Disaster Order is a collection-based idle game.
Therefore, there were countless disasters for players to collect.
In total, there were about three hundred disasters, including forty 4-star disasters and seven 5-star disasters.
I had collected all of them except for three 5-star disasters.
And now, in a world where the system of Disaster Order has become reality, the four 5-star disasters I owned, along with the remaining three hundred disasters, have settled into this world.
Even now, if you turn on the news, you can easily see disasters with familiar faces committing massive slaughters all over the world.
After quitting the game, the world has come to this.
I felt a slight pang of guilt, but there’s no way to fix it.
I can’t just fly to the other side of the world and stop them right now.
Above all, the problems right in front of me are piling up.
“Asteria, Karne. We need to track these two.”
Just like the disasters appearing on the news, Asteria and Karne are probably somewhere in the world.
They must know that I’m living in this world too.
Asteria and Karne are the third and fourth 5-star disasters I acquired.
Since Selene and Mirien were the first and second, respectively, the time I spent with the latter two was relatively short, but that doesn’t mean I neglected them.
In fact, since I acquired them later, my base was sufficiently developed, and I was able to provide them with full support.
If anything, I gave them more than enough.
Considering that Mirien, who only received an artificial heart, committed murders to help me, the other two probably aren’t any different.
‘Anyway, it’s highly likely that both of them are up to no good. I should at least know where they are and what they’re doing.’
Tracking them alone would have been difficult for Selene, but with Mirien, it’s not impossible.
Unlike Selene, who specializes in one-on-many combat, Mirien was developed as a typical damage-dealer and supporter.
Her tracking skills, in particular, are impressive enough to cover an entire continent.
“Mirien, can you find their whereabouts?”
“…Hmm. Well, it doesn’t seem impossible…”
“I’m counting on you.”
Mirien didn’t look too pleased.
However, as soon as I said the word “please,” her expression changed completely, and she nodded.
While Selene prefers to give orders forcefully, Mirien likes to be coaxed like this.
“If I activate the tracking magic from the rooftop of the tower… I should be able to find them within seven days…”
Mirien spoke while glancing at me.
“But, Actor, I have one request.”
“What is it?”
“Even if I’m on the rooftop, you have to come see me at least once a day. Even if it’s just for a moment, show me your face.”
Mirien’s request wasn’t surprising.
Although she’s under my command, given the number of atrocities she’s committed, I need to check on her periodically to ensure she’s not causing trouble.
However, Selene seemed to find Mirien’s request quite irritating. Selene stepped forward with a scowl on her face.
“You magic-obsessed wench, what have you done to deserve calling our lord to you? Stop daydreaming and focus on your task.”
“Who do you think you are to order me around?”
Mirien’s expression turned fierce, and a cold atmosphere settled between the two.
The difference in personality and disposition between Mirien and Selene was like night and day.
The reason I didn’t keep them in the same base was precisely because of this.
“You two, you were getting along earlier. Don’t tell me you lied to me?”
With that one remark, Mirien and Selene finally averted their gazes.
“Anyway, Mirien, I’ll visit you once a day as you asked. If that’s too much, then once every two days. Don’t worry.”
“Okay!”
“And Selene, you have something else to do with me. Don’t even think about bothering Mirien.”
“My lord, I had no intention of bothering her.”
“Alright, let’s just hear what you have to say.”
I clapped my hands to settle the situation.
From now on, I plan to gather information about Asteria and Karne.
It would be better to ask Selene, who has been at our base the longest, rather than Mirien.
“Selene, do you remember what kind of personality Asteria had?”
“That woman…”
“Don’t say she’s vicious or scheming. Try to be as objective as possible.”
I preemptively cut off Selene’s usual complaints.
She then reluctantly began to speak with a pout.
“…Asteria is a mysterious woman.”
“Mysterious?”
“…She never shows much emotion. She doesn’t get angry, nor does she show joy. No matter what happens, she remains calm. In my opinion… she’s almost like a god. She sees all living beings as beneath her. It’s as if she’s looking down at insignificant creatures from the distant universe.”
“…The universe?”
“Yes. Even when she does show emotion, it’s impossible to tell if it’s genuine. She’s that mysterious and imposing.”
The Star-Devouring Queen, Asteria.
I vaguely remember her background story.
She was the queen of an ancient kingdom. Hated by the universe, she was imprisoned for eternity.
However, she awakened her unique power, “Color,” and walked out of her prison to revive her kingdom.
Her new kingdom prospered by shattering stars and devouring their power, committing blasphemies.
Eventually, the world, unable to withstand her power, led Asteria into a world of cracks.
‘What a terrifying backstory.’
Compared to Selene, who merely burned down a world, or Mirien, who used hundreds of thousands of people as test subjects, Asteria’s scale is on another level.
This is probably because Asteria, the Star-Devouring Queen, was added as a 5-star character in an update.
Must be due to “adult circumstances,” I guess.
“But, my lord, there’s one thing you should know.”
“What is it?”
“The way Asteria looks at you is closer to benevolence than indifference. That woman sees you not as someone to serve, but as one of her people to protect.”
“…Selene, that’s the complete opposite of you.”
“Indeed.”
Well, her title is “Queen,” so it’s natural for her to see ruling and reigning as her right.
She seems like a difficult personality to deal with.
“Then, what about Karne?”
The Mother of Calamity, Karne.
She is a half-human, half-beast demon who uses crows and other summoned creatures, making her a versatile character.
I remember using her often because she was effective in any team composition.
Karne’s backstory is also ridiculously extreme, as expected of a 5-star disaster.
From what I recall, she spread a plague that wiped out more than half of the world’s population.
“Karne, you mean?”
“Yes. Do you know anything about her?”
“…That harlot.”
“Selene, stop with the bad language.”
“That woman… is the complete opposite of Asteria.”
“Opposite?”
At my question, Selene nodded and raised her head.
Her gaze was directed toward the staircase leading to the top floor of the tower.
“Karne’s personality is similar to Mirien’s, I think.”
“…She adores me?”
“Similar, but different. To Karne, my lord, you seem like… a child she needs to take care of.”
Selene spoke cautiously, watching my reaction.
“…It’s maternal love.”
“…”
Neither of them seems normal.
*
“Ah, Dragon King! You’ve finally arrived!”
“Please, can you not use that title?”
“We’re in front of reporters. Smile.”
Director Yoo Junseo of the Management Bureau smiled warmly, slung his arm around my shoulder, and grinned broadly at the camera.
Reluctantly, I stood next to Yoo Junseo and forced an awkward smile.
The current location was Seoul City Hall.
Right next to the Management Bureau building.
“Isn’t it ridiculous that we’re receiving presidential commendations?”
I came to Seoul City Hall to receive an award.
Since the Blue House was destroyed by the earthquake caused by Selene, the presidential residence has been temporarily moved to Seoul City Hall.
“…Oh, right. Did you know they’re calling us the Twin Kings now? The Dragon King and the Flame King.”
Yoo Junseo whispered in a voice too low for the reporters to hear.
That damn “Dragon King” title was driving me insane, but the media had already started calling me that.
At this point, I’ve resigned myself to it. At least the title “Maestro” didn’t catch on.
“Don’t take it too hard. I told you I’d make sure you’re well taken care of after this is over, didn’t I?”
For some reason, Yoo Junseo’s gaze toward me had changed since that day.
The act Selene and I put on to drive him out had been too effective.
I even went along with his lies to protect his reputation.
In Yoo Junseo’s eyes, I must seem like some noble hero.
“So, here’s the thing. As the Director of the Management Bureau, I’ve been thinking about what I can do for the Dragon King.”
Even after the award ceremony, Yoo Junseo kept talking to me, oblivious to my discomfort.
“After this incident, there’s been some discussion within the bureau about having an S-class Awakener take over as Director. Nam Joo-yeon, how about you becoming the Director of the Awakener Management Bureau…?”
“I’m not interested.”
“…I figured as much. Hmm. What a shame. Yeah, everyone will be disappointed.”
Although he said that, the corners of Yoo Junseo’s mouth twitched.
He seemed overjoyed at the prospect of continuing as the Director.
What a shameless opportunist.
Kang Sena once said he was out of his depth.
She was right.
So… what do you need?
Equipment support?
Or maybe attaching military units when we take down nests…
Oh, you’ve already been doing that.
“Right…?”
Yoo Junseo’s voice gradually trailed off as he ran out of prepared lines.
I sighed and spoke.
“Just clear out the crowds near my original house.”
“……Ah, ah. Right. Right. How about moving to a better place while we’re at it? The Management Bureau won’t bother you there. I’ll even assign bodyguards. Ah, don’t worry, they won’t be intrusive.”
I nodded, understanding that he was offering a penthouse.
Only then did Yoo Junseo breathe a sigh of relief.
“Anyway, I’m really grateful for what happened last time. I almost became a traitor to the Korean Peninsula.”
Yoo Junseo smiled a petty smile and shook his head repeatedly.
As I half-heartedly responded to his meaningless chatter, Yoo Junseo paused. He was watching my reaction.
“Do you have anything else to say?”
“No, it’s just… There’s one thing I’d like to ask of you, Nam Joo-yeon.”
“If you’re going to ask me to attend some pointless event, I’ll reveal the truth right now.”
“No, no, it’s not that!”
Yoo Junseo panicked and quickly explained.
“…A few days ago, I received a report from Kang Se-na. She said the reason you declared the tower raid was to rescue the missing people, right?”
“Well, that’s one way to put it.”
“Then, could you find one more person for me?”
I had a rough idea why Yoo Junseo was asking this.
“Are you talking about Jeon Dongwook?”
“Ah, yes. You’ve already heard, I see. That’s right. Jeon Dongwook suddenly disappeared, and the situation is… complicated. Besides, he’s not the type to disappear without a word. Honestly, his position in the Management Bureau isn’t low, and he’s one of only twenty A-class Awakeners in Korea…”
“You want me to find him?”
“Yes! You’re the most outstanding Awakener in Korea, after all. You managed to find out that there were missing people in the tower, so I thought you might be able to find out where Jeon Dongwook is.”
“…”
An idea occurred to me as I listened to Yoo Junseo.
“Yes. I will definitely track down Jeon Dongwook.”
A way to manipulate the Management Bureau to my liking.
And a way to dispel suspicions about Actor.