Ascension Through Skills C.236: Fourth Return, Earth (3)

“So what are you going to do?”

“Let’s keep quiet for now.”

Upon hearing Seo Jangsan’s words, Kim Hwiyeon responded, her brow furrowed in thought.

She had seen this coming. The next quest involved safeguarding those journeying to Seoul from various regions. She had already sketched out a preliminary plan.

“First… we’re going to protect them.”

At this, everyone in the meeting nodded in agreement.

The essence of the quest was to safeguard those arriving in Seoul. It wasn’t about passively waiting but about actively venturing out to rescue them.

“But we don’t have enough people for all the places we need to cover.”

That was precisely the issue at hand.

Their numbers were insufficient to safeguard every designated region. Allocating the workforce without increasing risk was proving to be a significant challenge.

“Which regions were they again?”

“Gwangju, Daegu, Busan, Gangwon Province’s Wonju, Daejeon, Jeju. Those six places.”

“That’s quite a lot to handle.”

“How are we going to distribute our forces?”

After a moment of contemplation, eyes closed, Kim Hwiyeon spoke up.

“We’ve decided to assign the city hall to the Easy and Normal Mode players.”

“Before, I wasn’t sure… but now, with Taesan’s support, they should be able to hold their ground.”

The group concurred. Within the territory under Taesan’s control, even Normal Mode players could fend off monsters with relative ease.

Thus, only the Hard and Solo Mode players would be dispatched.

“First, me, Seo Jangsan, Geum Junggeun, and half of the Hard Mode players will head to Daejeon.”

This plan was met with unanimous agreement. The real challenge would commence with the appearance of a class D monster, marking the true onset of the quest.

And Kim Hwiyeon’s strategy was sound. Hard Mode players had been dispatched sporadically, resulting in many unnecessary casualties.

“Then, half of the remaining Hard Mode players will accompany Lee Taeyeon to Wonju, and the rest will follow Kang Junhyuk to Gwangju. Does that sound acceptable?”

“Yes.”

Lee Taeyeon and Kang Junhyuk nodded calmly. With each return, the gap between the Hard Mode players and these two grew, and now even dozens attacking together couldn’t match them.

The two of them wouldn’t easily be pushed back, even if a class C monster appeared. It was a fitting personnel decision.

“Then the remaining areas are three…”

Daegu, Busan, and Jeju Island.

These were the places farthest away. Silence fell, and all eyes focused on one spot.

Taesan spoke.

“I’ll take care of the remaining three places.”

“…Is it really possible?”

“No problem.”

A mix of awe and respect echoed in the response. Kim Hwiyeon looked at Taesan with an apologetic face. f𝐫eewe𝚋nove𝗹.𝗰o𝚖

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

And then they departed.

Since the quest had started, there was no time to delay. Those who were ready steeled their hearts and stepped outside the area. Right before Kim Hwiyeon left, she asked Taesan.

“Where are you going, Mr. Taesan?”

“Busan.”

“Busan…”

A hint of worry appeared on Kim Hwiyeon’s face.

“Isn’t it too far? I heard that the situation in Busan is quite dangerous.”

Most of the Hard Mode players had died. She heard that the last return ended with only the majority of Normal and Easy Mode players surviving.

“Is there going to be a problem?”

“…No. It was a needless question.”

Upon Taesan’s response, Kim Hwiyeon backed off, understanding.

“Then I’ll go ahead.”

“Brother, see you alive later.”

“Managing people is a bit…”

“It’s a good experience too.”

They dispersed one by one.

Taesan opened his mouth.

“Barkaza, you know what to do, right?”

[Sigh. I don't like being away from my master, but if it's an order, there's no helping it. Just give me the location. I'll finish it perfectly and come back.]

Taesan flicked Barkaza’s head. Having received the information, Barkaza soared off.

Whoosh.

Barkaza flew away.

Taesan then turned his gaze to Minerva.

“Got it. It’ll be a bit troublesome, but it’s your command. See you later.”

Minerva grinned and disappeared into the wind.

Taesan, left alone, also moved forward.

“Busan, huh?”

It was practically the edge of the world from Seoul.

“Should take about thirty minutes.”

“Eek!”

A man, his face marred with scars, desperately swung his weapon.

“Aaaah!”

With a scream, he parried the monster’s attack and drove his weapon deep. The monster writhed and then collapsed.

In its place, another monster appeared.

Gurgling.

“Aaaagh!”

Screams echoed all around.

The man saw one familiar face after another fall, his expression hardening.

“The damn bastards!”

He roughly opened his inventory and hurled a potion. The potion shattered on the monster, releasing its power.

Crackling!

Frost formed.

The monsters’ bodies froze, their movements slowing.

But as if it was no big deal, the monster started moving again.

The man gritted his teeth. The item he had bought with high hopes had barely any effect.

“Everyone! How are you holding up?”

“Not good!”

A man with a sincere look shouted through his injuries. The number of monsters outnumbered them. As the people were gradually pushed back, the injured man clenched his teeth.

“…Break through, everyone!”

He aggressively advanced towards the group of monsters, and the people desperately followed him.

“Aaaah!”

They barely broke through the monsters.

The man, covered in wounds, caught his breath and asked.

“How many survived?”

“Almost all Easy Mode players died, about half of Normal, and a significant number of Hard Mode players as well.”

“Damn it.”

The scarred man grimaced.

The quest was unavoidable. They started moving from Daegu to Seoul.

And they encountered numerous monsters.

Each one was as challenging as Hard Mode, and there were over a hundred of them. The sight was more daunting than they had prepared for. They managed to push through, but there was still a long way to go.

“Bro, this…”

“Calm down.”

The man calmed the anxious people.

“You saw the quest details. People are going to come from Seoul.”

“Do you really think that’s possible?”

The man with a sincere appearance spoke up, and the other man fell silent.

There were too many monsters. It seemed impossible that anyone could come from Seoul.

“There’s no reason to come through this dangerous path.”

“…They will come. You’ve heard about Solo Mode too.”

“But is that… really true?”

Doubt was apparent in their eyes, and the man had no answer.

He was a Hard Mode player, a strong leader among Daegu’s players.

Thus, he had heard many stories about Taesan and other Hard Mode players from Seoul, including Kim Hwiyeon and Geum Junggeun.

A monstrously strong human. An entity that had granted a new power called black magic to everyone in Seoul.

He was also told that the other two in Solo Mode were very strong.

However, the man was skeptical even while listening to the stories.

A Solo Mode player was by his side right now, but his power was not that impressive. At best, it was just below Hard Mode level.

He didn’t believe the power differences within the Modes could be that significant.

Moreover, he had never seen Taesan in person and had only heard stories.

Fists flying that sent people soaring, leaps that created craters on the ground.

‘Probably just exaggerated.’

They were desperate and needed something to believe in. He thought the existence of Taesan was created for that purpose.

While not weak, he estimated it to be about three to four times the level of Hard Mode.

“…Anyway, we have to go to Seoul. Everyone, get ready.”

The people clenched their teeth and got up.

They slowly advanced. Monsters appeared again.

The number made everyone’s faces turn pale.

“This, this is crazy.”

Hundreds of monsters blocked their path.

“Run…”

The man who was turning around to shout quickly shut his mouth.

There were dozens of monsters behind them too.

Realizing their situation, they were surrounded by monsters.

The sincere-looking man spoke blankly.

“It’s over.”

“I’m sorry, kids.”

The scarred man shook his head.

“No, it can’t be helped. You did well, brother.”

“We’ve survived for quite some time. That’s enough to die satisfied.”

“Mom, I’m coming to meet you.”

“We have to kill at least one more before we go.”

They calmly accepted their fate. The scarred man gripped his weapon with fierce determination.

“Let’s kill at least one more on our way out!”

“Yes!”

As they made their resolute decision and charged forward,

Whoosh!

With a loud noise, something fell in front of them.

“Woah, woah!”

“What is that!”

The charging group was startled and stopped. As the dust settled, the figure that made the noise appeared.

[I've arrived. These pests have been annoying.]

A languid voice sounded. The man’s pupils dilated. Someone shouted.

“It’s a monster!”

A green golem appeared. The man reflexively slashed with his sword.

Clang!

[0 damage to Barkaza.]

“What?”

[Stop this nuisance. I'm not your enemy.]

Barkaza clapped his hands. A barrier formed around them.

Clang!

[I came to protect you as per my master's orders.]

“Your, your master?”

Since there was no sign of harm from him, the man lowered his sword.

[Yes. My master. Someone named Kang Taesan asked me to protect you while you travel to a place called Seoul.]

Kang Taesan.

At that name, the man’s eyes wavered. Seeing his reaction, Barkaza turned around.

[Seems you know him. That'll make things less annoying.]

“…Are you his subordinate…?”

[Think what you will.]

“That’s fascinating. Even monsters serve him as subordinates.”

The calm man muttered. It was indeed fascinating, but it made sense for Solo Mode. He thought taming a monster wasn’t strange for that Mode.

Those who had been rushing to protect their leader also paused as the conversation unfolded behind them.

The man spoke calmly.

“Then where is your master?”

Seeing such a monster tamed, he was sure the master must be much stronger than he had imagined. He thought if his master were here, at least half of them could survive.

However, Barkaza disappointed him.

[He didn't come.]

“What?”

[I'm here alone. I alone am enough.]

“What does that mean…”

The man hesitated to speak further.

Clang!

He hadn’t noticed, but the monster was continuously pounding on the golem’s created barrier.

And yet, the barrier showed not even the slightest crack.

[Let's wrap this up quickly.]

Barkaza clapped his hands.

A rainbow of lights poured out.

People screamed and closed their eyes.

A loud noise and the sound of the earth crumbling filled the air.

When they opened their eyes, everything around them had been flattened.

“Aaaaaah!”

A woman in her mid-twenties, beautiful despite her agony, was tearing at her hair by the sea.

“Damn this quest! Can’t they give us something reasonable?”

She laughed helplessly.

Dozens of people behind her sat down just as helplessly.

“There’s no consideration at all. Consideration…”

The woman sat down.

Her name was Lee Hye-yeon. She prided herself on being a competent career woman.

She had come to Jeju Island for a change of scenery after finishing a long project, ready to enjoy a pleasant trip.

Just as she was about to enjoy her vacation, the world started to fall apart.

She had entered Hard Mode.

And upon her return to Earth, she had returned to her original location in Jeju.

It was an island separated from the mainland where 670,000 people lived.

With fewer overall numbers, the strong ones were also few. It was a blessing in disguise that there were relatively more Hard Mode players.

However, the continuously emerging monsters gradually reduced their numbers, and by the third return, only a few hundred remained.

The next return was almost certain to be total annihilation.

Thus, Lee Hye-yeon believed. She held onto the belief that next time, they could make it to Seoul. That somehow, a means of transportation would present itself.

But that wasn’t the case.

“How can this be…”

To reach Seoul, they had to cross the sea.

She shook her head.

It seemed an impossible task. The planes were all destroyed, and even if they weren’t, there was no one to fly them. A few small fishing boats remained, but they were insignificant.

Rumbling.

The sea beyond was violently churning.

Monsters lurked in the ocean too. Attempting to cross by boat would simply feed them to the fish.

“Kids, it seems like this is it…”

“I don’t want to die, Sis…”

“Me neither. I want to live…”

They embraced each other and wept. The monsters were slowly closing in on them.

And then, a breeze stirred.

“Hello?”

A beautiful woman with blue hair appeared. Lee Hye-yeon, who had been sobbing bitterly, recoiled in shock.

“Who are you?”

“If I say I’m a spirit, would you understand?”

“…A spirit?”

“Yes. My master sent me to bring you to Seoul.”

“Master… Seoul… Could it be Kang Taesan?”

At Lee Hye-yeon’s murmur, Minerva showed a flicker of interest.

“You catch on quick? Perhaps you do have the skills to survive?”

“No…”

A mysterious being offered their help. And it claimed to be a spirit.

Though not entirely certain, there was only one being known to wield such power. Minerva spoke with a cheerful tone.

“So relax, little ones. I will ensure your safe passage across.”

“But…”

They gazed out over the sea.

The monster deep within was stirring. Attempting to cross would mean their doom.

But for Minerva, this posed no issue.

“Let’s clear those out first.”

Minerva waved her hand, and the wind transformed into blades that soared through the air.

All the approaching monsters were sliced into pieces.

“…What?”

“If there’s no path, we’ll create one.”

Minerva hummed as she stepped into the sea.

Then, the surface split apart.

The sea began to part.

“Let’s tidy up the nuisances.”

Minerva rolled her foot. The power spreading through the earth burst the sea monsters apart.

“Uh…”

“…”

The people stared, dumbfounded, at the miracle before them.

On the path that had appeared through the sea, Minerva gestured.

“Come quickly.”