Chapter 1

"Subscription...?"

- The God of the Burning Hammer [How to Make Anything Yourself] [Difficulty: Hard]

- The God of Lightning [Easy Lightning Usage] [Difficulty: Medium]

- The Great Sage of the Magic Tower [From 1st Circle to 10th Circle] [Difficulty: Extremely Hard]

- The Knight of the Lake [Basics of Swordsmanship Taught by the First Son of the Lake Family] [Difficulty: Extremely Hard]

- The Eastern Sword Master 'Chak' [How to 'Chak'] [Difficulty: Unmeasurable]

[The gods require subscriptions.]

You can subscribe to the gods with likes.

Subscriptions boost the gods' scores.

The gods want to boost their scores to win!

"Subscriptions and likes? This is totally like MiTube, isn't it?"

Ethan, who became an extra in the game, found the opportunity to give likes and subscriptions.

Chapter 1: The Gods' Subscriber

Special Chapter

Yedam loved games.

Moreover, he was the type who, once engrossed in something, would see it through to the end, so he always made sure to see all the endings of any game he played.

This time, the game he started was called Mazed Pangea.

It was an open-world game with near-infinite freedom, highly praised as a "god game."

However, one thing that was disappointing was the difficulty. The game was so difficult that while it was easy to play, it was extremely hard to clear.

But Yedam realized something after starting the game.

'I must have some talent.'

He easily cleared scenarios that others found difficult, and clearing the game for the second and third time was also quick. Whether he created a new character or chose a scenario character, he could clear the game in no time.

Even so, he didn't get bored. The game was vast and intricately detailed, almost like a real world.

Thus, Yedam would immerse himself in the game until dawn after finishing his daily work.

If it were an online game, he would probably have been ranked first.

"I wish I could play games all day long."

This was his daily complaint and wish.

Of course, he didn't plan to quit his job.

He just wished to win the lottery and enjoy a carefree life while playing games.

And one night.

Yedam's wish came true.

"Ethan, it's time to take your medicine. Are you feeling okay?"

'Damn. No, this isn't what I wished for.'

It had already been a month.

Yedam had become Ethan Wickers, a sickly extra in the game.

* * *

- Quest Notification -

* Survive as Ethan Wickers [Difficulty: Hell]

[As the most sickly person on the continent, you can die at any moment. Survive as the most sickly Ethan Wickers on the continent.]

Ethan Wickers.

A character he, who had played [Mazed Pangea] with many characters, didn't know much about.

'I remember the Wickers family.'

The Wickers family had a remarkable figure named Nathan Wickers.

This Nathan Wickers was an excellent magician, one of the five stars at Freya Academy, and later became a grand mage.

'I didn't hear about having an older brother.'

This Nathan Wickers' older brother was Ethan, the current Ethan Wickers.

"Then... did Nathan die before he could make a name for himself?"

Yedam had been living as Ethan for a month.

The results of living for a month were astonishing. He had stumbled and fallen over thirty times while walking, coughed up blood fifteen times, and had to stop and rest ten times while trying to eat with a spoon.

'This body could die at any moment.'

Ethan looked in the mirror. His skin clung to his ribs, and there was no muscle to be seen. His cheeks were sunken, and his eyes were hollow.

'In this state, he was once a sword genius?'

Ethan was a well-known figure in the area.

The first son of the Wickers family showed talent in swordsmanship and was known as a sword genius from a young age, while the second son showed talent in magic and was called a magic genius. Their father was quite proud of them.

"Master, it's time to take your medicine."

The healer who entered the room handed Ethan his medicine.

'I take medicine and receive treatment every morning and evening, but there's no improvement...'

"How is your condition today?"

"It's the same as always. The worst. What disease do I have?"

The healer's expression hardened.

"Now you're even losing your memory..."

His expression was filled with more than just pity; it was a kind of mourning.

'It's like he's looking at a dead person.'

Ethan cursed inwardly. Entering the game was fine, as he had wished to play games every day.

But to be on the verge of game over right after entering?

Moreover, there was something more important.

'What happens if I die?'

In the game, you can just restart if you die.

But now, he was Ethan Wickers.

He didn't know what would happen if he died.

"Alright, what disease do I have? Isn't it time to tell me?"

"Hmm, I suppose I should tell you now. You have a soul in your head, right? This disease causes the soul to gradually rot. I'm sorry I can't explain it in more detail, but the constant headaches and physical weakness are due to this. There is some good news, though."

'No way. Did they find a way to cure it?'

"The disease has been named after you, Master Ethan."

"Is that the good news?"

It was absurd.

To bring such news as good news.

Ethan looked at him coldly, and the healer quickly added,

"I'm sorry. I was trying to lighten the mood... Given your condition, you might not see next year."

"Next year... I might die before next year..."

Ethan muttered and fell into thought.

'A disease where the soul rots, causing headaches and physical weakness. It sounds familiar...'

Ethan recalled two characters who overcame their diseases and became sword masters or grand mages.

'Ah, could it be?'

He realized what his current disease was.

'Annihilation Syndrome.'

The worst rare disease, Annihilation Syndrome.

It was certain. According to the healer's description, the symptoms matched exactly.

Here, the soul refers to the brain.

It's a rare and difficult disease to cure, but there is a way.

Someone who had this disease eventually overcame it and became a grand mage.

'I remember the cure was very difficult. But those who know the cure do. The Iron-Blooded Saint, a high-ranking figure in the Holy Empire. I need to meet her.'

But it was almost impossible.

The Saint is the flower and a powerful force of the Holy Empire. Therefore, those who are hostile to her try to find and kill her.

Thus, even high-ranking nobles find it difficult to meet her, and for a mere son of a baron, it's impossible.

But Ethan knew a way.

It's not easy, but it's not impossible.

As Ethan fell into thought, the healer bowed quietly and left the room.

'I know how to meet the Saint, but it will take time. I need to improve my condition before then.'

He couldn't afford to fall into despair.

'If I die here? If it's not just a game over but real death?'

Ethan focused on the situation. Whenever he played Mazed Pangea, he always considered the worst-case scenario.

He needed to think of his death in this world as real death.

'Survival. Survival first.'

Ethan had cleared Mazed Pangea dozens of times.

He had tried speed runs to clear it in the shortest time and achieved all the achievements.

He had poured his life into playing, so he knew there was a way to overcome this situation.

But there was a problem.

Normally, even at a low level, he could move and find a way, but now he had a sickly body that limited his movement.

'A slight misstep could cause me to die while walking.'

So, he had to find a way within the Wickers family.

'First, let's try making some potions.'

If he had herbs that could provide emergency treatment, he could make potions.

'Learning healing skills directly or obtaining artifacts is also an option.'

But there was nothing he could do immediately.

'Let's go to the warehouse first. As a baron's family, there must be something useful.'

Ethan headed for the family's warehouse.

The Wickers family had several warehouses.

Among them, the one storing valuable items was not accessible, but the other four were open.

Ethan walked slowly.

"Master!"

"Master, did you come out alone? Let me support you."

"Master!"

As soon as Ethan left his room, the nearby servants rushed to him.

They supported him with worried faces, each holding one of his arms.

"Thanks."

"It's no trouble. Where are you going?"

"I want to go to the warehouse."

"The warehouse is full of dust."

"I'll go and clear the dust first."

"It could be really dangerous to go there."

"No, I have to go."

"Then we'll clean it up first. Please come slowly."

One servant ran off, and Ethan, supported by the others, slowly made his way to the warehouse.

He entered the warehouse without any special objections.

'Let's find something with a fresh scent first.'

To improve his current condition, he needed to find herbs with a fresh scent. Mixing them with purified water would create a healing potion.

'But I don't have purified water now, so I need to rely on the herbs alone.'

In his current state, even visiting a neighboring territory was impossible.

His top priority was to be able to move properly.

Thinking this, he searched the warehouse diligently and finally found what he was looking for.

"I found it."

Ethan found a herb with a good scent and immediately put it in his mouth, chewing it slowly.

After swallowing it with difficulty, he felt a faint mana in his body.

'This is it. The taste is clear. The headache is slightly gone. This is like Tylenol.'

The headache that felt like his head was splitting had eased a bit, but it wasn't enough.

Ethan gathered all the herbs he knew.

Due to his illness, the baron's family warehouse was well-stocked with various herbs.

Just then, the healer, who had heard the news, came to the warehouse.

"Master, what's going on suddenly?"

"Do you have a helmet flower? And if you have any century herbs, please give me some."

"I do have them, but why suddenly... Not all herbs are safe to eat. Most herbs that can be used as medicine contain toxins..."

The healer started explaining, but Ethan ignored him. He already knew this.

"Please trust me and wait a little longer. If I give you these herbs recklessly, it could be very dangerous!"

Ethan tried again, but the healer's attitude was firm.

'Of course, even if I were a doctor, I wouldn't give out herbs recklessly.'

It was better to back off for now.

I could gather them secretly later.

"Then, please give me one helmet flower. The pain is too severe."

The helmet flower is known for its almost non-toxic properties. Its effect is pain relief. Eating it can alleviate pain within tens of minutes.

"Sure, a helmet flower..."

The healer, with a slightly relaxed expression, found the helmet flower and gave it to Ethan.

With the various herbs in hand, Ethan, despite his heavy body, headed for the magic research lab in the baron's family.

'Making potions is more effective than eating them raw, but I can't gather the materials alone.'

At least, the Wickers family was a baron's family.

'I need to ask my father.'

His father, the Baron Wickers, was busy with official duties but always thought about his son's health.

Assigning a dedicated healer and stocking the warehouse with various herbs were part of his efforts.

'With no improvement despite continuous treatment, he must be looking for other methods.'

If he asked for the materials he needed, it might not be a complete cure, but it would be possible to prolong his life.

'I need to find a way.'

"Let's eat first. I need to boost my stamina to do anything."

Currently, he found it difficult to eat meat. Chewing was a challenge.

'If I weren't from a noble family, I wouldn't even dream of soft meat. Tonight, I need to mix the herbs I have and make a medicinal lump.'

"Please eat, Master."

The servant prepared very soft meat.

"I don't need you to feed me. Please leave."

"It's the lord's order."

"It's fine. I need to do this as a form of exercise."

For him, eating was a form of exercise. If he relied on others, he would have no reason to move.

Ethan picked up the fork and started eating the meat.

Suddenly, he felt a choking sensation and started coughing, causing his body to shake.

"Ah."

He felt something was wrong.

Thump.

"Surely, just from coughing... Ugh!"

His stomach churned, and he spat out blood.

- Death is approaching!

- Death is approaching!

- Avoid death!

"What the hell, how am I supposed to avoid it?"

'Damn it. I can't die like this.'

Ethan sat on the bed to minimize his pain, slowly leaned back, and took deep breaths.

"Hmm."

While taking deep breaths, his breathing got tangled, and he started coughing.

"Cough!"

And that cough was decisive.

"Damn!"

With a curse, Ethan's body fell forward.

"Damn it..."

Without finding a proper solution, he was about to die. He wanted to click his tongue, but he didn't even have the strength to do that.

Then, a light appeared before his eyes.

'Am I dying?'

But something was different.

A glowing notification window appeared before Ethan's eyes.

"Huh?"

Ding!

-A special reward is activated.

-Clear reward! You have cleared Mazed Pangea more than ten times and are given a special reward.

-Subscription system opens.

-[New World] has opened!

-Subscribe to the gods you want with the open subscription system!

-The gods are waiting for your subscription!

-Collect likes to subscribe to the gods!

A familiar window appeared before Ethan's eyes.

"Subscription?"