Duo Leveling LITRPG | Post Apocalyptic | SYSTEM-Chapter 211 - 282 - Gifts from Gods and Ghosts + 283

Ike held out another object toward Jhin. The moment he saw it, a chill raced down Jhin's spine, triggering a sudden surge of PTSD.

"This is…"

"I hope you'll never need to use it—but you probably will. Use it wisely."

[You have obtained the item 'One-Time Kill Switch'.]

He's actually giving me a kill switch…?

Would this not trip the system?

"Don't worry," Ike said. "I've rigged it so it won't cause any trouble. More importantly…"

His gaze dropped to the kill switch.

"You only get to use it once. Make sure it counts."

Still somewhat stunned, Jhin accepted the item. The administrator himself had given it to him—surely he wouldn't hand over something that would set off alarms in the system. And at this point, there was no point doubting Ike's sincerity.

"…But I don't remember ever agreeing to receive a reward like this."

"It's a gift. You've done more than enough to deserve it. And I suspect you'll earn it again."

A bribe to make sure I do a proper backup job, maybe, Jhin thought wryly, collecting the rewards Ike had handed him. Turning down a gift this carefully given wouldn't be very polite.

"Well then, let me share the promised information about the upcoming regular update."

Jhin straightened his posture, calming the flutter of anticipation in his chest. This—insight into the future—was more valuable than any material reward.

"Yes. Please go ahead."

Ike narrowed his eyes thoughtfully before he began.

"You said demons appeared on Earth before the regular update took place. And you also received warnings to be cautious of the update itself."

As they talked, Jhin found himself recounting his experiences in Rote World—the strange alternate realm he'd survived. Ike, listening carefully, was beginning to draw conclusions.

"I suspect the administrator of Channel 0116 is already interfering with your world."

"…Administrator?"

"No need to be surprised. I did the same. And so did the administrator of your own channel—0115. The only difference is, until now, no administrator has ever openly intervened before a regular update."

He met Jhin's gaze, a faint smirk curling at the edge of his lips.

"You didn't think I was the only administrator, did you?"

His voice dropped a little—subtle, but serious.

"There are as many administrators as there are worlds. And regular updates are the mechanism that allows them to intervene directly. Kyle, you may very well end up fighting them."

The reason was simple.

"An administrator's only goal is the survival of their own world. To establish 0116 permanently, that one will do anything."

Jhin pressed his fingers to his forehead, trying to absorb the implications.

One conclusion loomed over all the rest:

"Yet another damn enemy."

As if dragons and demons weren't enough, now even a being akin to a god could become his enemy.

'Of course. This is Exodia.'

This filthy, broken game had never once been easy. It was par for the course.

Ike offered a brief summary.

"So as far as regular updates go, I don't know much. Only that the 0116 administrator has tampered with something."

"I see…"

"But I can give you one more thing. Something important."

He placed a firm hand on Jhin's shoulder, his voice clear and unwavering.

"There will be a 'Hawk' in your world, too. If you fail to protect him, you'll meet the same fate again."

That was all he needed to say.

Jhin understood instantly.

A world that had repeated itself 115 times.

If the pattern held, the components would also be similar.

Just like Melvin, the Emperor—now Jhin would need to find and protect Earth's version of Hawk Alon.

Most likely, that was the key figure who must survive the regular update.

"…Hmm. Looks like the Emperor has arrived."

Right on cue, a small crowd entered the house.

Alongside the Emperor came familiar faces— Michael, Hyden, and other players, their eyes wide with relief.

"You're awake!"

Michael's eyes shimmered slightly with emotion, while the others let out quiet sighs of relief.

The Emperor, trailing behind them, cleared his throat lightly and said,

"You slept a bit too long."

"…Sorry about that."

Without another word, he handed Jhin something.

"…What's this?"

"Found it on the way."

It was a rifle—long, matte black, with a barrel that absorbed every glint of light. The handle bore finely etched patterns, like a sculpture. Jhin stared. He recognized it at once.

'The Magic-Bullet Rifle. This is Millie's signature weapon.' 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The Emperor gently stroked the barrel, and with an oddly reserved tone, said,

"I bought it in secret to assassinate you, actually. But it seems I won't be needing it."

"…."

Jhin took the rifle. It felt cold and heavy in his hands—so much so that he almost shivered.

"You're really giving me this?"

"Would I have brought it just to show it off?"

"…Then I won't refuse."

Looks like he was collecting quite a few presents today.

As Jhin stored the rifle in his inventory, the Emperor scratched his head awkwardly.

"I've done you wrong in so many ways. You saved so many lives—and instead of thanking you, I tried to stab you in the back."

He gave a bitter smile.

"Not sure an apology means anything at this point, but… I'm sorry. I was selfish—for the sake of my world."

He slowly reached into his pocket and pulled something out.

Jhin recognized it immediately.

What is today, some kind of festival?

"…Will you accept this, too?"

Jhin looked down at the object in silence. He never imagined he'd come across this item again—especially here.

<Belt of Calamity>

– Can store dagger-type weapons.

– Grade: S

Boosts the abilities of equipped weapons temporarily when paired with certain items.

And of course, the "certain item" referenced here was the Meteor Blade of Calamity.

In other words, this was part of a set—the companion piece to the Meteor Blade.

A ridiculously overpowered item that could temporarily upgrade the Meteor Blade into a mythic-grade weapon…

Sure, by level 300, gear like this was already getting outclassed, and future loot would eventually be far superior.

But still—this thing was so good, people kept using it up until level 500.

With a quiet gulp, Jhin took the Belt of Calamity into his hands. If there was ever an item worth trading a fortune for, this was it.

"And take this, too."

"…A skillbook?"

"I'd hate to see my swordsmanship forgotten."

[You have acquired the skillbook, 'Mountain-Splitter (S)'.]

[Detected class: Librarian.]

[Would you like to learn it immediately?]

Jhin gave a hollow chuckle and nodded. The fearsome technique the Emperor had once demonstrated still lingered vividly in his memory.

Meanwhile, the Emperor lowered his head, apologetic.

"Then… forgive me for asking, but I entrust my people to you."

"…I'm sorry?"

"You've probably heard—this backup will include the remaining citizens. I'm placing my trust in you."

Jhin glanced at Ike, who offered him an awkward smile. Though no detailed explanation had been given, the picture was starting to come together.

So the backup would now include additional people.

Yet another bribe.

One or a hundred—it's all the same… but all these gifts are starting to make me nervous. Is the backup going to be dangerous or something?

He paused to consider it, but quickly shook the thought off. Ike's quest had promised safety, and that promise hadn't been broken so far.

Besides, he was starting to understand Ike and the Emperor's motivations.

They had no intention of using the backup to invade World 115. Their goals were far simpler—refuge. An escape from a world that had already fallen.

"So then, when do we leave?" the Emperor asked.

"Well… I just woke up."

Ike chimed in.

"If it's possible, I'll have everything prepared for immediate departure. What would you prefer?"

Jhin could feel the players' eyes on him. Their longing to return to Earth, to the home they'd only dreamed about, was practically tangible.

Yeah… this must've felt like an impossible dream to them.

He let out a soft, bitter laugh.

"Then please go ahead. Let's leave right away."

He'd rested long enough.

It was time to move again.

It was a bright, sunny Sunday.

"I will now read from the Book of Kimmy, chapter one, verse one: 'And lo, the tutorial was set to hell difficulty…'"

"Amen."

"And then Lord Kyle descended, and the dungeon crumbled beneath his might."

"Amen…"

Dozens of people bowed their heads and chanted a single name in reverence. Their voices merged into one—an eerie, fanatic chant.

At the front of the gathering, a man in a sharp suit stepped up to the pulpit.

"Let me testify. Lord Kyle forgave the wrongs of my ignorant youth and saved my life with his grace."

"Amen!"

It was practically a cult meeting.

"I, Luke, am a classmate of Lord Kyle, and a devoted believer. I have received his blessings from the closest place…"

"Ooooh!"

"And I believe, without a doubt, that Lord Kyle will return! Do you all believe as well?"

"Amen!"

Among the crowd, a young man twisted his face in an expression of thinly veiled contempt.

A boyish face. A cap pulled low over his head. He watched the ongoing spectacle with cold detachment.

Bunch of lunatics… Why did I even come here?

He had no real interest in this so-called gathering. He wasn't a believer, not by any stretch.

I mean, sure, I came here grasping at straws… but still.

Almost as if trying to justify it to himself, he folded his hands and closed his eyes.

Lately, even the things he had never once questioned about the game had begun to feel uncertain.

He had to find his footing.

Jhin…

Everyone believed "Kyle" was dead.

They'd held a grand funeral. Even erected a statue in his honor. Kyle's death had become public knowledge.

Still, as he watched these zealots—unshaken in their devotion—he felt his own doubts slowly begin to settle.

And so, the young man—no, Luke—joined the prayer. Quietly, in his heart, he made a wish.

If there really is a god, please… let Jhin hyung come back. The goblins are starting to get rebellious. Ark's becoming harder to control. And with the business expanding, I've got more on my plate than I can handle. Please… bring back my cash cow—no, I mean, hyung. Please bring him back.

And perhaps that prayer reached someone.

Suddenly, Luke's phone let out a sharp alert.

Ding!

The sound was so loud that everyone in the prayer circle turned to glare at him with dagger-like stares.

But Luke didn't care. He whipped out his phone and checked the notification immediately.

Of course he did.

That sound…!

It was a special alert. One he had set for only one thing.

Staring down at the glowing screen, he couldn't help it.

He screamed.

"He… He's back!!!"

There it was—clear as day. A GPS signal. One that only responded to Kyle.

And now, it had lit up again.

Jhin is back!

He wanted to shout Amen! at the top of his lungs, but there was something more important to do first.

He had to call him.

Right now.

But…

–The person you are calling is unavailable. After the beep, you may leave a message.

The same automated voice he'd heard a hundred times before.

Luke steadied his breathing, trying to calm his racing heart. If the signal was real—and it had to be—then Jhin had returned. His GPS would eventually confirm the exact location.

Yeah. By now, Jhin must be…

"…Uh… wait, where is this?"

The return to Earth had been far simpler and faster than expected.

Administrator Ike had opened the portal and adjusted the destination to Channel 0115.

That was all it took.

Jhin stepped forward and stared into the swirling vortex—then turned back to glance at the Emperor and Ike, who had come to see him off.