“Stop acting like you didn’t hear me… I said the museum,” I repeated myself.

- Uh… what?

“This museum. Hand it over,” I said.

- Wh-What are you talking about?

“Let’s manage this museum together. I don’t really have any other goals…” I replied.

- E-Even if you become the manager, the system won’t allow you to take the objects that are stored here. It’s not allowed.

“I know. I noticed a few items still being protected by the system on our way here. Complete the exploration to obtain a reward. That’s the rule here. I already know that we can’t break that rule. What I need isn’t an item. Ah! Before I forget, tell me where the trapped members are,” I requested.

- …

“By the way, don’t even think about making a ridiculous trade with those guys. If something goes wrong, I will break everything here. Witnessing the continent’s destruction will break my heart, so don’t make me walk down the wrong path, okay? I’m a gentle and nice person,” I warned.

Max rolled his eyes when I asked about the trapped members, but I had no choice but to speak harshly. He probably thought it would be a good idea to negotiate with those people.

‘It’s no use.’

When thinking about the Black Swan Guild, rescuing the trapped members was important, but it wasn’t as important as this task, and I had to be clear that I wasn’t going to make a deal with the trapped members. It was important to instill the image of a psycho to the point that I would really destroy everything if I get upset.

- But… that’s…

“You seem kind of uncomfortable.” I pointed out.

- Uh…

“It seems like I’ve made Max uncomfortable. Am I right?” I asked.

- No, that’s not…

Naturally, I widened my eyes and when I maintained the same expression that Jung Ha-Yan had when she was angry, Max looked at me as if I was a psycho. He did think of me as a crazy person earlier, but now, it was much more obvious.

“I guess my request was too much for you. I almost made a very big mistake. Don’t you agree, Dialugia?” I asked.

“That’s…”

“I guess you agree! I really did make Max uncomfortable! It’s my fault! It’s the disgraceful mortal’s fault! I can’t believe I made the museum manager and guardian of the rift angry! I made a huge mistake!’ I yelled.

I started hitting the wall next to me with the stick as if I was angry.

Crack! Boom!

I wasn’t really strong. My arms were sore and even though the wall didn’t break, what I had done was effective.

“Don’t do anything! Don’t manage the museum! Don’t explore! Don’t even seal the monster! Don’t do anything!” I shouted again.

Crack!

Boom!

It was tiring since I was doing it by myself and it was then that I thought I needed someone to play along with me. I wanted to call for Ahn Ki-Mo or Park Deok-Gu, but after seeing Dialugia’s expression, I realized I didn't need help from the people outside. It was because her expression wasn’t any different from Max’s, she was looking at me as if I was really a psychopath.

‘This is called acting, my wife. Don’t misunderstand…’

Dialugia looked anxious and concerned as she looked at me as if she couldn’t believe I was the father of her child. I questioned if I was the reason why Dialugia had been acting strange recently and even though I wanted to clear up the misunderstanding, I had to maintain this act because of the blond-haired boy. Max had also started to realize that this wasn’t an act when he saw Dialugia’s face.

Honestly, I was out of breath and when I started breathing hard, Max looked at me with quivering eyes along with Dialugia. I thought maybe I looked a bit lethargic, but to them, I had to look like a crazy guy who couldn’t contain his excitement. However, I didn’t feel bad.

“Whoo… whoo… whoo…”

- …

“Have you heard of this saying, Max?” I asked.

- What… kind…

“If you continue to show kindness… people will think they’re entitled to it… What I’m trying to say is that I’m being very kind to you right now, Mr. Manager. It’s a really good deal. It’s an ending where everyone can be happy…” I replied.

Dialugia suddenly spoke, “Accept it.”

- Y-You too…

“Hurry. That human is serious,” she added.

It was really amusing seeing Max trying to suppress his words. Dialugia’s words had definitely been really believable because I noticed him looking at the museum control system and me. Honestly, Dialugia’s support was more effective than my sudden actions. Since she prayed for this continent’s safety, she wanted Max to accept my deal. I wasn’t sure if she had recalled the time when I held Smartie hostage, but she looked like she was truly disgusted with me.

‘I really was a shitty person back then…’

I could only comfort myself by telling myself that I had become a better person.

“Whoo… whoo…”

“H-Hurry up and accept it. I know that human’s nature very well. If you accept, nothing will happen. I promise you that,” Dialugia told him.

- You don’t need to…

“Even though I was forced into this position, I also don’t want to see the continent’s destruction. I really don’t…” she added.

- Ughhhh…

Max looked like an actual victim as he shed large drops of tears while being suppressed by Dialugia. I felt kind of bad, but I had no other choice.

“You don’t have much time to choose, Mr. Max. Please don’t test my patience,” I warned him again.

In the end, he nodded while trembling.

‘I did it.’

I guess he had the authority to bring in another manager. I thought he was going to say there wasn’t a way to do that, but I guess he thought he had no other choice.

The museum itself had stopped almost all of its functions. Since the mana reserved for the main program was being used for the backup program, it was hard to say if it was possible to maintain the dungeon like before.

‘I do feel bad.’

His lovely nest got destroyed because he let the wrong person in. The exhibition halls he was proud of were now in ruins, while the majority of the items on display there had been destroyed. I remember how Max confidently showed off the collection the museum had on the first day we entered. The museum he was proud of had become a dumping ground. To Max, I was sure I was akin to a plague.

It was amusing how he was crying with his hands trembling while biting his lips. Dialugia looked at him pitifully as she let go of the hand holding him down and when he tapped on a few buttons on a magic circle, a system message appeared before me.

[The Rift Museum’s Grade 5 Manager, Max, has offered the Rift Museum’s manager position.]

[Would you like to accept? Your job will not change. A title will be created upon accepting the role.]

[Rift Museum Grade 5 Manager]

[You can view the information available to the Rift Museum’s Grade 5 Manager. The Grade 5 Manager’s basic permissions are available for use.]

‘Not bad.’

I looked through it slowly, but I didn’t find any issues. It wasn’t like a slave contract and it definitely wasn’t like the time with Dialugia where I had to share my life with someone. What I liked the most was that I could start it without feeling any kind of pressure.

‘So, this is like a title...’

I was thinking about declining it if I had to change jobs, but if it meant a title was going to be created, I was willing to accept it. When I accepted, another message appeared.

[A title has been created.]

[Rift Museum Grade 5 Manager]

[Your magic stat will increase by 1.]

‘Nice!’

I wanted to scream when I heard the good news and as expected, it gave me a title. Even though it only increased my stat by one point, I was grateful because I couldn’t increase my magic stat anymore.

The authority and responsibility of the Rift Museum’s manager were written, but I didn’t read the details because Max was going to take care of the responsibilities, anyway. I just needed the authority. However, an immense amount of information started to fill my head and I felt a throbbing headache as a result.

‘Huh?’

The most interesting part was that the control system I couldn’t read with Mind’s Eye was now available to me. I wasn’t sure if it was because I had become a Grade 5 manager, but I was able to use Mind’s Eye to see its detailed information. Not only were there simple explanations, but I could see the operation method and the manual. It was so well-written that I felt like someone was asking me to fix all this.

‘Still… it won’t be an easy task…’

When looking at the situation from the manager’s point of view, I became even more aware of the gravity of the situation. If I really did hit even one of the control panels with the stick, then the museum would have really collapsed.

‘I can fix it.’

While I was nodding, I noticed Max talking to himself while crying.

- Kghhhhh. The museum is finished… completely finished… Guardian… Guardian Metel… I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.

“Why are you crying again, Mr. Manager? You should be happy to have a co-worker…” I said.

- Gaaaaah… kghhh…

“Hey, move over and deliver the location of the trapped members to the expedition party waiting outside,” I ordered.

- W-What are you up to now?!

“What do you mean? It’s my museum now. I’m obviously going to fix the issue with that Fragment of the Ancient God running rampant,” I answered.

- Wait! Don’t touch that!

“Just step aside. I’m not sure if it’s going to work since it’s my first time, but I have an idea of what I have to do,” I explained.

- You know nothing!

“Is this how you’re supposed to do it? Wait, why do you keep talking informally to me, huh?” I asked.

- Y-You know nothing, sir.

“I’m not sure what I know either. I only know because I’m looking at them with my eyes. Can’t you see them?” I asked.

- I don’t see anything…’

“The way you’re managing the museum is a mess because that’s all you’re capable of doing. Tsk,” I told him.

- …

“The museum is in this state and yet you haven’t used Zone Four’s reserve forces? It’s even written in the manual…” I pointed out.

- Huh?

“The main program is just down, not damaged… It’s a good thing you didn’t use all of the mana on the backup program. Huh? Why do you still have the dummy when you’re not even using it? Release it right now so that we can turn that into mana as well. We need all the mana we can get,” I ordered.

Max was being kind of bothersome while working.

“Move over. Also, cut off the mana supply going into the displayed items being maintained by the main power. It’s better to save some of them… If this continued, the seal would have completely shattered even before I started destroying the place,” I explained.

- Huuuuuuh?

“Wow… this could’ve been really bad. Dialugia, the trapped Black Swan Guild members are in Zone Five, District 32. They seem to be in better condition than I thought so please tell them not to worry and guide them there. Also, Mr. Max[1],” I called out.

When I called out his name, he looked nervous.

- Yes? I-Is there anything I can… help you with? What should I do? I can stay beside you and support you!

“Make me coffee,” I interrupted.

It was then that the feeling of wanting to protect this continent by sacrificing myself started to grow in my heart.

[Legendary-Ranked Forced Quest will be activated.]

[Legendary-Ranked Quest - Continental Salvation (0/1)]

[Reward - (Title) Continent Guardian]

[Continent Guardian]

[A title given to the expedition members who prevented the collapse of the continent. All stats will be permanently increased by 1 point.]

Firewood was added to the brazier.

‘It’s unacceptable to destroy the continent where the precious future generation will live.’

My change in attitude was like someone had drawn over it.

1. LKY is calling him Mr. Max as if he's an employee working for a company ☜