Bettitira.
A monarchy that claims the northern part of the continent as its territory. Although its population is less than 2 million, its territory is vast. It boasts an area that is comparable to that of the Shiran Empire, which is considered a great power.
The reason for this uniqueness is that most of the country is barren land. They took land that no one wanted and developed it with their own power.
After the state was established, there were many conflicts. The great powers did not bother to invade the arid polar lands, but the problem was the barbarians and the small countries around them.
But in its hundreds of years of history, Bastitera has never once allowed an enemy to invade. All of Bastitera's people were natural warriors.
One day, a mutant species arose and was banished from society. They gathered together to form a nation, and became feared for their bravery.
The name 'Pecatum', meaning sin, was a derogatory term that contained the fear of the continental people. Thus, Pecatum lived in isolation in Basteterra.
And in modern times, like other countries, it is suffering from disaster.
Knock, knock.
His fingers tapped the steering wheel at regular intervals. Inside the stopped car. Kim Yi-hyun had just arrived at the border and was going through immigration procedures.
As is the case everywhere, the process was a series of waiting. But there was no time to feel bored. There were more than a few things to think about.
'This time, it was really forced.'
Even though I spoke confidently to the pilot, the process of getting permission was actually quite sloppy. You could even say it was rough. I just went to him and asked him to borrow my helicopter out of the blue.
Kushan's reaction was something to behold. The way the coffee he was drinking went over the roof of his mouth and out his nose was refreshing. This is a guy who pretended to know everything as if he was the mastermind in the game.
I was asked to explain, but I couldn't give it.
'This time, no variables can occur.'
There should be no interference from anyone. If Kushan had posted a watchdog, there was no way things would go wrong. I deliberately did not inform Chelsea or Asterike.
'It's best to handle it quickly by yourself.'
Episodes 8 and 9.
This part is so massive that it can be counted on one hand in the game. It is on a scale that makes the battle in Cilicia look ridiculous. Rap enters a war that will determine the fate of a species called Pecatum.
The keyword is the Bastetira Civil War.
Pecatum is divided into several factions, each slaughtering the other. As the war rages on, madness and ideology become extreme, and any trace of legitimacy disappears.
Hundreds of thousands of lives are thrown away like trash. Yet, no one emerges as a winner. The country is devastated, and the surviving Pecatums leave their hometown in tears of blood.
'Don't leave it like that.'
October 10th.
An incident occurs that sparks a civil war.
'I guess I have about two weeks to spare.'
If you stop it, you can greatly distort the flow. I didn't think about failure. If it was a plan, I had thought about it a long time ago. Compared to its importance, the difficulty is incredibly simple.
"Oh my, you were still waiting?"
The officer at the checkpoint came strolling in. He glanced around the inside of the car with his eyes. Then he handed me a piece of paper through the window.
"Purpose of visit, place of origin, name. Just write three things."
I wrote it down as instructed. Tourism, Cilicia, present. It was a proper mix of truth and lies. When I wrote it down and returned it, the employee stuffed it in his pocket without even reading it.
"Then you may go."
"Can you let me in so easily?"
"음?"
The employee's eyes widened at Kim Yi-hyeon's question. Soon, he took a cigarette out of his pocket and lit it.
"I guess you know you're noticeable."
Smoking and a grim face. Naturally, he reminded me of Roscoe, who I had parted ways with in Cilicia. However, there was a crucial difference between the two.
Two horns that grew as if it were natural. Developed muscles that could be seen through the rolled-up sleeves. The staff were not soldiers or anything, but ordinary civil servants.
Pecatum, a civil servant.
"I also find it strange. It's rare for a 'Minos' to cross the border alone."
Just as the Continentals call them Pecatum, the Bastetans call the Continentals Minos. If Pecatum means sin, then Minos means inferiority.
It was a title that clearly revealed the long-standing emotional rift.
"Still, none of us take Minos seriously. Let me give you some advice: you'd be better off not even thinking about doing anything stupid. For your own sake."
It was almost like a threat. The employee's eyes were filled with contempt. It seemed like the intention was to tease him by leaving the car parked for dozens of minutes.
Kim Lee-hyun chuckled under the gaze.
"Think about it."
* * *
The vehicle entered the Bastetian homeland. There was no surveillance like the previous Atlanta infiltration. It was just a special case from the beginning.
'I can't say this is normal either.'
Unlike the old days, the modern Bastetians are not wary of external enemies. It has been 40 years since the entire continent suffered from a disaster. Since then, attempts to invade Bastet have stopped.
'More than anything, they are ignoring the continental people.'
Here, the situation between Minos and Pecatum is completely opposite. Minos suffers the same discrimination as Pecatum outside. No, it may be worse.
There is a perception outside that 'Pekatum is dangerous to touch'. However, Minos is different. After all, its basic specs are lacking.
There is some truth to the expression "inferiority."
'Well, thanks to that I was able to enter the country comfortably.'
Kim Yi-hyeon checked the surrounding scenery while driving on the road. A road that had not been maintained for a long time. Trees that had grown haphazardly and unevenly. A sign that was about to fall down…
Everywhere you look, it's bleak and rough. It's a completely different feeling from Atlanta, which gave off a resort vibe. It was closest to Ullants, where I met Roscoe and Asterike.
'Come to think of it… I've been to quite a few places.'
From Cadillac, where I first fell, to Cilicia. Shalem, where the lab is located, and the Kingdom of Vines, where I stopped by during the Ashbelt operation. I recently came to Atlanta, and now to Basteterra.
"At this rate, I'll end up traveling all over the continent."
I couldn't help but laugh out loud at the absurdity. In the past, I had never even made a passport, let alone traveled abroad. I couldn't believe how strange my fate was.
As a substitute, I had a lot of time to enjoy the scenery this time. Bastet was a country that fit the description of being 'unnecessarily wide' perfectly.
It took three whole days just to reach the capital.
'Are we there now?'
If I had taken the train, it would have been shorter, but it would have been a hassle to go back to get the car. Above all, I didn't know if I would get into trouble if I had used public transportation.
The king's road is Magnu.
As soon as I entered the city, I saw the lofty spire of the royal palace. Below, there were rows of houses with pointed roofs. Gray smoke rose from the chimneys.
Modern society after the Industrial Revolution. The cityscape was familiar to Kim I-Hyeon. He had only just arrived, but he had seen many aspects of Magnu.
Even the sight of streets burning and castles collapsing.
'I should start getting ready soon.'
* * *
In any city of any country, there is bound to be darkness. The errand boy Titis was also part of the darkness that fell over Magnu. He was a problem solver who would take on even illegal work if he received a request.
A guest came to see Titis.
"You want me to get something for you?"
Titis picked his ear. A deserted back alley. A man wearing a shabby jumper stood in front of him. His face was not visible because of the hood.
It was obvious what it meant.
"Oh my, did I just take on too many requests?"
The little finger that had been poking his ear was extended to the man. Titis blew the earwax crumbs that had been resting on his finger.
"Now some Minos brat wants me to do his shopping for him. Hey, come here and get some horns instead of wasting time on stupid shit. Get some transplants or something. I heard you're popular among the Minos."
Hood. Nothing was more cumbersome to Pecatum than that.
They are a race that was proud of their horns. It may be a shameful thing to hide abroad, but it is different in Bastitera.
Even if he covers his face, he does not hide his horns. He even considers it as giving up his identity. The only person who goes around behaving like that is Minos.
Minos can't help but be jealous.
"You must be unlucky. I don't know where you are as a slave, but you need to teach your master some manners..."
For a moment, Titis closed his mouth. It was because of the cold sensation that touched his chest. As his trembling eyes moved downward, he realized the situation he was in.
The revolver was aimed at the heart.
"Hey, hey, hey, what the fuck. Where's the gun."
"The maintenance fee is one piece. I will also pay for the item."
"Huh, one sheet? A million?"
"The barrel is small. It's ten times that big."
Gulp.
Titis's throat fell off on its own.
Credits are also used in Bastitera. It may seem strange since there is almost no exchange with other countries, but you have to realize that it is a game. The more detailed the settings, the more complex the system becomes.
But of course, there is a difference in prices.
Ten million credits. It might not be enough in Cilicia, but in Bastitera, it was enough to build a small house.
"What's the answer?"
"...Okay, I got it."
"Okay. Just listen to the story."
The hard muzzle of the gun pressed against his chest. Even as his entire body stiffened, Titis was thinking of subduing the opponent the moment he let his guard down. It was a matter of pride, apart from the high compensation.
But there was hardly any gap in sight.
His finger is on the trigger as if he's about to shoot at any moment. The direction of his gaze cannot be confirmed because of the hood. His left hand is hidden in his sleeve.
'What kind of guy is he?'
It was a type I had never met in my life.
The only Minos that Titis knew were livestock. They were all weaklings, unwilling to rebel, and raised by the strong.
This client felt like a different creature from them. He didn't have the intimidating presence of a knight of the castle, but he was fierce. It felt like standing on a sharp blade.
"You just need to prepare the items I'm talking about from now on. Of course, the sources of each item must not be revealed."
And I started listing the items I needed.
There weren't many kinds. It was enough to be able to memorize on the spot without having to take notes. When he heard it all, a feeling of discomfort rose on Titis' face.
"What on earth are you going to use that for…?"
"Should you know?"
"Ah, ah. I misspoke."
It was just a useless talk. It's not a good attitude to try to find out about a request. I've been through it a few times while working as a problem solver, but it seems like I still haven't come to my senses.
"I can't give you much time. I'd like it to be processed within three days at the latest."
The conversation was soon settled. The client paid 30% of the fee as a deposit and leisurely disappeared.
3 million credits. Even though he had received a large sum of money right away, Titis couldn't be completely happy.
'With metal wire, handcuffs, what…?'
There are crazy people in the world.