Chapter 247: Max, the museum manager (3)
“You heard me loud and clear. I want the museum.
-Hu… uh?
“This museum. Give it to me.”
-W-What are you talking about?
“Let’s run this museum together. Well, there is no other purpose…”
-T-the system doesn’t allow you to take any stored items even if you step in as a manager. That won’t be allowed.
“I know that. On the way here, I found out that some are still being protected. You must complete the expedition to receive the reward because that’s the rule here. I know that rule cannot be broken. What I need is not an item. Oh! I almost forgot. First, I have to know where the isolated people are.”
-…
“Don’t even think about trading things using them. If the number is wrong, I will really smash everything. It hurts me to see the continent collapse. Please don’t make me react so negatively, alright? I am a gentle and kind person.”
I saw him rolling his eyes at my request, which led me to think that I might have to respond a little more roughly. I could see his plans of doing negotiations with the Black Swan survivors.
‘Not a chance.’
It meant that I have to show him that there was no room for a deal. It was important to instill an image of a psychopath that would really overturn everything if he made the wrong choice.
-But… that’s…
“You look a little uncomfortable.”
-Er…
“I guess I really did make you feel uncomfortable, huh, Max?”
-No, it’s not that…
Using Jung Hayan for reference, I opened my eyes wide, emphasizing how angry I was, and Max began to tremble once more, looking at me as if I was demented.
“It seems like my request was too much. I almost made a big mistake, didn’t I, Dialugia?”
“That…”
“It really looks like that! I made the museum manager, Max, uncomfortable! I was wrong! This demoralized mortal is wrong! How dare I upset the museum manager defending the Crack! I made a very big mistake!”
In an angry fashion, I began to hit the wall next to me with the stick - and although I did not have enough power to actually make a dent, I knew it still had an effect.
“Don’t do anything! Don’t run the museum too! Don’t explore! Don’t even seal it! Do nothing!”
Crash!
Bang!
This was a little hard to do alone. I wanted to have Ahn Ki-mo with me or even Park Deokgu, but upon seeing Dialugia’s expression, it seemed that I no longer needed one.
She, like Max, was also looking at me as if I had lost all my sanity. I knew she was now thinking something along the lines of, ‘This man is my child’s father?’
‘This is acting, woman. Don’t misunderstand…’
Although I wanted to clear things up with her, I needed to continue my acting if I wanted the little blond boy to successfully respond to me.
And it was effective. The moment Max looked at Dialugia’s expression, he realized that my actions indeed seemed genuine.
Honestly, I was out of breath now.
As I regained my breathing, both Manager Max and Dialugia looked at me with absurd gazes. I must’ve looked like a man who had gone crazy from his anger.
I didn’t feel bad at all.
“Phew… Phew… Phew…”
-…
“Max-ssi, have you ever heard of this?”
-Heard…what…
“I mean, I am doing you a great favor right now, Manager-ssi. It’s a very good offer. It’s an ending that can make everyone happy…”
At this, Dialugia spoke up.
“Accept it.”
-E-Even you…
“Come on. Quickly. You can see how serious he is.”
It was fun to see Max nervously swallow. He seemed to have tremendous trust in Dialugia’s judgment, as his gaze alternated between the museum’s control unit and me.
I could understand Dialugia’s train of thought, however. In order to keep the continent safe, she, too, thought that the best way would be to accept my deal.
I didn’t know if she remembered me holding Tol To-ri as a hostage, but her expression as she gazed at me definitely resembled utter disgust.
‘I must’ve looked like real trash back then…’
However, she had no choice but to comfort herself that I was on the good side.
“Phew… Phew…”
“Be quick; accept it. I know a human’s disposition best. If you accept, nothing will happen. I promise.”
-To do this to this extent…
“I was forced to be here, but I also do not want the continent to collapse. Never.”
-Grunt…
Max, who was shedding thick tears while being suppressed by Dialugia, was the victim himself.
I felt a little sorry, but I had no other option.
“There is little time left to choose, Max-ssi. Don’t test my patience.”
In the end, he began to shake and nod his head in alternation.
‘I did it.’
It would indeed seem that he had the authority to bring in another manager.
In fact, the museum itself had ceased almost every function.
Since all the magic power left in the main circuit was redirected into the preliminary program, it was unknown whether the dungeon’s original shape could be maintained as before.
‘I actually feel sorry for him.’
The exhibition halls that he boasted of were all smashed, and most of the objects in them were destroyed in vain. With just a bunch of new guests, his museum had quickly become a garbage dump. From his point of view, I was the plague—the bringer of destruction.
I saw him wiping his tears, biting his lips tightly while trying to calm his shaking hands.
Dialugia released his hand with a somewhat pitiful expression, and when he went to touch the magic circle, a system message appeared in front of me.
[Max, Level 5 Manager of the Crack Museum, has offered you a position as the Manager of the Crack Museum.]
[Do you want to accept it? The class will not change. Upon acceptance, a title will be created.]
[Crack Museum Level 5 Manager]
[You can view information that can be viewed with the Level 5 Manager of the Crack Museum. Basic privileges of level 5 managers can be used.]
‘Good.’
As I appraised the message, I could see nothing that would come back to bite me in the ass.
It wasn’t a slave contract, and it wasn’t a life-sharing obligation, like with Dialugia.
I wouldn’t accept it if it would change my class, but it would indeed be welcomed if only a title would be created. As soon as I chose to accept it, a message came once again.
[A title is created.]
[Crack Museum Level 5 Manager]
[The magic power increases by +1.]
‘Nice!’
I wanted to yell at the pleasant news. It only raised my magic stat by 1, but for me, who could no longer improve in terms of magical power, this was also good news.
At the same also began to appear in the status window.
Although it contained the authority and responsibilities of the Crack Museum manager, I did not read it in detail.
Max would do all the duties anyway. I only had to enjoy the privileges that came along with it.
However, a lot of information poured into my head. My head began to tingle.
‘Huh?’
The most amazing thing was that I could see all the control devices that couldn’t be normally be seen with my Mind’s Eye.
I didn’t know if this was the effect of becoming a level 5 Manager, but now, I had access to more detailed information, including operation methods and manuals about getting around with this job easily.
‘Still… I don’t think this will be an easy job…’
Looking at the solution book from the manager’s perspective, I could better understand how serious the current situation was.
If I had ever slapped the control with that stick, there would really be a possibility that the museum would collapse.
‘I can fix this.’
As I mulled the possibilities over, I saw Max crying and talking to himself.
-Grunt. The museum is over… It’s over… Guardian… Guardian Metel… I’m sorry. I made a mistake.
“Why are you crying, manager? A coworker came in, and you’re not happy…”
-Waaaahh… Haaah…
“Get out of your seat for a minute. Please pass the location of the survivors to the expedition outside.”
-What do you want to do again?!
“What else am I going to do? Now, this is also my museum. Isn’t it natural to fix that insane Ancient God’s Fragment?”
-Wait a minute! Do not touch these things so carelessly!
“Please get out of your seat. It’s my first time, so I don’t know if it will work… However, I think I know what to do.”
-What can you possibly know!?
“I don’t know if this is the right to do. No, but why do you keep talking to me so informally? Huh?”
-W-What do you know?
“I only know because I can see it. Why, you can’t see it?”
-See?
“No wonder your museum became a mess. Tsk.”
-…
“The museum is in a mess, but why wasn’t the auxiliary power in District 4 turned on? It’s also in the manual…”
-Huh?
“The main program seems to be down, not damaged. I’m glad you didn’t put the magic power all the way into the preliminary program. And why are your unused piles still maintained? I’ll dismantle it right away and turn it into magic power. Even such magic power can be used in a time like this.”
Now that I had gotten into work mode, Max’s voice had become irritating.
“Get out of the way. I’ll cut off all the magic power supply that goes into the exhibits maintained by the main power. It’s better to save even some of them… If it went like this, the seal would have been completely released before I could even destroy it.”
-What?
“Wow… It almost got really dangerous. Dialugia, the isolated Black Swan expedition will be in District 5 and District 32. It looks like they’re in better condition than expected, so please tell them to rest assured and guide them here. And staff Max.”
As I called his name, his expression tightened.
-Yes? Well, if there’s anything… Can I help? What should I do? I’ll assist next to you right now!!
“Get some coffee.”
At this, I received another system message.
[Legendary-grade compulsory quest is activated.]
[Quest: Continental Salvation (0/1) (Legendary)]
[Reward: (Title) Continental Guardian]
[Continental Guardian]
[This is a title given to members of the expedition who prevented the collapse of the continent. All stats are permanently increased by +1.]
Now, this would be sufficient motivation. It now seemed absolutely unacceptable to destroy the continent where my precious descendants would live.
And just like that, I had undergone a dramatic change in attitude.