Chapter 39 - 38: The Other Players

Chapter 39: Chapter 38: The Other Players

Arin stared at the final line floating above his Authority Band.

«PREVIOUS EXTERNAL PLAYER INCURSION:

RECORDED DURING PRIME FALL.»

For several seconds, he said nothing.

Behind the transparent security barrier, Marcus waited patiently. The man seemed to understand that whatever Arin was reading mattered more than another explanation from him.

Lucan did not share that patience.

"What happened?"

Arin closed the System window.

"Apparently people from Earth were here before."

Lucan frowned.

"Before you?"

"Long before me."

"How long?"

"Prime Fall."

Lucan’s expression changed immediately.

"The event Tavian mentioned."

"Yes."

"The one where cities disappeared."

"Yes."

"And Seraphine started purging people."

"Apparently."

Lucan stared at Marcus.

"Wonderful."

Marcus couldn’t understand him, but the tone needed no translation.

"What did he say?"

"He likes you."

Lucan turned toward Arin.

"I absolutely did not say that."

Marcus smiled.

"Yeah. I guessed."

Arin looked back at him.

"You said six people from Earth."

"That I know of."

"Names."

Marcus’s smile faded.

"You’re going to want more than names."

"I want everything."

"That’ll take longer than five minutes."

Arin considered him.

"Then you earned ten."

Marcus laughed once.

Arin didn’t.

The man sighed.

"Right. Tough audience."

He lowered his backpack onto the ground and sat on the nearby bench.

"The first person I met was Daniel Park."

"Nationality?"

"Korean-American. At least on Earth."

"Ability?"

"Game System."

"What kind?"

Marcus hesitated.

"Strategy."

Arin’s expression sharpened.

"Explain."

"Troops. territory management. construction. resource collection."

That sounded dangerously similar to part of Arin’s own abilities.

"Where is he?"

"Dead."

"How?"

Marcus looked away.

"Hollow Crown."

Lucan recognized the name and became attentive.

Arin continued.

"When?"

"Five years ago."

"Body?"

"I saw it."

"Cause?"

Marcus’s jaw tightened.

"They cut his System Core out."

Silence.

Arin’s expression became completely still.

"System Core."

"That’s what they called it."

"You have one?"

Marcus touched his chest.

"I don’t know."

"Can your System identify it?"

"No."

"Convenient."

"Trust me, I’ve complained."

Arin looked toward EVE’s security lens.

"Scan him again."

EVE answered privately.

"External interference persists."

Interesting.

"Second player."

Marcus took a breath.

"Aisha Rahman."

"Ability?"

"Survival game."

"What does that mean?"

"Crafting. gathering. shelter construction. medicine. environmental resistance."

"Status?"

"Dead."

"Same people?"

Marcus shook his head.

"Monster outbreak."

"Where?"

"Northern continent."

"Body confirmed?"

"No."

Arin immediately adjusted the category.

"Then not confirmed dead."

Marcus looked at him.

"I saw the city after."

"Did you see her body?"

"No."

"Then missing."

Marcus was silent for a second.

"Fair."

"Third."

"Gabriel Santos."

"Ability?"

"Racing game."

Arin blinked.

Marcus smiled faintly.

"That was my reaction too."

"Vehicles?"

"Cars. motorcycles. upgrades. repair systems."

"Combat?"

"Some vehicles had weapons."

That was closer to Arin’s original power set.

"Status?"

"Missing."

"When?"

"Three years ago."

"Last location?"

"The Black Coast."

Lucan spoke.

"I know that place."

Arin looked at him.

"What is it?"

"Former kingdom. Monsters destroyed most settlements about twenty years ago. Guilds abandoned it."

Marcus watched them.

"What did he say?"

Arin translated.

Marcus nodded.

"Yeah. That’s where Gabriel disappeared."

"Fourth."

Marcus hesitated.

This one mattered.

"Selene Marr."

The Royal Inspector.

"Earth name?"

"That is her Earth name."

"Interesting."

"She didn’t bother changing it."

"Ability?"

Marcus smiled.

"Detective game."

Arin stared.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously."

"What does it do?"

"Evidence detection. lie probability. investigation zones. suspect tracking. information reconstruction."

That explained how she had climbed within the Royal Guild.

Probably.

"Combat?"

"Not much."

"Relationship with you?"

"Complicated."

"Meaning?"

"We worked together for about two years."

"And?"

"She decided integrating into the existing power structure was safer."

"Was she wrong?"

Marcus considered.

"No."

Good answer.

Arin continued.

"Does she know you’re here?"

"Probably."

"Does she know about me?"

"Definitely now."

Arin thought about the Royal Guild intervention at Valerius.

Selene had stopped Vaelor.

Coincidence?

Possibly.

He didn’t like coincidences.

"Fifth."

Marcus became visibly less comfortable.

"Victor Kane."

"Real name?"

"As far as I know."

"Ability?"

"Military shooter."

Arin’s eyes narrowed.

"Details."

"Weapons. armor. tactical equipment. drones. ammunition generation."

There it was.

Someone with a power much closer to Arin’s.

"Faction?"

"Hollow Crown."

Lucan’s face hardened when Arin translated.

"How powerful?" Arin asked.

Marcus gave him a long look.

"Very."

"Useful measurement."

"Strong enough that I don’t fight him."

"That tells me about you, not him."

Marcus sighed.

"He destroyed a B-Rank monster nest alone three years after arriving."

Arin remained expressionless.

"With what?"

"An anti-material rifle and drones."

Lucan frowned after hearing the translated explanation.

"What’s a rifle?"

Arin looked at him.

"Later."

Lucan pointed toward Marcus.

"He has been here ten minutes and already gets more ’later’ than I have in eighteen years."

Arin ignored him.

"Victor’s position in Hollow Crown?"

"Unknown. High enough that ordinary members obey him."

"Does he know about Elysium?"

Marcus looked directly toward Arin.

"Yes."

That mattered.

"How?"

"I don’t know."

"Does he know where it is?"

"Until today? Probably not."

Arin’s expression cooled.

"And now?"

Marcus glanced toward his smartphone.

"Depends whether his System gave him the same world event."

Arin immediately opened the Family Link.

"EVE."

"Listening."

"Full perimeter concealment remains active?"

"Yes."

"Any new scans?"

"Multiple long-range mana probes. All blocked."

"Direction?"

"Several."

Not useful enough.

"Strengthen detection around access routes. No one enters without direct authorization."

"Confirmed."

Marcus watched.

"You really do have a city System."

Arin looked at him.

"You haven’t earned questions."

"Right."

"Sixth player."

Marcus’s expression became grim.

"Elena Volkov."

"Ability?"

"RPG."

"That’s broad."

"Very."

"Class?"

"Necromancer."

Lucan understood that word through translation.

His face changed.

"That’s unpleasant."

Marcus nodded despite not understanding the sentence.

"It gets worse."

Arin waited.

"Elena joined Hollow Crown before Victor."

"Are they allied?"

"I think so."

"How powerful?"

"I don’t know anymore."

"Last confirmed ability."

Marcus leaned forward.

"She could resurrect monsters."

Arin frowned.

"As undead?"

"Yes."

"People?"

Marcus didn’t answer immediately.

That was enough.

"People too."

"Yes."

Arin’s expression became cold.

"How many?"

"I’ve seen thirty."

Lucan swore softly after Arin translated.

Marcus continued.

"That was four years ago."

Arin understood the implication.

Four years of growth.

Not good.

Still manageable.

Everything was manageable once understood.

"Why did they join Hollow Crown?"

"Victor wanted resources."

"And Elena?"

"I don’t know."

"Guess."

Marcus hesitated.

"She liked power."

Arin nodded.

Possible.

Not enough to build conclusions around.

"Now you."

Marcus raised an eyebrow.

"You already asked."

"Not enough."

Arin pointed toward the smartphone.

"Your System."

Marcus looked at it.

"Open-world adventure game."

"Name?"

"No name."

"Functions."

"I told you."

"Some."

Marcus sighed.

"Fine."

He unlocked the phone.

"Inventory. Map. quests. fast travel points, but only ones I’ve personally discovered. translation. basic crafting. vehicle storage. skill progression. shops."

Arin’s eyes narrowed.

"Shops?"

"System shop."

"Currency?"

"Quest points."

"Can you buy Earth technology?"

"Some."

"Give examples."

"Phones. camping equipment. medicine. tools. weapons."

"Firearms?"

"Yes."

Lucan looked between them.

"You both suddenly look serious."

Arin continued.

"Vehicles?"

"Motorcycles. basic cars. eventually armored vehicles, according to locked menus."

"Fuel?"

"System-generated if stored in inventory."

"Ammo?"

"Purchased."

"Food?"

"Some."

"Construction?"

"Basic shelters."

Arin studied him.

Marcus’s power was versatile.

Not overwhelmingly strong.

At least from what he described.

A survival-adventure protagonist.

Useful.

Potentially dangerous.

"Level?"

Marcus smiled.

"No."

Arin raised an eyebrow.

"Finally found something you won’t answer."

"Exactly."

"Fine."

Marcus seemed surprised.

"That’s it?"

"You established a boundary."

Marcus stared.

Arin continued.

"I’ll judge whether that boundary becomes a problem later."

The man slowly nodded.

"You’re different from the others."

"How?"

"They always wanted everything."

"Information is useful."

Arin shrugged.

"Forcing someone to reveal every secret makes them lie."

Marcus laughed quietly.

"You’re definitely not what I expected."

Arin turned toward A-01.

"Guest protocol."

The Officer stepped forward.

Marcus immediately became wary.

"What is that?"

Arin switched to English.

"Temporary external residence."

"You mean I’m allowed inside?"

"No."

Marcus sighed.

"Of course."

"Outer station only."

"Food?"

"Yes."

"Bed?"

"Yes."

"Shower?"

Arin looked toward EVE.

"Available."

Marcus put a hand over his heart.

"Founder, you have my loyalty."

"No, I don’t."

"Temporary gratitude?"

"Acceptable."

Lucan looked irritated.

"What did he say?"

"He wanted a shower."

Lucan stared.

"That’s what this historic reunion has become?"

"Apparently."

Arin turned toward the inner door.

"You’re staying here tonight."

Marcus nodded.

"Fair."

"Tomorrow, I speak with Selene."

Marcus’s expression changed.

"Careful."

Arin stopped.

"Why?"

"She isn’t Hollow Crown."

"That wasn’t my question."

Marcus leaned back.

"Selene believes Systems are choosing us for something."

Arin glanced toward his Authority Band.

"So does everyone."

"No."

Marcus shook his head.

"I mean choosing us against each other."

Arin became still.

"Explain."

Marcus looked at his phone.

"My quests changed whenever I encountered another Player."

"How?"

"Competition objectives."

"Examples."

"Reach a location before Daniel."

"Reward?"

"Skill point."

"More."

"Collect more monster cores than Aisha."

"Reward?"

"Inventory upgrade."

Arin’s expression hardened.

"Did they receive similar quests?"

"Yes."

"Against you?"

"Yes."

There it was.

A game.

Not metaphorically.

Their Systems had encouraged competition.

"Did anyone receive kill quests?"

Marcus went quiet.

Lucan couldn’t understand the conversation, but he saw the answer on Marcus’s face.

Arin’s voice lowered.

"Who?"

"Victor."

"Target?"

"Daniel."

Silence.

"And Daniel died to Hollow Crown."

"Yes."

"Did Victor kill him?"

"I don’t know."

"Do you suspect him?"

"Yes."

Arin filed it away.

Marcus continued.

"That’s why Selene stopped trusting the Systems."

Arin almost smiled.

Finally.

Someone sensible.

"Then we have something in common."

Marcus stared at him.

"You’re suspicious of yours?"

"I rejected its largest upgrade less than two hours ago."

Marcus’s mouth opened.

"What upgrade?"

"Civilization Authority."

The phone in his hand vibrated.

Immediately.

Both men froze.

Marcus slowly looked down.

His face changed.

Arin saw the screen through the security camera.

«PLAYER INTERACTION MILESTONE.

PLAYER TWO HAS DISCLOSED A MAJOR PROGRESSION DECISION.

COMPETITIVE RESPONSE AVAILABLE.

CLAIM ADVANTAGE?»

Marcus stared.

Arin stared.

Then Marcus pressed:

«DECLINE.»

The message vanished.

Arin looked at him differently.

Marcus shrugged.

"Seemed rude."

Arin almost laughed.

Almost.

Then Marcus’s phone vibrated again.

«COMPETITIVE RESPONSE DECLINED.

COOPERATIVE CONDITION DETECTED.»

Marcus’s expression changed.

Arin’s Authority Band activated simultaneously.

«EXTERNAL PLAYER COOPERATION DETECTED.

LEGACY PROTOCOL RESPONDING.»

Two completely different Systems were communicating.

Arin did not like that.

The lights in the reception chamber flickered.

EVE’s voice became urgent.

"Founder."

"I know."

"No."

Her tone changed.

"This is separate."

Arin’s expression hardened.

"What?"

"House Elysium has detected an incoming aircraft."

Marcus looked up.

"Aircraft?"

Lucan immediately reached for his knife.

Arin opened the security projection.

A distant object crossed the mountain range.

Fast.

Very fast.

Not a dragon.

Not a magical beast.

Metal.

Angular.

Twin engines burned behind it.

Arin stared.

Marcus stood.

"No way."

The aircraft banked.

Its design was unmistakably modern.

Not Elysium.

Earth-inspired.

A military jet.

Lucan stared at the projection.

"What in the hells is that?"

Marcus looked at Arin.

"Victor."

Arin’s eyes narrowed.

"Certain?"

"Nobody else has unlocked aircraft."

The jet approached the outer mountain range.

EVE spoke.

"Target has entered defensive perimeter."

"Weapon lock?"

"Available."

"Do not fire yet."

Lucan looked at him.

"Why?"

"Because if he wanted to attack from the air, he wouldn’t approach alone."

Marcus’s expression tightened.

"You don’t know Victor."

"No."

Arin looked at the jet.

"But I know people who want something."

The aircraft slowed.

Impossible for a normal jet.

Thrusters rotated.

It descended vertically toward a plateau outside the concealment field.

The landing gear touched stone.

Engines powered down.

The cockpit opened.

One man climbed out.

Tall.

Black tactical armor.

A rifle remained secured across his back.

He removed his helmet.

Short blond hair.

Scar across one cheek.

Perhaps thirty-five.

He looked directly toward House Elysium’s hidden entrance.

Then toward Marcus.

Marcus went pale.

"Victor."

Victor Kane smiled.

He spoke in English.

"Eight years, Marcus."

Marcus’s hands tightened.

Victor then looked toward the hidden security lens.

"And you must be Player Two."

Arin said nothing.

Victor’s smile widened.

"Relax."

He removed the rifle from his back.

Lucan immediately drew his knife.

Arin’s hand moved toward his sidearm.

Victor held the rifle by two fingers.

Then placed it carefully on the ground.

Next came his sidearm.

Knife.

Two grenades.

Another knife.

Marcus stared.

"That’s new."

Arin looked at him.

"What?"

"He doesn’t disarm."

Victor raised both empty hands.

"I didn’t come to fight."

Arin activated the external speaker.

"Then why are you here?"

Victor’s smile disappeared.

For the first time, the man looked genuinely serious.

"Because Hollow Crown is moving."

"Toward me?"

"No."

Victor shook his head.

"Toward every Player."

Marcus stiffened.

Arin’s expression remained calm.

"Why?"

Victor reached slowly into a pouch.

A-01 moved.

"Stop."

Victor froze.

Arin watched.

"Two fingers."

Victor obeyed.

He removed a small crystal.

Black.

Something moved inside it.

Arin’s Authority Band reacted instantly.

«FOREIGN SYSTEM FRAGMENT DETECTED.»

Marcus’s phone began vibrating repeatedly.

Victor held the crystal up.

"We found this three days ago."

"Where?"

"Inside a dead Player."

Marcus went completely still.

"Who?"

Victor looked at him.

"Gabriel."

Marcus’s face changed.

The missing racing-system user.

Arin’s eyes narrowed.

"You confirmed the body?"

"I recovered it myself."

"Cause of death?"

Victor looked toward the crystal.

"System extraction."

Silence.

Marcus whispered:

"Like Daniel."

Victor nodded.

"Exactly like Daniel."

Arin looked at him.

"And you expect me to believe Hollow Crown wasn’t responsible?"

Victor laughed bitterly.

"That’s the problem."

His eyes hardened.

"We weren’t."

Lucan looked toward Arin after hearing the translation.

Arin continued.

"Then who was?"

Victor raised the black crystal.

"We don’t know."

The fragment suddenly pulsed.

Every light in the reception chamber went out.

Arin drew his sidearm.

A-01’s spear appeared.

Lucan moved beside him.

Marcus’s phone screen turned black.

Then white text appeared.

Victor’s tactical visor activated by itself.

Arin’s Authority Band flashed.

Three Systems.

Three identical messages.

«PLAYER COUNT UPDATED.

ACTIVE PLAYERS:

5.

REQUIRED PLAYERS FOR NEXT PHASE:

4. »

Nobody spoke.

Then another line appeared.

«ELIMINATION PHASE:

AVAILABLE.»

Marcus stared at his phone.

Victor’s face lost all color.

Arin’s eyes became cold.

A final message appeared.

«FIRST PLAYER ELIMINATION REWARD:

ABSORB 25% OF TARGET SYSTEM FUNCTIONS.»

Lucan couldn’t read English.

But he saw Arin’s face.

"What does it say?"

Arin looked through the barrier at Victor.

Then at Marcus.

Two men from Earth.

Two different Systems.

Both suddenly being offered power for killing the others.

He holstered his weapon.

Marcus noticed.

Victor did too.

Arin closed the prompt.

"No."

Marcus slowly lowered his phone.

Victor stared at Arin.

"You understand what that reward means?"

"Yes."

"You could take abilities from another System."

"Yes."

"And you’re refusing?"

Arin looked at him.

"I already have enough things trying to tell me how to live."

The prompt reopened.

Arin closed it again.

Victor’s expression became strange.

Not disbelief.

Something closer to realization.

Arin looked toward Marcus.

"Do not accept."

Marcus nodded.

"Wasn’t planning to."

Then toward Victor.

Victor remained silent.

Arin’s eyes narrowed.

"Victor."

The man’s gaze remained on the reward screen.

Twenty-five percent.

Weapons.

Vehicles.

Inventory.

Construction.

Skills.

Every Player represented an upgrade.

Arin watched his face.

Then Victor smiled.

Slowly.

Marcus stepped backward.

"Victor."

Victor looked toward Arin.

And pressed something on his invisible interface.

Marcus swore.

Lucan raised his knife.

A-01 lowered its spear.

EVE’s defenses activated.

Arin’s hand moved toward his sidearm.

Then Victor’s System announced:

«ELIMINATION PHASE DECLINED.»

Silence.

Victor exhaled.

"Twenty-five percent is insulting."

Marcus stared.

Victor smiled.

"I’d want at least fifty."

Arin looked at him for a long moment.

Then, despite himself, he almost liked the bastard.

Almost.

Before anyone could speak, all three Systems flashed again.

«THREE PLAYERS HAVE DECLINED ELIMINATION.

COOPERATIVE ROUTE THRESHOLD REACHED.»

Arin’s expression changed.

Victor’s smile disappeared.

Marcus looked down at his phone.

The next message appeared simultaneously before all three of them.

«HIDDEN ROUTE UNLOCKED:

BREAK THE GAME.»

And beneath it—

«OBJECTIVE:

FIND THE PLAYER WHO HAS BEEN KILLING THE OTHERS.

CURRENT LOCATION:

HOUSE VALERIUS.»

Arin stopped breathing for half a second.

House Valerius.

He had left barely hours ago.

Then the final line appeared.

«TARGET HAS ALREADY MADE CONTACT WITH DUKE ALDRIC VALERIUS.»

Arin’s expression went completely cold.

He turned toward EVE.

"Get me Roland."

Immediately.