Ascension Through Skills C.238: Fourth Return, Earth (5)

What the High Gods aimed for was simple.

They couldn’t kill Taesan directly. To dispatch a monster capable of killing him, they would have needed to amass a considerable amount of power.

Moreover, contracts among the gods introduced complications, making it not an easy decision.

Thus, their strategy was to target someone other than Taesan.

The current attack seemed to embody that strategy precisely.

A monster’s attack, launched from afar, with many attacks scattered in every direction.

“It’s not a bad method.”

Taesan wasn’t particularly skilled at long-range attacks. Although he could launch attacks up to 10KM away with his bow and magic, this was something the High Gods had anticipated.

Should he choose to attack at that range with arrows or magic, they would surely have a counter ready.

Of course, he could deal with it. Using abilities like Apostle Transformation, King’s Vessel, Black, and so on—revealing his cards one by one could have decimated them.

But that was precisely what the High Gods were counting on.

So, he opted to use a power that was less costly.

Whooom.

A starlight arrow gathered above Taesan’s hand.

It was an intermediate spell bestowed upon him by Zelbando, the god of magic.

Choi Taeman, standing nearby, turned pale. He wasn’t alone; others felt similarly overwhelmed.

“Gasp.”

“Huff, huff.”

They gasped for breath, shrinking back in their places.

‘That’s…’

Though it was merely manifested, the overwhelming pressure surged forth. Even as only a fragment of power, they instinctively knew it was a force beyond their approach.

‘Was it no exaggeration?’

Choi Taeman inwardly gasped in shock, while Taesan focused his mind.

He expanded his senses, pinpointing the locations of the monsters firing spheres from 10KM away.

He stored each location in his mind. He detected a monster crawling deep beneath his feet. He read every variable in his surroundings.

Then, the arrow was fired high into the sky. The power, imbued with starlight, ascended into the lofty heavens.

“Scatter.”

The arrow exploded like a firework.

Scattered arrows, like meteors, began to pierce down towards the monsters.

Simultaneously, the earth shattered, revealing a monster shaped like a shield. It enveloped the sphere-firing monster, forming a massive barrier.

It appeared to be a monster specialized in blocking long-range attacks. Its power was likely A-grade, capable of easily blocking something like Taesan’s bow and frost arrows.

‘As expected, they were prepared.’

The scattered starlight collided with the monster’s barrier.

And the starlight shattered the barrier.

Focused solely on defense, the A-grade monster’s power was crushed like styrofoam. The impaled starlight then exploded.

Boom!

Debris flew in all directions with the explosion.

“What, what is this?”

Overwhelmed by the missile-like force, Choi Taeman was at a loss for words. Taesan smiled in satisfaction.

“Not bad.”

The monsters disappeared without a trace. The monster that appeared behind, specialized as it was in defense, wasn’t low on stamina, yet it was taken down in one strike.

[Intermediate Magic: Starlight Arrow]

[Proficiency: 1%]

[Mana Consumption: 40]

[Implements an arrow imbued with the power of the stars. The arrow can split into multiple paths, but its power diminishes with each division.]

If the Frozen World was a spell for close combat against multiple enemies, then the Starlight Arrow was for long-range sniping.

If the arrow was not split, it could maintain its power even over tens of kilometers.

Moreover, Taesan could control its speed. This was his first use, so he handled it slowly, but if he wished, he could shoot it at a speed that even skilled players could not react to.

Its value was not insignificant even in the limited space of the labyrinth, but outside, its value was even greater. It greatly compensated for Taesan’s lack of long-range combat capabilities.

“Let’s keep going.”

Taesan said.

People nodded blankly.

“The stories were actually understated.”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“About your strength,”

Choi Taeman smirked.

“He’s literally a monster.”

Monsters continued to appear after that.

They tried to kill Taesan and the survivors in various ways, each wielding different powers.

And Taesan effortlessly defeated them all.

The power Taesan displayed in the process was truly miraculous.

It turned out that the rumors he had heard were actually understated.

“You thought I was fake?”

“Most did. Not just me, those who hadn’t met you believed your power was exaggerated.”

He glanced at the others briefly.

“But it wasn’t. I see why they worship you now.”

Just like in Seoul, people in Busan showed respect and reverence towards Taesan.

“This could cause problems…”

Choi Taeman frowned.

Knowing what he meant, Taesan replied,

“It won’t.”

They continued on.

Monsters still appeared, but now finding a different way wasn’t particularly unusual. After dealing with everything and moving forward, they arrived in Seoul.

“Wow!”

“We, we survived!”

People hugged each other, tears of relief streaming down their faces. They expressed their gratitude to Taesan.

“Thank you! Thank you!”

Taesan nodded and went inside.

Inside, there was nobody except the Easy and Normal players guarding Seoul. It meant that Taesan, who had left Busan, was the first to arrive.

As expected. The fewer the numbers, the longer the distance they could travel. Barkaza’s group was slower relative to Busan because they were more numerous.

Kim Hwiyeon, Lee Taeyeon, and Kang Junhyeok were no different.

Moreover, they were not as strong as Taesan, so it took them longer to deal with the monsters. Minerva, who had to cross the sea, was inevitably slower.

“Rest until the other groups arrive.”

The next quest would proceed when everyone gathered.

After sending people into the city hall, Taesan went back outside.

Kim Hwiyeon swiftly moved toward them. Soon, their movements were visible.

“Eeek!”

They were desperately pushing back the monsters.

“It’s okay.”

The monsters’ strength was top-tier, even among D-class. Despite the challenge, they were managing to handle them one by one.

Taesan did not go to help. If it had been a critical situation, perhaps, but if they could overcome it themselves, there was no reason to intervene. Experience was of paramount importance.

Taesan continued on his way.

He also encountered the groups led by Lee Taeyeon and Kang Junhyeok, but they too seemed to have no major problems.

‘It looks like they’ve managed well.’

From their disheveled appearance, it seemed they had encountered C-class monsters but had still emerged victorious. With their strength, it was certainly feasible.

‘Barkaza and Minerva are also fine.’

Then all there was to do was wait.

Taesan returned to Seoul. There, people from Busan, including Choi Taeman, were wandering around with dumbfounded expressions.

“This place…”

Was too intact.

Most buildings were damaged but still structurally sound. In Busan, even the foundations had been destroyed.

The faces of the people were bright. All they showed was the hope of surviving and a future to strive for.

Correspondingly, many had survived. Unlike Busan, where only a handful could be counted, here there were tens of thousands.

‘And then.’

Choi Taeman clenched his fist.

His strength had significantly increased because he had received support from the domain Taesan had spread as they entered Seoul.

“Ha.”

He chuckled bitterly.

It was both astonishing and sad that a single person could make such a difference.

The people of Seoul welcomed those from Busan. While people of the same difficulty level could meet each other, meeting on Earth felt different.

Those who encountered family and acquaintances rejoiced and shared stories.

And the more they talked, the more they realized the differences between Seoul and Busan.

The people of Seoul believed that if Taesan had not been present, their fate might have mirrored the grim outcomes they had seen elsewhere.

The residents of Busan, having arrived in Seoul, now harbored hope for a future that seemed attainable.

As a result, their belief in Taesan grew stronger. The effectiveness of his divine powers had noticeably improved, now exceeding 30%.

Time passed.

Slowly, a crowd began to form.

The last to arrive was the group led by Kim Hwiyeon. Given the sheer number of people and the time required to deal with each monster, their arrival was inevitably delayed.

Eventually, everyone was gathered.

“Alright. Let’s start the meeting,”

Kim Hwiyeon announced.

Nearly ten individuals were crammed into a small meeting room. Most of them had held leadership roles, overseeing players from various regions.

Kim Hwiyeon surveyed them with a mixed expression.

“I’d like to say it’s nice to meet you all… but I recognize all of your faces,”

Choi Taeman said with a smirk.

Being a regional leader meant being a Hard Mode player, and notably a strong one at that.

Kim Hwiyeon, Kim Junggeun, and the others were undoubtedly familiar with each other. Kim Hwiyeon tapped the table lightly.

“There’s much I want to discuss, and I’m sure you’re all eager…

Their gazes were fixed on Taesan, and beside him, Minerva and Barkaza.

Admiration, inquiries, curiosity, reverence.

And a hint of rivalry.

[Master.]

‘Wait.’

Taesan replied to the voice resonating in his mind.

“Let’s set aside the questions for now, and first, let’s get organized.”

Kim Hwiyeon inquired earnestly.

“How many of you survived?”

It was crucial to first determine the number of survivors and those added from each mode.

Choi Taeman was the first to respond.

“Busan. Ten Solo Mode players. Twelve Hard Mode players. Fifty-seven Normal Mode players. One hundred two Easy Mode players. A total of one hundred eighty-one survivors.”

A somber silence fell over the room at the grim tally.

Out of approximately 3.5 million residents of Busan, only about one hundred eighty had survived. Choi Taeman spoke somberly.

“You can blame me. It’s because I couldn’t save them.”

“No, it was beyond your control.”

Everyone knew about the situation in Busan. Next, the leader from Jeju Island spoke.

“Jeju Island. Three Solo Mode players. Twenty Hard Mode players. Thirty Normal Mode players. One hundred Easy Mode players.”

“Gwangju. Eight hundred thirty Hard Mode players. Two thousand five hundred twenty Normal Mode players. Five thousand three hundred Easy Mode players.”

Each location started to report. Daejeon had the highest number of survivors. There, eleven hundred fifty Hard Mode players, three thousand Normal Mode players, and six thousand two Easy Mode players had survived.

Pride was evident on the man’s face as he reported the survival numbers. He had saved many under his command, which was indeed something to be proud of.

He glanced briefly at Taesan.

His look carried a challenge, a slight hostility, and wariness.

‘It’s been a while.’

A world where everyone laughed and cooperated did not exist. People naturally opposed and fought each other.

Choi Junghyuk was a prime example.

He fomented discord and killed many for his own survival.

Yet, he had a clear purpose—his will to survive. Although his methods were questionable, the intent itself was not problematic. Thus, while Taesan had dealt with Choi Junghyuk, he understood his motives.

Seo Jangsan was similar. He oppressed Easy and Normal Mode players for rational survival. His methods led to poor outcomes, but in a crumbling world, his choices were understandable.

But the man in front of him. The leader from Daejeon.

Taesan could never fully understand this man.

The one he remembered as having met the most foolish end.

That was how Taesan remembered him.

It was Kim Hwiyeon’s turn to speak.

She began,

“Solo Mode players, one hundred fifty-two. Hard Mode players, five thousand seven hundred twenty-two. Normal Mode players: 25,880. Easy Mode players: 22,170. In total, 48,525 survived.”

For reasons different from those in Busan, people were at a loss for words.