The Count’s Youngest Son Is A Player Chapter 301

Episode 301

“What is the situation of the players in question?”

“We are currently escorting you to the Purple Association through the portal.”

“Everyone will be confused, so make sure to keep them as safe as possible.”

“Yes Master.”

The gate wave that erupted on Earth is no longer just a problem for Earth.

The accounts of those who were first swept up in the wave and lost their lives were completely deleted.

It seemed that the vital response of the user registered in the capsule disappeared and its contents were transmitted to Connect.

Connect Co., Ltd. posted a memorial to the victims on the community and also listed a list of confirmed deaths.

The number was close to 500,000, so the shock was not small.

The ‘low-end public capsule’, which began deployment six months ago, has significantly increased the number of connected users.

Capsule rooms, like PC rooms, were created, and people who could not get a personal capsule could easily access Connect through a public capsule.

So, the number of Connect users with current accounts has exceeded 200 million.

500,000 of them.

It may seem small in terms of percentage, but the fact that someone I was playing with passed away overnight was not an easy thing to think about.

‘Besides, that number may continue to increase.’

And that was bound to have an impact on Connect.

A few days after the Gate Wave incident on Earth.

The number of Connect users was less than 1/10 of the usual number.

This was putting a burden on each territory, which had entrusted some of the security of gates and fixed dungeons to the players.

As the number of players who used to pay low prices for dungeon by-products decreases, expensive NPC mercenaries or territorial soldiers must be deployed.

Not only that, but the void among players is increasingly felt on the border where there is a confrontation with the empire or other races.

Connect had become significantly more dependent on players.

Although deleting the accounts of deceased people was inevitable, the real problem was those who were unable to log out.

First of all, Connect Co., Ltd.’s official position is that logout has been temporarily restricted because the real-life capsule cannot guarantee safety.

And in relation to that, several videos and experimental results were provided.

-Capsules capable of self-generating power operate normally for up to one month even if the power supply is cut off.

-The nutritional provision function built into the regular capsule guarantees the user’s survival for up to one month.

In conclusion, this meant that capsule users could survive for a month without logging out.

Because that’s not enough.

bang! Ride it!

The video provided directly demonstrated the durability of the capsule.

As if a force field had been unleashed, even when fired with a gun, only scratches were made, and even when struck with a hammer, the reinforced glass of the capsule did not break.

Therefore, it was announced that people should wait calmly and not disconnect from Connect until rescue.

“The government of the Republic of Korea will proceed with the task of excavating the capsule buried in the ruins as soon as possible…” Since

the government also said that it would focus its efforts on the rescue operation, the trapped players also seemed to feel a little relieved.

However, what if a player who cannot log out loses his or her life inside Connect?

No one could guarantee that.

That is why Raul took urgent measures to protect the players through the Purple Association.

“I really appreciate it. “I really didn’t know what would happen…”

“Wow, my heart trembled when I thought that I might really only have one life.”

“As expected of the Purple Association. “I will repay this favor forever!”

Players all expressed their gratitude to the Purple Association and the First Guild for their quick protective measures.

However, Raoul was not really at ease.

Only in the official announcement did they say that they would rescue those trapped in Connect as quickly as possible.

‘Can we really save everyone? If what I think happened happened….’

It was true that the capsule was strong.

But it wasn’t perfect.

“…After checking, it seems to be vulnerable to techniques containing mana. “It is strong against physical shock, but mana…”

Ilwoo said as if he was disappointed.

In the end, it can block impacts such as a building collapsing or flying debris, but it can be pierced by attacks from monsters that use mana.

That means….

* * *

The ruins of collapsed apartments and buildings.

We were cautious at the rescue site because we did not know if there would be survivors among the general public.

Heavy equipment slowly removed the large debris, but it could not be done quickly.

But there were people who appeared at that time.

“Ah, an awakened person!”

“These are rankers from First Management!”

Reporters immediately recognized their identities.

Regardless of the commotion, the awakened people deployed to the rescue site moved quickly.

Burr.

A large chunk of concrete was lifted up by telekinesis.

“Uracha!”

Those with body enhancement abilities picked up complex debris that was difficult for heavy equipment to touch.

“I found a capsule over here!”

“Please get out of the way!”

The weight of the capsule containing the person was not light at all.

However, the awakened people easily took out the capsule and loaded it into the cargo compartment of the transport truck.

“Life reaction discovered 3 meters underground!”

“This way! “You have to listen slowly from here!”

Those with sensing and clairvoyance abilities quickly inspected the inside of the ruins and rescued the survivors.

Thanks to this, the speed of the rescue operation became faster than expected…

“Team leader. “What should I do about this?”

The most important thing in rescue operations is rescuing survivors.

However, it was clear that recovering the body was also a part of the rescue operation.

At the place the guild member pointed to, the glass membrane of the capsule was broken and there was a body that had been cut by something and died.

“…Recovered along with the capsule as per policy.”

“All right.”

People who died inside the capsule continued to be discovered at the scene.

* * *

What is to come has come.

That’s what Raoul thought the moment he heard the news.

-[Breaking News] Victim who died in capsule survives in Connect.

-Some of the players who cannot log out have been confirmed dead in real life.

-Some scientists said this was impossible and demanded that Connect disclose related data.

-Connect Co., Ltd. has not yet revealed its official position.

There was an uproar.

The fact that the body is dead, but the spirit is still active in the connection.

Some people said it was a ridiculous rumor.

Some people laughed and said they wished it was real.

And some people criticized Connect Co., Ltd. as a devil’s company, citing life and ethics.

Some of the more extreme people said that all of this was a big conspiracy by Connect Co., Ltd.

“Connect Co., Ltd. is deceiving everyone by creating ghost characters using personal information without your consent! Reveal the truth immediately and abolish unethical devil technology!”

“Connect Co., Ltd., which is trying to take advantage of humanity’s crisis for its own benefit, should apologize immediately!”

“Awake the devil’s company that disturbed the deceased’s resting place!”

Immediately, numerous protesters gathered in front of Connect’s headquarters.

Various groups, including religious, academic, and civic groups, were repeatedly caught on air holding demonstrations, demanding an explanation of the truth and an apology.

‘You’re doing something stupid…!’

Raoul frowned and turned off the magic screen.

I wonder how many of those protesting over there are truly worried about those trapped here.

“Are we dead?”

“Are you really saying I’m just a piece of data?”

“Oh no! “I am definitely alive!”

A special shelter set up in Calypse Castle.

The players cried out to Raoul who came there.

Is the broadcast really true?

They are clearly alive, so why are they treating them like dead people?

And is he really just a piece of data?

Raoul fully understood their feelings.

In reality, he was reincarnated in Raoul’s body after dying in reality.

Of course, it was similar, but not the same way.

Raoul listened to their complaints and comforted them appropriately.

There was a lot about this that Raoul himself didn’t know yet, so he couldn’t give an answer carelessly.

But one thing was clear.

“You are all alive. There is a body that can think and move of its own will. It doesn’t matter whether it’s Earth or Connect. So take heart. “The fact that you can think like this is proof that you are alive.”

Isn’t Raoul himself also living in this connected world?

They too will have to survive somehow.

And Raoul was able to provide a little help so that the path wouldn’t be too difficult.

‘Connect system. ‘What on earth are you planning?’

All the way back from meeting them, Raoul’s feeling of uneasiness did not go away.

* * *

As the rescue of victims continued, controversy continued.

Those who met family members and friends confirmed dead inside Connect could not admit that they were nothing more than data.

No matter how you look at them, they were the same as before they died.

And Connect Co., Ltd. was still maintaining silence.

Meanwhile, a certain policy was circulated in the community.

-If a gate explodes near your house and you miss the time to escape, just enter the capsule and connect to Connect.

In any case, if it was a dangerous situation, it meant hiding in the capsule rather than encountering monsters outside.

This was not only because of the belief in the capsule’s own shelter function, but also because of the expectation that it would be possible to survive inside the connect in case of an emergency.

And this was not just circulated among players, but was also announced by governments of each country.

This is because it was predicted that the survival rate would be higher for those who believed in the capsule and held on, rather than increasing the damage by making a clumsy escape.

And a special law was officially passed regarding the treatment and compensation of awakened people.

The plan was to grant official access to the gate site only to officially registered awakeners and to pay compensation for monsters dealt with.

And for him, the Purple Association was summoned to reality.

Since most rankers and players were affiliated with it anyway, the intention was to temporarily recognize it as an official organization.

Players also welcomed this decision, and the Earth Awakened Association, centered around the Purple Association, was launched.

Of course, its actual role was not yet large.

The purpose was to identify awakened people on Earth who could display their abilities and, in case of emergency, request dispatch to the gate site.

But it was clear that that alone would be helpful enough in case of emergency.

In this way, time passed with work such as the launch of the Association of Awakened Persons for the rescue and recovery of destroyed sites.

People were going back to their jobs, trusting in the newly emerged heroes and the government and military that had now come to their senses.

But was it too early to feel relieved?

15 days from the start of the first gate wave.

The day left only 75 days until the final scenario.

“Oh! “That one?”

“oh my god. Another gate?”

“I guess not.”

People’s eyes were shaking.

Other gates appeared in the air.

And in the middle is a blue gate.

It even included a B-grade gate.

Wow!

The siren rang and people were once again overcome with fear.

“Evacuate quickly! “We build a new defense line according to the newly appeared gate level!”

There are no double mistakes.

Under that promise, the military and government quickly evacuated the people and redeployed troops.

Fortunately, like when the gate first appeared, the gate did not open right away.

But now everyone knew.

That that gate will open someday.

And even in the midst of the urgency, the number of people connecting to Connect actually increased.

This was because it was widely known that awakened people had awakened their abilities through Connect.

‘To become an Awakened, you need to quickly level up in Connect!’

That brought people to Connect, and places with built-in infrastructure, including Free Cities, were overflowing with players.

“If you have completed your first job advancement to level 20, please use this portal!”

“Lesley Kingdom’s Free City Creon’s hunting ground has some space!”

“We are recruiting a level 30 dungeon raid team! Please refer to the Purple Association recruitment section!”

Raoul helped new players grow by opening the portal for free and revealing real-time hunting ground information.

This is because we realized that players must grow quickly for the sake of the planet and for the sake of connection.

And that day, 70 days left until the final scenario.

The Connect system, which had been silent, issued an announcement.

-Thank you to the players who have used it so far. Connect System’s open beta service will end in 70 days.

And that threw people into a crucible of confusion.

(Continued in the next part)