's for the sake of the Empire, so think nothing of it."

The mood heated up just as Jinwoo intended.

The high of Imperial Pride, felt for the very first time in their lives, would not fade easily. He would keep this atmosphere going.

"Understood. As I said, everyone here possesses the soul of a hero. I will grant you first access to the Authority System."

"Ooh!"

"Khh!"

Cheers erupted.

"Those of you without a bracelet, speak to the servants. We will open an account for you right away."

"How should the price be paid?"

When a high-ranking noble asked, Jinwoo immediately launched into the line he'd prepared.

"If you register the assets or gold coins you hold at the Golden Bank, I will first cover the price with my own wealth and Imperial Gold Coins. Then you may send it to my planet at a later time."

"Hgk!"

"But wouldn't that place too great a burden on you, Your Highness?"

Jinwoo shook his head.

"It's all for the sake of the Empire."

"Kh-khk...."

"Your Highness! Thank you!"

The high-ranking nobles turned into a sea of tears, and the imperial family nodded, moved. The 2nd Imperial Prince climbed right up onto the stage and pulled Jinwoo into a tight embrace.

"My brother! I will never forget your loyalty."

"I will always cheer on your endeavors, brother."

"Kh-khk! You, you fool...!"

Perhaps sensing a threat, Scharnhilde climbed up onto the stage.

"Don't cling to my brother so much."

"...Scharnhilde. Stop leeching off my brother and go back to your own planet."

The two of them glared at each other.

"Brother, sister. Why not go to the unknown dimensions and compete there? That is a place holding infinite possibility, enough that even Dimensional Predators covet it."

The two nodded and returned to their seats.

Everyone in the banquet hall put on their bracelets and looked at Jinwoo. When Jinwoo stretched out his hand, Information Windows rose from their bracelets.

[Connecting..., Connection complete!]

[Hero! We look forward to your exploits.]

The Information Window grew larger along with those words.

The 2nd Imperial Prince quickly created his Avatar. He wanted to be the first to go to the unknown dimensions and make his mark. Among the classes was "Ruler".

The Ruler had the trait of being able to create its own Blood Alliance.

[This class is permitted only to heroes who hold the right of imperial succession.]

"Hmph, I see."

The 2nd Imperial Prince entered his name, "Kaljest", and carefully customized the appearance.

"Ahem, I think I'll make mine a woman."

"I, is that even allowed?"

"It lets me pick, at least..., wouldn't it be nice to have something pretty?"

There were quite a few who created their ideal type.

Kaljest made his own figure look even more handsome, then pressed the connect button.

FWIP!

At that, the view warped and he arrived on a grassland.

Kaljest placed his hand on the panel floating before the Information Window. At that, the Avatar began to move freely, as if his will were linked to it.

"Oh, fascinating."

[Greetings? Hero, you who hold the soul of a great Ruler. I am "Narok", the assistant of the Authority System.]

Those words appeared.

[You can activate voice chat to communicate with other heroes. If you do not activate voice chat, whatever you say will be output as text.]

"I see."

When Kaljest spoke, his voice echoed within the screen. Kaljest tried moving his Avatar. When he swung a wooden sword, the exhilarating impact of it traveled through the panel and into his hand.

[Impressive! To adapt already, you are remarkable.]

"Hmph, a natural result."

[Perhaps, if it's you, it may just be possible. I shall bring up the Authority System.]

Something appeared on Kaljest's screen.

[The Authority is manifesting!]

*No more shabby looks! Costume Gacha for heroes!

*A hero needs a weapon! Let's roll for a weapon!

*For growth! Battle Pass!

*Create a companion for your hero! Summon a pet!

.

..

....

Countless gacha appeared.

Kaljest pressed the costume tab. At that, splendid outfits spread out before his eyes.

His Avatar was bare-bodied with only trousers on, but the outfits displayed on the Information Window were so gorgeous and stylish. He wanted to wear them himself.

The assistant Narok appeared on the screen as an angel-shaped SD character.

[You can exercise the Authority by offering up a price.]

"A price, you say...."

[One roll for that outfit costs 10 Imperial Gold Coins, which converts to 10G in this currency.]

1G came out to roughly ten million won.

[These are limited-edition premium outfits. If you don't get them now, you won't be able to roll for them. Once other heroes start coming in, they'll get mixed in with cheaper outfits, so it's to your advantage to offer up the price and roll now.]

"I see."

[If you do a 10-roll, your chance of pulling a good outfit rises ever so slightly, so give it a shot!]

The servants in the banquet hall began accepting Imperial Gold Coins or goods in kind, as if they'd been waiting for this. Right there on the spot, they credited the amounts to the accounts.

Others connected around his Avatar. Everyone ran around here and there before meeting their own assistants and receiving guidance.

Kaljest casually put in 10,000G and rolled for an outfit.

WHOOOOSH!

The Information Window filled with light, and an enormous gate appeared. It was like looking at the gates of heaven. When Kaljest operated the panel and opened the gate, pillars of light plunged down and the outfits appeared.

[1-star! 1-star! 1-star...!]

They were all 1-star outfits.

They were better than the trousers he had on now, but compared to the ones he'd seen in the costume tab, they were terribly shabby.

After that he did ten 10-rolls in a row, and only a single 2-star came out.

"Hmm..., still, this much isn't bad."

Just as Kaljest was equipping the 2-star outfit,

The female Avatar beside him gave a little hop. At the same time, beautiful flower petals scattered through the air.

[Congratulations! Lady Scharnhilde has obtained the dimension's very first 3-star outfit!]

*[3-star] Dress of Crimson Flame

A dress that can be worn by the Ruler of Crimson Flame.

With the aid of the Authority, the wearer becomes able to command flames.

[Lady Scharnhilde has become the Ruler of Crimson Flame!]

Those words rose up before the eyes of everyone connected.

"Kyaah! I got it!"

"Congratulations, Your Highness!"

"Jun, it was only possible because you were by my side. Hehe."

Scharnhilde's voice struck Kaljest's ears.

"I got a 3-star on my very first roll. Hehe, surely there's no hero still without a 3-star outfit? If such a person exists, they are a disgrace to the Empire!"

At the sound of Scharnhilde's voice, Kaljest's face twisted.

When he crooked a finger, a servant swiftly approached. He removed his ring and necklace and handed them to the servant. The servant appraised them right on the spot.

Apparently the Authority System handled the appraisal of the price.

"They've been appraised at one hundred thousand Gold. Would you like to deposit it into your account?"

"Less than I expected."

"My apologies. The Authority System is not currently optimized, so the appraisal values are low."

Kaljest nodded and topped up his account.

'Since that wretched woman rolled her outfit first....'

He would be the dimension's first to roll a 3-star pet!

Kaljest dove straight into the gacha.

"Hmmm!"

"A 2-star outfit...!"

"Oh! There's weapon gacha too."

The moment they connected, the rolling continued.

The thrill of rolling was superb, so no one spared any money.

Jinwoo merely watched the scene with a satisfied smile.

'If it's like this even with the gacha, then once the game gets going....'

Their brains would probably melt.

*****

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