Completely unaware of the situation in the National Hero Conference, Kalstein spent his time wandering around the [Dimensional Integration Community]. Just earlier, he had been on an avatar matchmaking session.

“Oh my...”

Kalstein, who had entered the ‘Avatar Matchmaking’ room with the sinister intention of ruining any potential couple, left with a Buddha-like smile on his face.

- What the heck?!
- No way...
- Where’s that beautiful princess that’s even famous in the neighboring country?
- The harm of exaggerated ads.avi
- Hahahahaha
- Look at that guy’s face, hahahaha
- But that’s probably the same for the other person too, hahahaha

Instead of destroying the couple, an unexpected situation unfolded where people tried their best to get the two together, creating a bittersweet scene.

- Thank you for coming to this session, Lord Yureta.
- Huh? Yes… it’s an honor to meet the rumored princess in person.
- It should be an honor. How dare the second son of a mere count’s family look down on me? Even my father is something else.

[‘Cupid of Love’ has donated 1,000P.]

- Confession of love, go ahead!

- I... I... excuse me, but... I love you.
- Hmph! At least you know I’m pretty.

- Ahhh...
- Stop...!
- Hahahahaha
- This is ridiculous.
- Well, I’m leaving.

Kalstein could walk away contentedly. It was just a moment ago when he had been wandering around the community like a ghost, visiting here and there.

“Huh?”

He noticed something suspicious.

Did he see it wrong? No, he definitely saw something.

It was a post in the community with an ambiguous title, one that was difficult to understand. A jumble of meaningless words? It seemed like it was supposed to make sense, but it was impossible to comprehend.

He searched again, but it seemed to have been deleted quickly, and he couldn’t find it.

Well, maybe it was just a mistake, and someone deleted the post right away. But this didn’t seem like the first time something like this had happened. Previously, he had ignored it without much thought.

There was a strange smell in the air. Like a suspicious story about North Korean spies?

If it had been a regular post, he probably wouldn’t have cared.

Humans, after all, were naturally curious creatures. The more something was hidden, the more they wanted to uncover it.

The traces had vanished in the blink of an eye. If he were an ordinary user, he would’ve been forced to wait endlessly until the same thing happened again.

But who was he?

Juddak.

What can’t I do?

Nothing.

He directly activated the admin mode. Kalstein, who had no shame in abusing his admin privileges, took full advantage.

“Let’s see…”

He checked the logs that quickly appeared.

“This one’s not it, and this one neither.”

There was so much data, he could easily get lost, but since Aria had tidied up the UI, he could quickly find what he needed.

- Author: Darkness of Darkness
- Title: The Main Dealer of Ttu-bang-Ttu-bang Sounds, a Cold-Blooded Casanova... 
  Kkwi-jja-tuk-hot-jjam-nik-yyut-bib-dyo-ruk...

- Confirm
- Hoi
- Okay.

What was this? Darkness of Darkness? Ttu-bang-Ttu-bang?

He examined the post history but didn’t find anything special.

“Hmmm.”

But he didn’t give up. He went through older posts and checked them thoroughly.

“Aha!”

Then he discovered something strange.

“Wow... so it’s like this?”

They had been editing comments on an extremely old post, having conversations in them. Even the most diligent users wouldn’t easily find posts that old.

Aha. He roughly understood what was going on.

The odd post by “Darkness of Darkness” seemed to be a signal. If they posted at a specific time, certain people would gather at old posts and modify comments and reply to each other.

A secret meeting?

- Starting the 6th regular meeting.
- Applause.
- Oh.
- How’s everyone been?

Such a suspicious secret gathering?

Kalstein’s curiosity was piqued.

He silently observed their gathering. Normally, this would be called “Daknun Sam,” meaning “Shut up and lurk for three days,” which advised watching the atmosphere first without interrupting the conversation.

- What exactly is Juddak aiming for?
- A streaming broadcast, huh? What the hell is Juddak trying to do, I can’t even guess.
- Right? It’s strange.
- Doing this kind of cheap service after sucking up all the karma points.
- Everyone must be saving their points, right?
- Of course. Hehe.

Hmm? What did they just say?! Oh, it turns out it was talking behind my back?

How could this not be interesting!

- (Darkness of Darkness): This might be the beginning of the dimensional invasion. Like those "guys."
- It’s not impossible. There are even comrades who’ve gone silent, aren’t there?
- That’s because I was needlessly triggered after watching the "Flame Dragon" video...
- Oh! Quiet down! Newbie!
- Yes...
- Anyway, this is not something we’ll see easily.
- Right.
- Juddak is definitely a demon! He created a ridiculous gacha system, like a satanic system!
- Hm. Looks like Earth-origin users are familiar with this.
- ...

Compared to other useless posts made to grab attention, this conversation seemed much more intriguing.

- (The One Who Beats With Money): Hi-hi~! You guys are talking about some fun stuff, huh?

“...”

But had he spoken too soon?

Even though there was a friendly greeting, there was no response.

Silence.

The lively conversation suddenly stopped.

It felt a little awkward...?

- (The One Who Beats With Money): Hey, guys?

Could someone answer?

Boom!

It was almost like he heard that sound.

In an instant, the post was deleted!

The traces left behind were already gone. They had all run away like hamsters encountering an elephant!

“Whew…”

Wait, I only said a greeting. Is that too much?

Of course, I had collected DNP points. I had enough sense to do that.

“Hehe.”

Kalstein hummed as he checked the logs of “Darkness of Darkness.”

As expected.

- (Darkness of Darkness): I didn’t expect someone to be such a pervert, digging through old posts.
- Yeah, I didn’t expect that either.
- I had to move it all around.
- Has everyone else arrived?
- Ah, the Saint hasn’t arrived yet.
- Newbie just got here!

Their unity was impressive.

The secret group had reassembled in no time!

How suspicious they were.

- But that guy who came in by accident earlier, that nickname seems familiar.
- Hmm. He seems to be the one who was in the sponsorship rankings recently.
- Ah... I remember now. He’s the one whose points were overflowing, right?
- Could he have been the new recruit? He looks like he has a lot of points...
- (Darkness of Darkness): As you know, we only operate on recommendations.
- Of course. Naturally. If anyone betrays us, they’ll become dust along with the continent and the universe.
  
No, guys. I’m not that petty…

Kalstein felt a slight sense of injustice.

“Those who’ve received ‘special(?)’ gifts were the ones who had touched the dimensional paths.”

He wasn’t the kind of person who’d make entire continents vanish just because of a few insults. Sure, a harsh ban by the dedicated users’ sharp blades was inevitable, though.

Anyway.

It wasn’t entirely wrong, so he continued lurking.

- (Darkness of Darkness): By the way, we have a new recruit this time.
- Oh... this is getting interesting.
- Is it someone we know?
- Wow. Is it someone that Darkness recommends?
- (Darkness of Darkness): Yes. And I think you all might know him. Although, he's not human...

- Oh! Who are they? Why the suspense?

- (Darkness of Darkness): Well...!

Oh! Who is it?

- (Rich is Rich): Hello. Lowly humans. I am Lich King Raymond.
- Oh!
- Welcome.
- Applause, applause.
- Hey, newbie! Aren’t you being too cocky for a newcomer?

A familiar face appeared.

Lich King Raymond?

Ah, that guy.

Kalstein thought that the lich would fit well into such a gathering.

- (Rich is Rich): So what exactly is this place?
- (Darkness of Darkness): Hehe. Welcome. There’s no need to rush. There’s plenty of time, right? Mr. Lich?
- (Rich is Rich): I have made progress in my research, and I don’t have time. I’d like to get to the point.

Progress in his research?

“Well, it’s not impossible.”

When items from the dimensional shop contain more advanced technology than needed, the sealing option is automatically applied. If disassembled, it would either break or explode, making it impossible to even open.

But in the Galactic Empire, overly primitive technology didn’t usually have that. Sealing them often consumed more points, but those receiving them might have been happy, calling it “latest technology.”

- (Darkness of Darkness): Aren’t you also dissatisfied with Juddak? You can slowly talk about that.
- (Rich is Rich): Dissatisfied? Yeah

… I have a lot of complaints.
- (Darkness of Darkness): Haha. I knew it! My eyes never lie!
- Juddak is crazy about points!
- If this continues, the community as we remember it will surely disappear.
- The old idyllic atmosphere has mostly vanished.
- Was it ever really idyllic...?
- Quiet down, newbie!
- Every single item could have an impact on the world we live in. If we’re careless with this...
- Some of these items with crazy performance could break our will to train and make it meaningless.
- Right. There are fewer people who are serious about training now. There are many who just want to hit the gacha and waste karma points.
- To earn karma points, some have even destroyed the balance of the world.
- These sudden changes are too dangerous.
- Hmm. Anyway, welcome here. Mr. Lich.

Kalstein wasn’t particularly bothered by the complaints, as he had expected all of them.

And.

Was there any need to resolve the complaints...?

No.

He wasn’t running the community just to please users.

Of course, it might be worth considering steering things in a softer direction to suck up more karma points.

Just then, a comment from Lich King Raymond popped up.

- (Rich is Rich): Have you seen these pathetic guys? They’re just a bunch of losers full of inferiority complexes and jealousy!
- (Darkness of Darkness): ...That’s a bit harsh. Raymond.
- Inferiority complexes?! 
- Ugh! The lich is hitting hard!
- Quiet down, newbie.

Huh? What’s this? Why is he suddenly defending me?

- (Rich is Rich): Juddak is great, there’s no doubt about it. His skills and results speak for themselves. There’s no need to deny that.
- (Darkness of Darkness): What do you mean by that? Which side are you on?
- (Rich is Rich): Now that I see it, this was a waste of time. Sigh. Listen. If you're behind, admit it and learn from the ones ahead. Stop whining in place. Do you envy his skills? Are you jealous of his power? If so, whip yourself into shape and stop running your mouth.
- (Darkness of Darkness): I think I misjudged you, Mr. Lich.
- (Rich is Rich): ...I guess we’re not on the same wavelength. I’ll be leaving. You guys can continue this pointless conversation. And by the way... I’m not human. Tch.
- (Darkness of Darkness): ...

Wait, why is he being so awkward all of a sudden?

Lich King Raymond didn’t leave any more comments, and it seemed the rest of them had gotten quiet after the tense atmosphere.

What was this?

This wasn’t what I expected.

That Lich! He really poured cold water on an otherwise sweet honey pot!

Anyway, now’s the time.

Kalstein’s eyes gleamed.

This is it!

- (I am the Pirate King): Juddak, you piece of trash!!

Let’s go!

In an instant, Kalstein changed his nickname.