Fired Characters from an Idle Game

6. Nadir – (1)

A new revolution had erupted in the world.

This unprecedented cataclysm, later to be known as the Awakened Revolution, was unlike anything ever witnessed in human history.

The eruption of Rifts. An event which unleashed only 1- and 2-Star Calamities, yet still resulted in a significant loss of life.

And the majority of the dead were ordinary citizens. Bystanders who had chosen not to become Players.

This disaster revealed a stark truth to the government: public authority could no longer control the new world order.

Only the Awakened, those within the system, could manage the Calamities. Ignoring reality was no longer an option.

And so, the government chose co-option.

“So, you want me to catch this dog-like monster?”

“Yes. You, Yoo Jun-seo, are the only one capable.”

Just a week ago, Yoo Jun-seo was a social worker. Now, overnight, he had become a figure wielding new power.

For Yoo Jun-seo, a lover of games, the world’s changes were quite enjoyable; he collected Calamities as if playing a game.

With two 2-Star Calamities under his belt, Yoo Jun-seo was exceptional even among the Awakened whose whereabouts were known to the government. The round, conical spear he carried was also a result of pouring all the Forest Imps obtained from the Rift into a single synthesis. It was far more efficient and powerful than conventional weapons.

“This dog has mauled thousands to death. The word is, it’s called the Hellfire Hound.”

“Hmm….”

Yoo Jun-seo nodded at the government official’s report.

He couldn’t comprehend how a monster the size of a large dog could have killed thousands.

But that was the nature of Calamities. Even the 2-Star Calamity Yoo Jun-seo had collected took down over a dozen Awakened before finally being subdued.

“Minimum, it must be a 3-Star Calamity. Or maybe even 4?”

“…We believe the Awakened one is best equipped to judge.”

“You want me to kill this thing alone?”

“No. Civilian Awakened and military-affiliated Awakened will provide support fire. Beyond that, if you require anything else…”

“What will you give me if I kill it?”

Yoo Jun-seo asked directly, causing the government official to glance warily at him.

Not long ago, he was being pressured by public servants while doing his public service duty. Now, he was spouting casual language to high-ranking individuals, standing in a position of power.

It was a pleasure enough to make one’s mouth split open.

The official stammered.

“The National Assembly recently passed the Awakened Certification System.”

“The National Assembly? You mean that tower sticking up over there? Since when did those esteemed assemblymen turn into monsters?”

“Not there. They’ve built a temporary National Assembly building.”

“I figured as much. So, how does that tie into the reward you’re offering me?”

“In the near future, the government will establish an Awakened Management Bureau. We’re offering you the role of its first Director…”

“You want me, a public service hero, to be the government’s lapdog again?”

“Oh, no! Absolutely not! That’s unthinkable!”

Yoo Jun-seo chuckled, patting the cowering civil servant on the shoulder.

“Hey now, I’m just kidding, mister. Why so jumpy?”

“Ah, haha… ha.”

“Alright. I’ll do this Director thing. But you better have plenty of cash ready. And since I’ll be taking down at least five Rank 2 Calamities or higher in the next Outbreak, I’ll need proper troop support. Think about it, then let me know.”

“Understood. I’ll contact my superiors…”

“Give me an okay right now. Or I’m going home?”

“Yes, yes, sir.”

Yoo Jun-seo smiled inwardly.

The taste of power. Yoo Jun-seo had no intention of giving it up easily.

‘If I devour a Rank 4 Calamity, could I aim for the presidency?’

He sincerely believed it was possible.

*

[Rift Outbreak, Nationwide Damage. Estimated Casualties Exceed 5 Million.]

[Man-Eating Rabid Dogs Unleashed Across Seoul, What is Hellfire Watchdog?]

[Awakened Certification System Proposed, Awakened Management Bureau to Open.]

Even in this hellhole, the signal was getting through.

Yoo Jun-seo sighed, scrolling through the news headlines on his phone.

‘So, this is what they call an apocalypse?’

Not just Korea, but the whole world had become a wasteland. Some nationalistic YouTube channels were even boasting that Korea had suffered relatively little damage, proudly showing up in his recommended videos.

It was just Rank 1 or Rank 2 Calamities, but the damage was immense. Whether conventional or not, the Calamities mocked humanity’s civilization. In the end, only those within the same system, the Awakened, could handle them.

Especially the Rank 4 Calamity that had appeared in Seoul, the Hellfire Watchdog, which had reportedly devoured over a thousand people and made its nest on Namsan Mountain.

Hadn’t he almost died at its hands just yesterday?

‘How did that thing even manifest?’

For a Rank 4 Calamity to appear during the first Rift Outbreak wasn’t normal, surely.

An impossibility, even in the game.

For a 4-Star Disaster to emerge from a Fount of Calamity, the stronghold needed to be upgraded to nearly its maximum potential.

A certain someone came to mind.

‘Selene.’

The Hellfire Hounds cowered in fear at the sight of the Smoldering Saint, Selene.

Which meant the Hellfire Hounds recognized Selene.

Perhaps the Hellfire Hounds were originally members of the Abyssal Depths? They were both fire-attribute Disasters, after all.

Could it be that this catastrophe occurred because the dungeon boss had deserted?

And the cause was none other than myself. Selene’s actions, spurred by her coming to see me, had resulted in hundreds of casualties.

“…Huh.”

The guilt wasn’t overwhelming.

Perhaps it was the lack of reality. I wasn’t even aware of committing a sin.

But it was certain that the Smoldering Saint, Selene, was a being who could trigger unimaginable damage simply by walking around.

I turned my head and glanced at Selene.

She was kneeling near the exit of the Abyssal Depths, assuming a prayerful posture. She was so still, one might think she was dead, but the flames swirling around her pulsed and flickered as if breathing.

It seemed she was standing guard, but it hardly seemed necessary to this extent.

‘Should I really take her with me?’

It had been a day of contemplation.

Even after careful consideration, there was only one answer.

‘Of course, I have to take her.’

Even in the Disaster Order, obtaining a 5-Star Disaster was akin to plucking stars from the sky.

I had only acquired Selene after playing the game for two whole years.

Now that the game had become reality, the value of a 5-Star character was beyond quantifiable.

There was no way I couldn’t take her.

And there was only one way to collect Selene.

[Set this location as a stronghold?]

[Y / N]

I placed my hand on the Y button.

*Ting!* A cheerful notification chimed.

[Setting the current location as a stronghold.]

[The current Dominator, ‘Actor’, is located within the Dungeon, ‘The Abyss’.]

[Dungeon ‘The Abyss’ has been set as your base!]

With those words, the Base Management menu, previously locked, opened on the status screen.

[The base is the first step for the Disaster Order.]

[Organize the Calamities from the Base Management menu, and command expeditions, fusions, and enhancements.]

[You can strengthen the base by gathering Exp.]

I tapped the Base Organization window.

In the slot was a SD dot graphic portrait of the Charred Saint, Selene.

‘The first character is a 5-star, huh?’

It’s like some kind of cheat code.

I tapped Selene’s portrait. The information window that appeared listed the equipment she currently possessed.

[5☆ Scorching Wedge Sword]

[4☆ Rosary of Corruption]

[5☆ Shell of a Dead God]

‘Even *this* is being maintained?’

I couldn’t help but chuckle dryly.

As a fire-attribute character, Charred Saint Selene was specialized in burst damage. I had equipped her with expensive gear to match, and now that the game had become reality, it was all still there.

Meanwhile, in the lower right corner of the Base Management menu, the amount of experience I currently possessed was displayed.

[Possessed Experience: 3375Exp]

The amount of experience was also like I’d used a cheat code.

You couldn’t physically accumulate this much experience from the first outbreak.

‘Let’s save it for now.’

There’s no reason to use experience currently. To increase the number of Calamities I own, I only have Selene. I can’t even fuse or enhance with just her.

Sending out expeditions is the only method, but then again, there’s nowhere to send them.

‘No, wait.’

There *is* a place.

The internet article I saw earlier came to mind.

From the start, Disaster Order isn’t a game where players physically move and run around.

It’s a game where you send minion-like Calamities on expeditions to farm items.

Low-rarity Calamities required the Dominator character to accompany them on expeditions, but what serves me is the highest-ranked Calamity, of which there are only seven, even in the game.

That means…

“Selene.”

Clearing my throat, I called Selene’s name, and she turned in an instant.

And in the blink of an eye, Selene was right before me.

“My lord, did you call?”

Her body, marred with scars from burns, was exposed in places, but the undamaged skin visible through her ash-grey hair shone pearlescent in the red flames.

I almost lost myself to the sight, but I forced myself to regain composure and spoke.

“…Selene, do you recall the Hellhound we saw yesterday?”

“Yes. The guard dog at the entrance to the Abyss. I felt sorry for it, wandering with nowhere to go, so I brought it in.”

So it truly was a Calamity from the Abyss.

The moment doubt turned to certainty.

In any case, the Hellhound is a 4-star Fire-attribute Calamity. If I acquire it early on, there will be plenty of uses for it down the line.

“Ahem… If I were to order you to capture it, would you obey…?”

“Shall I depart now?”

Selene nodded as if my command was self-evident.

Soon, she bit her lip gently and opened her mouth.

“But my lord, promise me just one thing.”

“…Speak.”

“I will obey any command you give. If you order me to kill, I will kill, and if you order me to die, I will die. But please, never, never leave again, promise me you will stay here. I, I… if you are not here, if I have nowhere to lean on…”

Selene, who had been speaking, abruptly shut her mouth.

“…It was a slip of the tongue. It is not something for the likes of me to worry about.”

“….”

What am I supposed to do with this?

I was going mad.

Too much loyalty was also a burden.

This place is supposed to be a base, yet I cannot even relax.

But here, it would be right to play along with Selene’s tune.

It would be better to learn about her little by little.

“I will not leave.”

A flinch.

Selene’s shoulders trembled. Red eyes, brimming with tears.

“…So, don’t worry and carry out the order.”

“As you command.”

Selene dissolved into particles and vanished.

Departed from the Abyss, it seemed.

The oppressive weight lifted with her. Only then did I ease my stiff body, sinking back comfortably.

“Agh, finally, feels like I can breathe.”

With a sigh, I opened my phone screen.

[Awakened Union Embarks to Subdue Hellfire Hounds.]

A new news article had surfaced while I managed the stronghold.

The news photo showed a man flanked by two 2-star Calamity Ember Foxes, wearing a smarmy grin.

“…Well, it should be fine.”

What trouble could there possibly be?

I swallowed the burgeoning anxiety.