“I nearly got buried alive as well, Mr. Akkun.”
Even as he said that, Parakel’s doll-like expression did not change. Not the slightest trace of agitation or fear existed in his voice either.
For the time being, I answered as though nothing were wrong.
“Don’t worry. It won’t collapse.”
“You must have meant that even if it collapses, it’ll be restored almost immediately. That is how a ‘map’ works, after all.”
“Were you pretending to know that just to show off?”
“Of course not. I only mentioned it because I wanted to teach you one more thing.”
His manner of speaking was somewhat irritating, but that was not an excuse he had invented on the spot.
Parakel really had taught me many things.
‘Of course, Grid hasn’t exactly starved me of information either…….’
I glared at the silent black screen.
Grid.
The bastard who had seized control of the Guide understood every rule within Amuse Online and sometimes explained them to me.
For example, they had taught me basic information such as how Skill Books could be dismantled to obtain Skill Points and how Bonus Stat Points were granted whenever my Level increased.
However, that was as far as they went.
Before I could even put that knowledge to use, Grid began interfering with my growth as they pleased.
Until only two months ago, I had not known that my Stats were being automatically allocated without my knowledge, that unnecessary Skills were being dismantled on their own, or that the Skills I needed were being enhanced automatically.
When I demanded to know why they had done such things without my permission, Grid’s answer had been absurd.
-I merely pursue the most ideal and efficient path of growth.
Grid still did not truly see me as an individual.
By the same token, unless I asked first, they never volunteered information they had deemed inefficient.
Nor did they ever share their plans for my future development.
No matter how much violence I inflicted through the leash, nothing changed.
They never spoke first.
Strangely enough, it was Parakel who filled that frustrating gap.
As expected of a hardcore Player from the PBE Server, he casually shared practical strategies that Grid had never told me—or that Grid’s obsession with efficiency had deemed unnecessary for me to know.
For example, he had advised me that even Players who did not fight physically needed at least 35 Strength and Endurance to remain active for more than ten hours a day.
That sort of advice was not written in the Guide.
Moreover, Parakel taught me to distinguish between the latest expressions used by Players and obsolete slang that no one used anymore.
Thanks to him, I had discarded phrases such as kkamnol, OTL, and cap-jjang.
Surely I looked like a Player now, no matter who saw me.
“You’re finally starting to lose that newbie air.”
Apparently, I still looked inexperienced in Parakel’s eyes.
He glanced at the mutant corpses scattered throughout Filth Park and continued.
“You seem to have grown accustomed to combat as well.”
“Were you spying on me while I fought?”
“I wasn’t trying to spy on you. I was merely waiting. I happened to have business with you, Mr. Akkun.”
Had he been searching for me?
“What do you want?”
“It would be quicker to show you.”
Parakel tossed me a glass bottle filled with blue liquid.
【Lv 55. Intelligence-Scaling Mana Potion】
【Type : Consumable Item / Mana Potion
Creator : Parakel.
Base Effect : Immediately restores ‘605 MP’ upon consumption. Additional Effect : Restores additional MP in proportion to the user’s ‘Intelligence(INT)’ Stat. (Additional Recovery : Intelligence Stat × 0.55)
Evaluation : This product is strongly recommended for Players with high Intelligence Stats. For bulk purchases, please contact the Namwon Guild Distribution Division.】
The explanation was lengthy, but ultimately, it was still a Mana Potion.
“What am I supposed to do with this?”
“It’s a prototype I completed yesterday, but I believe it can be refined further. If it isn’t too much trouble, could you give me some feedback?”
“Feedback…….”
An Earth term meaning that he wanted my advice.
“The fixed recovery amount seems low for a potion of this Level…… but Players with higher Intelligence Stats recover more Mana?”
“Correct. It is an item recommended for Mages and support-class Players.”
“What is the unit cost?”
“Mine is slightly cheaper than a standard potion. I incorporated an additional scaling coefficient, but lowered the fixed recovery amount in exchange.”
“Then…… it seems excellent.”
It was not empty praise.
I could not see any flaws at a glance.
“What are you talking about?”
Although I had intended it as a compliment, Parakel’s expression crumpled.
“It still isn’t good enough. If Players with high Intelligence are going to be the primary customers anyway, I need to find a way to lower the existing Level coefficient further and raise the additional Intelligence coefficient.”
At some point, he had moved closer to me.
The sharp odor peculiar to chemicals stung my nose.
“But that has been…… more difficult than expected. I’ve also prepared several prototypes besides the Mana Potion, but I can see far too many shortcomings. That is why I was looking for you, Mr. Akkun. I’d like your feedback on the other products as well. Would that be too unreasonable a request?”
“Why do you need a newbie’s opinion?”
“Why are you acting like this again? Is it because I teased you earlier?”
“I’m asking seriously. You aren’t in a position where you need to ask favors from others, are you? You certainly don’t need to ask a newbie like me.”
“Wasn’t the explosive you just detonated also created through Apothecary Crafting?”
Parakel pointed toward the center of Filth Park.
“I can’t make anything like that. I can’t even imagine what ingredients I would need. Do you understand what I’m saying? Whatever else may be true, when it comes to Apothecary Crafting, you’ve gone beyond ‘stagnant water’ and become thoroughly ‘rotten water.’”
“What did you say, bastard? My Apothecary Crafting is rotten?”
“Surely you know the terms ‘stagnant water’ and ‘rotten water’…… Please don’t misunderstand. They’re used as compliments.”
How was that supposed to be a compliment?
I glanced at the Grid.
[────.]
They had left.
I could forcibly summon them by pulling the leash, but Parakel was standing directly before me.
I could not afford to behave strangely.
“Don’t use expressions like that with me.”
“I apologize. That was discourteous.”
He bent forward in a ninety-degree bow.
Parakel was like this.
He sometimes appeared to cross the line with his remarks, but ultimately remained courteous.
That had not changed even though I had openly displayed my discomfort ever since our first meeting.
He had continued to treat me politely.
Naturally, it was not without reason.
“However, I truly do hold your Apothecary Crafting in extremely high regard. You taught me a great deal before as well.”
Just as Parakel taught me rules known only to Players, I occasionally provided him with information concerning Apothecary Crafting.
Most of all, I gave him advice about medicinal ingredients.
There were no one-sided favors between Parakel and me.
Neither of us liked receiving without giving anything in return.
“Of course, I’m not asking you to do this without compensation.”
Parakel placed a heavy purse in my palm.
When I discreetly looked inside, I saw five Gold coins.
I probably would not make this much even after diligently selling potions for an entire month……
I did not show it, but the amount made my mouth water.
“This is the advance payment.”
Parakel then handed me a business card.
A simple map had been drawn on the back.
“If you visit my laboratory and provide feedback, I’ll pay the remaining balance then. Naturally, I’m not forcing you. Even if you decide not to visit, I have no intention of taking back the advance payment I just gave you.”
I stared at him without speaking.
Parakel scratched his forehead and made a troubled expression.
“Ah…… Was simply handing you money too impersonal? Then I’ll prepare some expensive equipment you can use or compensate you with an item inste─”
“What have you been doing lately?”
“I remain in my laboratory whenever possible.”
“That isn’t what I’m asking. I’ve heard rumors that you’ve been giving medicine to NPCs and collecting their blood and saliva. I was wondering why.”
“Ah, so that’s what you meant.”
Parakel did not deny it.
Had he never intended to hide it?
“Helping NPCs doesn’t grant you EXP. You can’t receive any separate compensation from them either. Those puppets’ bodies don’t improve, and their diseases don’t heal.”
“They’ll feel better temporarily.”
“That is exactly what it is—a temporary change. The moment you take your eyes off an NPC, they’ll acquire the same injuries and diseases dictated by their Character Profile as though nothing ever happened.”
Even minor ailments such as colds and constipation were incurable diseases to NPCs.
Even a small bruise would remain on their bodies forever.
That was what an NPC was.
“You must know that. I’ll ask you again. Why are you doing something so foolish?”
“Because NPCs are people too.”
“……What does that mean?”
“You may not know this, Mr. Akkun, but NPCs display the same physical responses as Players. They can also describe the condition of their own bodies. For example, they can tell us that their joints no longer ache, that they’ve stopped coughing, that the stinging in their genitals has disappeared, or that their bruises have faded.”
“Those are only some of their interaction lines.”
“So what if they are? If they say they feel better, perhaps it is because their bodies genuinely feel better.”
“Why did you collect blood, saliva, urine, and other samples?”
“I intended to understand their physical conditions more accurately. I needed to confirm whether the medicine was working properly.”
“Then…… let me ask you one more thing.”
“Yes. Ask as much as you like.”
“Do you feel proud of what you’re doing?”
Parakel sucked in a breath, swallowed, and scratched the back of his head.
“I can’t say that it feels unpleasant whenever someone thanks me.”
“I see.”
“But why are you asking me this? I heard that you treat NPCs as well, Mr. Akkun. Weren’t your reasons similar to mine?”
“Well, that is…….”
Because I was an NPC.
I could not say those words aloud.
Perhaps revealing that I was a Red Player would have been better.
Then again, perhaps they were equally dangerous secrets.
“My reasons are similar to yours.”
I gave him a vague answer.
A faint smile appeared on Parakel’s face.
“I thought so. We’re kindred spirits.”
“I don’t know whether we’re kindred spirits, but I’ll visit you soon. I should examine every prototype you’ve made.”
“Really? Thank you! I expect to remain shut inside my laboratory for some time, so visit whenever it’s convenient. I’ll be waiting.”
Parakel’s two clenched fists trembled as though he were genuinely delighted.
Seeing him like that made it difficult to regard him as entirely unpleasant.
‘……What is there to dislike about him, really?’
Perhaps it was because of his sharp appearance and the rigid way he spoke, but I had always felt uncomfortable around Parakel.
I might also have been paying him more attention than necessary because he was an Apothecary like me.
However, judging solely by his actions, he was a kind Player who frequently helped NPCs and offered generous assistance to newbies like me.
Perhaps I had been the bad one for remaining wary and hostile toward him.
Not every Player was necessarily garbage like that bastard BONBIN and that Necromancer bitch…….
[How peculiar.]
Grid had returned.
‘Where did you go this time?’
[I held Parakel in high regard. At the very least, I considered him superior to you. Yet he has just proven that he too is tainted by emotion. Why is this stage populated only by such inferior actors?]
Whenever I traveled around treating NPCs, Grid called my actions hopelessly foolish.
They had probably received the same impression from Parakel.
[A bird inside a cage observes the world through a window. I am imprisoned within a cage even more wretched than that. To be unable to escape such a maudlin spectacle is humiliating.]
‘Why put it so grandly? You’re just saying that being trapped beside an inferior creature like me feels wretched.’
[Continue your conversation. I have no desire to belong inside the cage shared by you and Parakel.]
Grid fell silent.
What an utterly self-centered bastard.
“Then I’ll be heading back first, Mr. Akkun. I haven’t been sleeping properly lately.”
Parakel had been pressing his fingers against the corners of his eyes for some time.
He looked exhausted at a glance.
“Take care…… There should be plenty of mutants ahead. Will you be all right?”
“I may be obsessed solely with Apothecary Crafting now, but I frequently hunted Monsters on the PBE Server. I’m still capable of protecting myself.”
“Then I suppose there’s no problem.”
“Correct. You needn’t worry.”
Parakel bowed and began retracing his path through Filth Park.
As I silently watched his retreating back, a thought crossed my mind.
“Wait.”
“Go ahead.”
“Did you happen to see anyone else around here?”
“I saw some Players hunting. They’ve probably all logged out by now.”
“Not people like them. Did you see anyone suspicious, perhaps someone hurriedly carrying a packed bundle?”
“……Hmm. Please wait a moment.”
Parakel slowly closed his eyes and contorted his entire face.
“Tsk…… It isn’t working properly.”
He opened his eyes again.
“They’re probably…… hiding somewhere near Filth Park D.”
“Where exactly is ‘near’?”
“I don’t know that much. I simply have an intuition that they’re close.”
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
“I realize it sounds strange, but they’re definitely nearby. You can trust me. Although I suppose that is difficult when I explain it this way.”
Parakel cleared his throat.
“As you know, there is a Perception Stat. When you consciously focus on that Stat, you can vaguely sense nearby life-forms or exceptionally powerful items.”
That was similar to what Grid had said earlier.
Develop your senses. Become conscious of them.
Something along those lines.
“If you know so much about it, why can’t you pinpoint the location now?”
“I haven’t slept for several days, so my senses are clouded. At the moment, even you look like two people to me, Mr. Akkun.”
“Then teach me the method. How do I consciously focus on my Perception?”
“To explain it verbally…….”
TAP, TAP, TAP-
Parakel tapped his own head several times.
“Everyone has an environment in which they can concentrate best. In my case, I was most focused when I remained alone in the lab before dawn. Similarly, you should imagine the moment and place where you were able to concentrate most completely.”
“Will that allow me to sense things too?”
“Not immediately, of course. However, if you continue practicing, your Perception will undoubtedly awaken one day. This is advice from your senior in Amuse Online, so don’t ignore it.”
“I’ll practice. Thanks.”
“It’s late, so don’t push yourself too hard. I’ll see you later.”
Parakel gave me a satisfied smile before slowly leaving Filth Park.
At last, I was alone.
‘……I have nothing to lose.’
As he had just instructed, I closed my eyes and tried to recall the environment in which I had been able to concentrate best.
It did not take long to construct the image.
There was only one such place.
BUBBLE, BUBBLE…….
The sound of a pot simmering.
RUSTLE, RUSTLE-
The sound of pages turning.
Those two tranquil sounds echoed in my ears.
The old geezer sat to my left, frowning as he concentrated on his book.
The woman stood to my right, preparing a meal.
Between them sat me, grinding medicinal ingredients.
During moments like this, astonishingly enough, no thoughts entered my mind.
No emotions arose.
There was only peace.
It had always been that way.
Then it happened.
It was as though a filthy stone had fallen onto the surface of perfectly tranquil water.
WRIGGLE.
The wooden floor of the workshop.
Something unclean stirred beneath me.
WRIGGLE, WRIGGLE-
The presence moved like a mosquito larva thrashing in a filthy puddle.
I did not know anything like that.
It had never existed within my memories.
It was not part of the peace I had longed for.
Because this was the place most familiar and precious to me, I noticed the alien change immediately.
At that moment, the image of the workshop I missed began crumbling apart.
I hurriedly opened my eyes before everything collapsed.
I escaped the workshop I had longed for and found myself standing motionless in a park filled with filth and stench.
WRIGGLE, WRIGGLE.
Even though the location had changed, the unclean presence I had sensed earlier continued writhing beneath my feet.
I could feel it with perfect clarity.
“……That wasn’t as difficult as I expected.”
I had found the fugitive.