He Who Defies the Rules

Chapter 2: Lucky Day

* The Orion System has been downloaded.

* The Status window could not be opened.

“It really won’t open.”

Even after trying it numerous times, the result was still the same.

‘The status window isn’t opening.’

* There are a few damaged files.

* Trying to recover the program with safe mode.

Together with the program rebooting, the system’s voice rang through his mind.

‘Damn… What the hell is happening?’

Zion's confusion was obvious.

The system had not crashed even once in the previous 17 years since he awakened at 10.

System recovery through rebooting or other methods had never been successful.

'There's a good chance the voice I heard had something to do with the system crashing.'

It was a logical outcome. The system provided a clear message that "an unknown presence" had compromised it.

'Yet why?'

At that time, he was unable to make any decisions with certainty.

System crash caused by "some unseen presence" invading it. A directive to follow the light came from the enigmatic voice.

Zion looked at the white light in front of him while attempting to remain calm.

‘I’ve never read about a system crash on any forums for the awakened. Then… there might be some changes in the Orion system.’

The Orion System was a type of living system based on mythology.

The term Orion, referring to the prominent constellation embodied as the name of one of the brightest stars including Rigel and Betelgeuse, is said to have been the origin for this system which was the last bastion of hope for humans at the end of despair.

20 years ago, in 2022, which was called the Year of the Catastrophe.

An enormous dimensional c***k with untold size appear out of nowhere in the middle of metropolitan city in Greece.

Minutes by minutes it continues to grow as it devours the light coming from the sun.

People put name on that dimensional c***k not for celebration but for remembering the catastrophic event it holds—which was said to be a sign of the end of the world by some and a blessing by others—was Agartha. A mystical world that appeared in mythology.

And on the time, when the c***k stop growing—

A tragedy began.

An unprecedented disaster of ‘monsters’ spread rampantly all over the world.

Monsters from mythology like giants and dragons appeared, and it took too long before people realized that all of these things had become reality.

Half of the population lost their lives, and half of those remaining were killed by famine and plague.

The monsters created more corpses than any epidemic or war.

Humans resisted desperately, but the monsters were too strong. All products of science—including weapons—turned to ashes, and the armies of most countries were eradicated in the fight against monsters.

But then all of a sudden, a small hope brewed in humanity that had fallen in despair.

Humans called ‘the Awakened’ with the strength of gods appeared.

Those Awakened held the power of the gods.

That is, they started to kill monsters with the basis of the ‘Orion System’.

The Awakened. Those among them that hunted monsters were called raiders.

The most powerful weapon employed by those deemed heroes by humanity.

A system the origins of which were unknown, as well as the existence that gave rise to it.

That was the Orion.

However—

'That Orion System is changing, isn't it? It was difficult to think positively about it, regardless of what kind it would be.'

Zion was gathering his ideas when—

Tak!

The busy feet of Zion abruptly came to a standstill. Because the light that had been drifting in the air suddenly stopped and caught his attention once more.

Zion lifted his head and cast his gaze ahead. Afterward, disbelief could be seen on his face.

"A massive... door?"

He could see a large, rusting steel door in front of him.

It was a door covered in murals that were so old that it was impossible to tell what they were, giving off an unidentified aura of severe pressure.

"This is...... no way!”

Zion's mouth began to upturn, and a grin soon appeared on his face.

"The treasure gate is there!”

****

Treasure Gate

A treasure-hiding room with a low likelihood of appearing in high-rank dungeons. It was a location that was hiding a particularly unique artifact or powerful component.

'They claimed that a treasure gate thing would cost at least 5 million pesos, I believe.’

[Writer's note: 5 million pesos = 90 thousand dollars.]

With a smile on his face and a deep breath, Zion put his hand on the door.

"If an equipment item of at least A-rank emerges from here, I can immediately escape this miserable existence!"

Typically, the cost of an item of A-rank equipment easily exceeds 50 million pesos. In Philippines, it was a sum that would enable a person to purchase a luxurious home and lead a comfortable life for the rest of their days.

"Please, if there is a god, make at least an A-rank artifact appear."

The door quickly started to open as Zion started to exert some force with the hand he had on it.

Creeeeaaak……

Through the partially open door, the interior of the Treasure Gate started to come into view for him.

Zion entered with caution.

What they talked about on TV wasn't just an urban legend after all, to imagine there existed such a spot inside a dungeon.

Every wall was illuminated by torches, and a mystery shrine was visible.

Before his eyes, a small orb with a brilliant light blazing on it fluttered.

Regardless of your perspective, it ought to be the artifact.

Zion could not contain his smile.

Whiiiiirrrrl……

A sound resembling a moving motor came from the rotating sphere that was emitting a white light. After taking a deep breath, Zion stretched his hand out toward the sphere.

The moment Zion’s hand touched the sphere, a clear voice rang out.

* The system succeeded in recovering some functions.

* A new equipment item has been acquired.

* Would you like to appraise the acquired item?

“Things are working out well today.”

The system even recovered at the right time. They did say that good things happen all at once, didn’t they?

He eagerly started reading the status window that had displayed.

Then—

“……huh?!

”

Zion's pupils who were reading the item's description shrank. A perplexed expression quickly followed.

Zion massaged his eyes as he gazed hazily at the floating status box.

[Equipment Item]

Name: Bathala’s Lost Eye

Rating: Mythic

The eye given up by Bathala, Gods of all the gods in Philippines mythology, to gain wisdom at Lidagat’s well.

When equipped, it can allow one to understand runes and use magic to disarm or destroy.

*The only Mythic item in the world.

*Warning! Bound once equipped!

[Effects]

Skill 《Universal Derivation》 With a complete understanding of runes, all kinds of powerful magic can be used without incanting. Blank cards can be consumed to copy another person’s skills.

*When copying skills, penalties do not carry over.

White cards in possession: 1

The sole Mythic artifact in existence.

JaeHyun had acquired a priceless object.

His voice was laced with terror as he said.

"...... Is this real?

”

He repeatedly glanced at it, but the description remained the same.

Rating: Mythic

"S-rank is the highest ranking that has so far appeared in the auction." At the auction house, even that easily exceeded tens of billions of pesos. Particularly, you can sell items connected to magic for whatever price you specify.

What then? A mythic object? The only one in the entire planet, too? ’

"Ha ha ha..."

Uncontrollable laughter erupted from Zion's mouth.

"I no longer have to experience all that pain. I don't have to put up with guild insults or being used as a meat shield in dungeons! I'm allowed to eat whatever I like! ”

Zion was overcome with excitement as he looked at "Bathala's Lost Eye," and he grinned widely.

For him as well, spring had finally arrived.

As he added the object to his inventory, Zion attempted to calm down.

He suddenly had a thought as he was acting.

Should I attempt equipping it now that I have it?

……Sure. I don't get to use a Mythic item every day.

In the past, all raiders yearned to possess high-ranked items.

The high rank of an item could be a raider’s pride. It could also save their life in a dungeon.

Zion hardened his heart and opened his status window to equip the item.

Then—

* Warning! The item 《Bathala’s Lost Eye》 becomes bound once equipped. Would you like to equip?

“N-no! Cancel right away! Quickly!”

He slowed his shocked heart, not having read the caution because he was mesmerized by the Mythic rating.

"Phew. I nearly blew away the Mythic artifact I laboriously acquired."

Zion wiped his cold sweat away and put the "Bathala's Lost Eye" back in his inventory.

"I have no need for this equipment. I'll get billions and billions of pesos just by selling it.

After all, it was a Mythic artifact. Why would it be necessary to equip it?

Zion had dealt with many adversaries throughout the last seven years. He frequently found himself paralyzed by terror, and he also had multiple near-death experiences.

He was forced to become a raider and had no choice but to do so. He wasn’t continuing to do it out of any love for the job.

That was why he had no plans to equip 《Zion’s Lost Eye》.

‘A big house and a foreign car… I can do whatever I want now!’

Zion left the Treasure Gate with a very light heart.

It was time to return.

*****

“Ha, where did Zion Manalo go? We have to start fighting again in a bit.”

“He will probably be back soon. It seems he went to the bathroom for a moment.”

Rico Liang frantically made excuses.

“Phew… Seriously.”

Ken Dela Cruz, the raid's captain, displayed his impatience by glancing at his customized watch.

Due to the minimal budget of the guild, even one individual missing would result in a significant loss of power.

Particularly considering that the Magicians positioned in the back were the least adept at close quarters combat.

The configuration would be obliterated in the ensuing turmoil if the monsters approached even slightly.

"Let's try holding off a bit... Oh! There, he is. Zion, hurry up. The mission is currently being carried out.

I apologize for being late.

Zion dropped his head and shown embarrassment. He moaned when Ken Dela Cruz reprimanded him.

"If you move by yourself like this, it's difficult. It would be ideal if something similar didn't occur again."

“Yes. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Zion offered his regrets once more.

Thankfully, Ken Dela Cruz walked away without saying anything further.

“Um, Zion. Don’t feel too sad… huh?”

"Haha, Brother, it's nothing. I'm good. And I'll cover the cost of tonight's drinks. I can't keep getting things for free.

“Huh? Uh…”

Zion's unexpected response caused Rico Liang to c**k his head.

'At the age of 27, did he finally lose his mind?'

Zion's expression was bright as he filed into position while holding his shield in one hand.

'Phew. Did he just fall for it?'

Zion made no mention of discovering a Treasure Gate.

He had not left the dungeon.

It was a lawless area with no one outside ever knowing whatever happened inside.

Saying he found a good item in here was the same as saying he wanted to die, and Zion was not stupid.

‘It won’t be too late to sell the item after clearing the dungeon as planned. It’s important not to needlessly attract suspicion right now.’

Rico Liang shook his head to express that he couldn’t understand, then he grabbed his shield as well and moved into formation.

After checking that the newly-formed frontline had no cracks in it, the raid captain shouted.

“Okay, since the frontline has been reformed, let’s start clearing…”

Boom! Bang bang bang bang!

In the next moment, a loud explosion almost burst their ears.

Next thing Zion realize was that no one in his vicinity is alive. No one but him.

____