My first encounter with the raccoons was in the PVP arena.
Back then, having reached Diamond rank, I faced a raccoon on my way to the Honor Shop, and that’s when I first learned of the existence of the ‘Administrator.’
The race known as the ‘Hwangcheong Clan.’
They were characterized by their golden fur and the blue rings atop their heads, resembling raccoons, or rather, raccoons.
Most people believe the raccoons are just simple NPCs, or avatars controlled by real-world office workers, but that’s not the case—they’re a race with a tangible existence.
Acting under the orders of someone ‘above.’
“I will allow only three questions. Please ask quickly.”
“Well… in that case.”
There are many questions to ask.
After my return, I met quite a few raccoons, but I didn’t get any useful information.
The name ‘Administrator’ holds true, as they all possess strong powers, and they themselves tried to hide their identities or information.
Of course, I did meet a raccoon recently who was quite high up, presumably called ‘Hwanggwak,’ but he was in a past form.
I couldn’t obtain any proper information.
“Then let’s start with the thing I’m most curious about.”
1. The reason for your approach and what you took from here.
“…Two questions? Are you asking two questions at once?”
“Don’t be silly. They’re obviously a related question.”
The reason for their approach must be linked to what they took from here.
He insisted on treating them as two separate questions, but I shook my head as if it were out of the question.
In the end, he sighed and nodded.
“…It was part of the management.”
“Is that all?”
“I’m currently a member of the User Anomaly Management Team. This organization monitors and manages noteworthy individuals. And Lady Lily is…”
“Meaning she’s a noteworthy individual.”
“That’s correct.”
Still, I thought I had lived a relatively good life.
I’m not that notable, am I?
As I said this and looked at the raccoon, he had a look of disbelief on his face.
“…Anyway, while all of this was happening, several incidents occurred centered around Lady Lily. You’ll know more about those events.”
“Hmm.”
A lot of incidents did happen.
The whole ordeal started from the rather absurd incident where Piarro leaked a book, but looking at the situation, it seemed something would have happened regardless of her involvement.
But looking at the situation, it was bound to happen even if it wasn’t her.
As time passed, more people would reach level 121 and move on to the New Continent, and consequently, a lot of replicated books would have been transferred as well.
“Although it’s a problem that Lasty’s decoding book has moved.”
“That’s true.”
“The stance of the Administrators is generally to stand back. However, a series of events pose a significant threat to the Users’ safety and the System. We had no choice but to intervene.”
“So, were you trying to do something with me and Lasty? Trying to lure us with those weird comments?”
“That was! Not! Me!”
Jump!
The Raccoon jumped up and down, looking as if it was wronged.
It looked so miserable that uncontrollable lightning danced around.
“I only intervened briefly after the Vampire Kuoh died, borrowing that body! When I disappear, Kuoh will reappear in that same place! Didn’t I explain that to you?”
“Hmm… For something like that, the gaze is really…”
“…”
“I’m just joking. Raccoon men are all serious.”
As I chuckled, his fist trembled with fury.
This is amusing.
“So what? What did you take from here?”
“…Ah. This really can’t happen.”
“What can’t happen?”
“I really might resign. Do you know about the principle of information confidentiality?”
“I’ll keep it a secret. Of course, if the answer is unsatisfactory, I might tell the viewers.”
“…Because there’s a precious material.”
“Material?”
The Raccoon explained about the ‘Fruit of Blood’ that he packed in his bundle.
It’s a material item obtained by clearing the final episode of Erbenus Blodia, and just by consuming it, one could become an Elder-level Vampire. It is also used as a material for the key to open ‘somewhere.’
He begged and pleaded not to disclose what this ‘somewhere’ is, saying that if he did, his life would be in danger, so I let it go for now.
“Could it be that it’s the ‘Door to ?’ that appeared after the disaster subjugation?”
“……”
“Hmm. That’s probably it. Let’s confirm.”
“I didn’t say it’s correct.”
“You didn’t deny it either, did you?”
“……”
Then, based on the circumstances, the ultimate goal of the New Continent and Multi-Dimensions seems to be acquiring the ‘materials’ to create the key.
If time passes and all dimensions are cleared, the path to ‘?’ will surely open.
“It might be a bit tough for one person to clear everything… Is it something like Drak’s masterpiece?”
Just like I gathered all eight masterpieces, it seems I’ll have to collect the final materials from the Multi-Dimensions this time too.
I think I can do it.
“How many fruits are there in total? Ah, this is a continuation of the first question.”
“…Do we really have to do it that way?”
“We should take what we can get.”
“…Huh. There are a total of three.”
“One is not an option. Okay.”
This means making the key might not be as difficult as I thought.
One of the reasons gathering past masterpieces was so tough was because a single person had to collect all eight unique masterpieces.
If it weren’t for various incidents and bad luck, I would still be gathering them.
I nodded and wrapped up the first question.
“Then, the second.”
“Is it the second already? It feels like I’ve said about five things.”
2. The Origin of the Management Bureau.
“…I said I wouldn’t take questions about the Management Bureau.”
“But can’t you at least give me a hint? Honestly, I’m curious. Someone with such strong power is making the lower races manage the users. I have no idea what the intention behind it is.”
At the top of the Nutri Company, which is the predecessor of Deoen…
Or perhaps it’s someone at the peak of the Golden Sky, the land of the administrators.
In the end, this whole game is being orchestrated by someone with powerful abilities, but I just can’t guess their intentions.
“They seem to be overly considerate of the users’ convenience for mere amusement. They’re always careful not to let these seemingly weak people get hurt.”
“……”
“There must be a reason for going to such lengths, but it doesn’t seem like they want anything in return. Making the users stronger for what? That sounds ridiculous.”
No matter how much you strengthen the souls or bodies of users, they’re still at most low-tier, barely middle-tier at best, like a thug or a demon.
The low-tier administrator raccoon in front of me would fall over like leaves blown by the wind with just a gust.
Let alone the existence above that ‘level’.
“So that’s why I’m asking. What purpose does this place serve?”
“My answer remains the same. I cannot tell you.”
But…
“The Management Bureau has a saying.”
“A saying?”
“‘Everything has its use.’ The Management Bureau exists because it is needed. A great necessity that someone like you, an outsider, cannot comprehend.”
“……”
“So no more questions about it… Wait a moment!!”
Clang!
As I infused the hammer with holiness, a rough energy shot out in all directions.
The energy became a technique, turning the surroundings into chaos, and the raccoon stumbled back in shock.
“En becomes a technique and messes up the surroundings, causing the raccoon to back off in shock.”
“Can’t you just tell me straight up? Why do you keep saying no?”
“I told you it’s not possible! And I don’t know about it either. In fact, the majority of the administrators don’t know…”
“Hwanggwak and Cheongsu too?”
Suddenly.
The raccoon, who had been jumping around just a moment ago, came to a halt.
His face was painted with disbelief, and he was so shocked that he got hit directly by the holy energy, causing blood to pour down.
I used the holy energy again to heal him.
“Medicine after the injury… no, that’s not the problem. How do you know those names…?”
“I just get to know them by wandering around. But didn’t you know?”
Even if Cheongsu was like that, Hwanggwak had met me at the Tower of Growth and we had been climbing the tower together for almost a week.
I thought the administrators would obviously know since it was also recorded in the broadcast and the system.
“I’ll look into that later. Why was such information not passed on…?”
“So do you two know? As far as I know, you’re supposed to be pretty high-ranking individuals.”
“……”
“Excuse me?”
“I’ll take one last question.”
“What about my answer?”
“……”
No matter how much I asked, the raccoon kept his mouth shut.
I even glared at him using the holy energy, but he remained tight-lipped.
‘From his reaction, I think I get it somewhat.’
At least the two, ‘Hwanggwak and Cheongsu’, know the reason for the existence of the Management Bureau, even if the other lower-level administrators don’t.
‘The reason the game is maintained is due to necessity. Most of the administrators don’t know why they’re being run, but the high-ranking ones do know.’
Hwanggwak from the past grew stronger through trials, so the purpose of those trials was likely to manage this game.
You could say the game itself is a trial, but that’s merely a cute way of putting it.
If there are trials that guarantee life, mind, and entertainment, then that existence would be close to being a sucker beyond goodness.
There are still many unanswered questions, but I suppose this is where I should end my second question.
“Then, the third question.”
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