When playing a game, there are certain characters you are bound to encounter.
The most basic ones include the tutorial NPCs who guide players at the beginning, the village chiefs who provide quests in the first village, masters or trainers who teach skills and techniques, and merchants like weapon sellers and general goods vendors who trade necessary equipment and items.
However, unlike these transient interactions, there are characters players frequently meet over extended periods. These are the Main Scenario NPCs, also known as guides.
They are the ones who provide the overarching storyline of the game to players and change the course of the game’s history through routes different from those of the players. They could be considered hidden protagonists.
Among them, the most prominent are the “Hero Party”, frequently referred to as the Quest Generators.
The role of the Hero Party varies in each game. In some, they move alongside the players as partners, leading the scenario. In others, they provide various requests and information instead of acting directly. Sometimes they uncover hidden secrets or events independently, separate from the players.
In the case of Connect, it was often the latter. Their role was to roam the continent, uncovering enemy conspiracies and triggering various events, independent of the players.
‘If I were merely a player, meeting them wouldn’t have been so bad.’
What is the ultimate goal of a player? It’s to see the game’s ending. And the fastest way to reach the game’s ending is by following the quests provided by the main scenario NPCs.
In his previous life, Bae Dohyun had progressed that way. He would follow the quests obtained from the guides, and when he hit a wall, he would raise his level through hunting and training. When he felt he had enough skill, he would continue with the main scenario.
Eventually, he could not access the main scenario due to interference from a massive guild, but that was the typical gameplay approach.
The Hero Party Bae Dohyun met in his past life was different from those who had now sought Raul. Connect was a game set in the entire continent.
Naturally, one Hero Party couldn’t possibly manage the immense number of players. He had gathered information on more than ten distinct Hero Parties.
‘But there is a commonality.’
Each Hero Party almost invariably included members from the Orders. And naturally, one “Hero”, blessed with divine power, was always part of the party. This hero always had to be an individual from a lower class, belonging to no particular organization.
‘The problem is….’
Their noble goal was 『the salvation of the Connect world』.
The unprecedented crisis brought by the gates, the release of a seal that had lasted over a millennium, the civil wars and the empire’s invasions ravaging various countries—all these were threats to the Connect continent.
Their will to stop these threats and restore peace to the continent was commendable. But achieving such pure goals required something critical.
‘Unwavering conviction and a strong sense of justice. It’s only natural to need pure individuals unsullied by worldly desires for this.’
The Holy Empire selected party members for the Hero Party based on such criteria and dispatched them across the continent. And that was the start of all disasters and issues.
Life is filled with “continuous absurdities”, a world full of unfairness and inequality. Even modern Earth, with its most advanced political systems, is like this. What then of Connect, a world based on the medieval era?
The Hero Parties spread out into the world, causing various problems. The party, centered around the “Hero” and a “Priestess” or “Paladin” trained in the Orders, saw the world as full of absurdities and injustices.
They sought to realize “justice” wherever they went, in the name of the gods and the Orders. They eradicated shadow organizations collecting protection money in shopping districts, liberated villages controlled by mercenary bands that had taken advantage of the chaos, exposed merchant guilds involved in bribery, and even conducted heresy trials against lords who plundered commoners.
Naturally, those who suffered praised them, and players welcomed them for the quests they provided.
‘But it didn’t all result in positive outcomes.’
Once the Hero Party left, another organization would take over the shopping district and exploit merchants even more ruthlessly. Villages protected by the now-destroyed mercenary bands would be annihilated by monster attacks within a fortnight.
The collapse of large merchant guilds supplying city goods would cause supply disruptions, leading to skyrocketing prices and widespread suffering. Noble lords deposed in heresy trials would leave territories embroiled in civil wars and territorial battles over the succession, decimating more than half the population conscripted into the ensuing conflicts.
Such incidents occurred frequently, further destabilizing the already chaotic Connect continent.
‘Why does this happen?’
To Raul, the answer was obvious. The Hero Party might have realized “justice”, but they never took “responsibility”.
They would make grand gestures and be praised, but they never handled the aftermath.
‘No, maybe they had no intention or ability to do so.’
Even if villagers begged the Hero Party to stay a bit longer due to perceived danger…
“We’re sorry. We have a ‘greater mission’ we must attend to.”
Greater good. Justice. These colossal shields justified their actions and absolved them of responsibility. While their actions against corruption and evil were not wrong, there has to be an obligation to at least handle the aftermath if they couldn’t see it through to the end. If not, who exactly was their justice for?
‘And the problem doesn’t change whether it’s with players or not.’
Even when they fought alongside players, they would not be present during “critical moments” or “crises”.
Sometimes, they even knowingly led players into peril.
Why? Because players could die and resurrect. Those dedicated to the continent’s salvation could die, but players, who had multiple lives, could be used up for their purpose—a kind of expendable workforce, so to speak.
‘How can I ever welcome them?’
Initially, when Raul reincarnated into Connect, he pondered utilizing the Hero Party. But the conclusion was always the same. You don’t keep a bomb that could explode anytime close to you.
The moment the Hero Party remained nearby, whether NPCs or players, they became “secondary characters”.
‘They’re like Kindaichi or Conan; only causing trouble to those around them.’
So Raul avoided forming relationships with them, but now they had come looking for him. Though he believed he had avoided the first disaster, he couldn’t afford to be complacent.
“Kane. Attach informants to keep a close watch on their every move. Also, conduct thorough investigations on each of them.”
“Understood, Master. Shall I quietly handle them if you wish?”
Kane, who had also learned of the Hero Party’s actions against Raul, was furious. But Raul quickly stopped him.
“No. Never touch them! Informants must observe them from a safe distance and never approach within a 10-meter radius. This isn’t a request but an order! Under no circumstances should there be direct or indirect contact with them.”
Seeing Raul unusually agitated, Kane looked puzzled but acknowledged. His own feelings were important, but the master’s orders were paramount. As if that wasn’t enough, Raul immediately opened the guild communication channel.
「To all guild members and those affiliated with the Viscounty: Until further orders, avoid any contact or involvement with the Order’s ‘special investigation squad.’
This takes precedence over all else; ensure this message reaches those not currently connected.」
Frankly, their skills were considerable. Knight Corellius appeared to be at the upper to top Expert level. Asher, confirmed to be the Hero, seemed to be at least upper-level Expert—Raul couldn’t determine specifics since Heroes had divine abilities he couldn’t ascertain.
Priestess Kiera was not just any priestess but a ‘Saintess’, and Shimar and Regan were no pushovers.
‘But they’re not beyond dealing with if push comes to shove.’
Entrusting the task to Kane might very well wipe them out. Nevertheless, Raul had no intention of giving such an order, nor could he.
The “divine blessings” bestowed upon the Hero Party were absolute. If they were to die for reasons unrelated to the main scenario, ‘That’s impossible.’
It’s like an unbreakable rule within the game. Even if Raul swung his aura blade to decapitate Corellius, it would undoubtedly miss due to some unforeseen reason.
Despite their tremendous rudeness toward Raul today, the Order would apologize to him but hold the Hero Party unaccountable, for similar reasons. They had what could be described as a “conditional invincibility”.
There was no way his subordinates could harm them, regardless of their efforts. Getting entangled in the process would only result in losses on Raul’s side. This was why Raul referred to them as “disasters”.
Confronting a disaster is unwise; avoiding it is the key. But should they interfere to the extent of becoming adversaries, ‘I’ll have to teach them why it’s called conditional.’
Raul’s eyes gleamed as he clicked on “How to Deal with Heroes” in the Link Cafe.
***
“Sigh…”
Saintess Kiera let out a breath of frustration. Despite all the warnings, an incident had still occurred. The problem lay with Corellius, a member of their investigation team.
‘Meeting Viscount Raul wasn’t supposed to go like this…’
While it wasn’t entirely false that Raul mobilized and utilized outsiders like private soldiers, Corellius’s remarks had crossed a line.
Some nobles and outsiders had indeed sent complaints and criticisms about Raul to the Order. However, it was equally true that his accomplishments and contributions were substantial.
The main issue was that their visit today wasn’t intended to reprimand or lecture Viscount Raul. Their original purpose was to seek assistance from the most skilled among the outsiders.
Investigations in free cities with an outsider presence had shown that the most capable ones were gathered in the First Viscounty. Coincidentally, these individuals were affiliated with an organization called the “First Knight Order”.
When they visited the First Knight Order, the outsiders were absent, leaving the guild’s affairs handled by civil servants of the First Viscounty. According to them, to commission those “rankers.” they needed to go through the First Knight Order or the First Players’ Association.
“Aren’t the First Knight Order and Association both Raul’s organizations? Instead of dealing with underlings, we should meet the lord directly.”
Convinced by Corellius, the team opted to meet Viscount Raul directly, leading to the current situation.
‘We got ourselves kicked out without even broaching our primary topic. What a mess.’
Kiera hadn’t anticipated such a turn of events. Up till now, in most territories they visited, the lords had been quick to acquiesce to their requests. None had ever struck them as capable governors.
Fearing exposure of their inadequacies, they would quickly concede to the investigation team’s demands to avoid reports being sent to the Order.
‘I thought it would be the same this time…’
This time, she had let Corellius’s harsh words slide, thinking they would have a similar effect. It turned out to be a grave miscalculation. The larger problem was, the ordeal wasn’t over yet.
“This is absurd! Everyone must have been blinded. Oh, God! Grant me the courage and strength to reveal the truths of that vile man.”
“I agree. There’s something deeply wrong here. We need to investigate further!”
Both Corellius and Asher refused to give up. They paid no mind to the instructions from the Order or the words of the bishops.
‘Oh, my God.’
All Kiera could do was pray that they wouldn’t make another colossal mistake.
(To be continued.)
TL’s Corner:
Stupid pieces of shit.