Chapter 386

Chapter 386

Chapter 68: Growth and Accumulation (6)

When such things actually happened, I had no intention of just standing by and watching.

But a part of me wished those who caused all these headaches would get a taste of their own medicine, even if it were just once.

It seemed Squad Leader Yang Jochul felt the same way.

“Ha ha ha, I totally agree. I kind of want to pay them back in kind at least once.”

Yang Jochul laughed heartily, then let out a self-deprecating mutter with a drawn face.

“If something like that really happened, I would end up working overtime.”

He seemed like a public servant worn out by reality. I clicked my tongue lightly and asked.

“Let’s say you have no interest in politics, do you not have any intention to rise up the ranks? You could leave the actual work to the staff below.”

“The director wants me to take over, but I still don’t want to leave the field.”

In his early to mid-40s, he was still at an age to be active.

But with the national intelligence director backing him, an early career rise wasn’t impossible.

Especially in times of war like now, even more so.

If he had any intention, I could speak up in support, but it didn’t seem necessary.

‘If he has no intention, what can I say about it?’

Of course, I did feel a slight sense of debt, keeping my mouth shut completely.

So I tried to subtly gauge Squad Leader Yang Jochul’s intentions.

“From what you’re saying, it doesn’t seem like you’re planning to resign… Even after all those hardships, do you still cherish your homeland?”

I recalled the firm voice speaking of the safety of the nation and its people when I first met Squad Leader Yang Jochul.

Asked with that recollection, Yang Jochul just smiled softly.

It was an unspoken affirmation.

He must have seen all kinds of disgraceful behavior, especially in the political and business worlds, that I was unaware of.

Yet still, he cared.

‘Someone like him should be handling state affairs.’

It seemed there really was such a thing as a calling or destiny.

I smiled to myself and said, “Then later, tell the higher-ups to give the Biharin some support.”

If they claimed they wouldn’t do it for lack of money, it would be better to drag them by the collar if necessary.

“If it’s a help to Korea, it’s not going to do any harm.”

Preparations for the establishment of a new state to help the Biharin settle in had already begun.

Key figures, including Rashar and those from the Palao temple, had shown positive reactions.

We were also gathering opinions from influential Biharin in various countries.

Verbal contracts between the association and the Biharin had already been completed under the radar.

Once the war ended, negotiations would begin in earnest.

In preparation for that time, the Biharin would have to endeavor diligently in the remaining battles.

Only then would future negotiations be advantageous.

“With a new world map to be drawn, I’m telling you to lend a hand.”

“It seems a new nation is going to be born.”

I answered with a smile this time.

And then I briefly pointed out the advantages Korea could gain in the future.

“Indeed… If that’s really possible, the influence of Elemental Mages can’t be ignored.”

Squad Leader Yang Jochul seemed to be lost in thought, understanding the situation.

And after the car stopped and started twice at the signal, he spoke.

“Won’t they become a threat in the future?”

I quickly understood what Squad Leader Yang Jochul was worried about.

He was worried the country the Biharin formed could cause worldwide turmoil in the future.

‘Put bluntly, he’s asking if their mana won’t become a threat to us.’

There was concern about whether it was okay to let powerful beings gather together.

It’s not an unreasonable thought.

If mages or powerful people scattered across the land joined into one affiliation, their presence couldn’t be ignored.

Didn’t the supremacy of mages often run rampant in Bihar?

If you’re an ordinary person with no power to oppose them, you’d be even more worried.

Yang Jochul seemed opposed to the Biharin gaining too much power on Earth.

“Supporting the establishment of the country now wouldn’t be a problem.”

However, one couldn’t overlook long-term diplomatic relations.

“Rather than letting them gather, it might be better for them to live scattered as minorities in various countries.”

There’s logic to that. Certainly, some would try to obstruct the nation’s establishment by touching on such matters.

But those are concerns only of the uninformed.

I clearly explained to Squad Leader Yang Jochul about the issue he was worried about.

“Even if the Biharin pass on through generations, no one will be born with mana.”

“What?”

Originally, on Earth, no life forms are born with an abnormal amount of mana.

That’s a characteristic of a dimension called Earth.

Causality governing this dimension has decided it will be that way.

Therefore, children born to the Biharin who settle on Earth will also follow the same rules.

Causality will not allow exceptions to those rules.

‘I’ve already confirmed it with Damned System.’

Unlike beings coming from outside, those born and raised on Earth will fall under this dimension’s causality.

So even after one or two generations, the power of mana that the Biharin possess would fade away.

‘If they want to maintain national power then, the Biharin will have to work rigorously.’

They need to secure other techniques apart from mana and strive to belong to Earth.

If they plan to trample others with their power, they won’t fare well.

If such issues arise, I’m not going to compromise or forgive them.

“Player powers will be maintained for about a generation, so Biharin should suffice in watching them.”

Squad Leader Yang Jochul looked like he wanted to ask how I knew all this.

But he ultimately didn’t ask, and I didn’t bother to explain.

Just as our discussion on the Biharin concluded, a signal came from the System.

《System Message》

Kang Hyunwoo, a Hole has begun to form.

It was unwelcome news arriving sooner than expected.

Despite being annoying enough to make me sigh, I wasn’t greatly swayed as I had known it would happen.

‘Good thing I sped up the 5th Promotion Test.’

I caught my breath briefly and asked.

“Expected time?”

Though muttering suddenly to myself might’ve seemed odd, Squad Leader Yang Jochul simply watched without remark.

Thanks to that, I wasn’t hindered in my conversation with the Damned System.

《System Message》

The exact time cannot be measured, but it is expected to be between 2 and 7 days.

It meant the war could resume as early as tomorrow or the day after.

“Then, we’ll just have to wait.”

I swallowed a sigh and seriously pondered.

What would I regret the most if I was to Die in the next battle?

The conclusion was simpler than I thought.

Just then, the vehicle stopped.

Before getting out, I turned to Squad Leader Yang Jochul and said.

“Spend today with your family, at least.”

“Oh…”

That should have been warning enough that the war would soon resume.

“Thank you for the ride.”

Leaving Squad Leader Yang Jochul, who was slightly frozen, I headed home.

To spend the remaining short moment of peace with those dear to me.

* * *

From the moment I opened my eyes in the morning, the day was a complete mess.

Dark clouds heavily covered the sky, and it was dreary.

Just when I left home to meet friends for the weekend, it started to rain.

The small umbrella I tucked into my bag was broken and wouldn’t open properly.

In a rush to avoid the rain, I bumped into a stranger, and the impact caused my wireless earphones to fall out.

Plunk, plunk, roll.

The earphones bounced off the sidewalk and rolled far away, disappearing into a storm drain.

“Ah!”

Everything was a mess, indeed.

‘I should’ve just said I couldn’t go.’

Had I caused this mess by not refusing my friends’ suggestion to hang out since the war had ended?

‘Should I just go back…’

Regretting going out all day due to some streaks of bad luck, I considered turning back.

But the idea of contacting them on the day itself to cancel wasn’t appealing either.

Ultimately, the woman took out her smartphone.

To send a message to her friends.

Saying she’d be late because of the rain.

It was a short message, not too long.

But before she could finish typing it, the surroundings became chaotic.

“What, what is that…”

“Why is it…?”

“No! It can’t be!”

“Damn it, it’s opening again…!”

Suddenly more people stopped and looked up at the sky, murmuring to themselves.

The woman, too, followed them and looked up at the sky.

“Gasp!”

She discovered that the number in the sky, which had stubbornly remained at zero for weeks, had changed.

With trembling eyes, she murmured as she fixed her gaze on the sky.

“No… it can’t be…”

Wasn’t the war supposed to be over?

People across the street celebrated the end of the war just weeks ago.

They said humanity was free from the threat of the alien species’ invasion, and now it was just a matter of dealing with the annoying players.

That’s what everyone said in communities all around.

So, there was no way a Hole could open again.

‘No.’

She had indeed watched Player Association President Lily Evans’ last press conference.

She just didn’t want to believe it.

Hoping the Hole wouldn’t open again.

Selecting only what she wanted to hear and listening to those who would provide reassuring news, ignoring unwelcomed rumors.

She desperately wanted to live peacefully again.

The mere thought of being helpless, wishing only for players to save her, felt too pitiful.

Hoping to return to how things were.

Putting up every excuse and reason not to listen to what needed hearing, avoiding rather than accepting fear.

But just because she ignored it didn’t mean the reality she faced would go away.

Even as she stood solidified, the numbers dominating the sky steadily increased.

4, 9, 11, and then 13.

As soon as the numbers in the sky stopped at 13, seoul’s skies were painted black.

An enlarged version of the acute Hole she had seen by chance in the past.

“No, no!”

“Why here, of all places?!”

“R-run!”

The moment people realized, they reacted in various states of panic.

Beep Beep Beep!

The city sirens, installed since the alien invasion began, started blaring noisily.

The smartphone the woman was holding also buzzed and beeped loudly.

An emergency alert message had arrived.

With trembling hands, she managed to check the message.

It contained instructions to evacuate and a link to a website guiding the nearest shelters.

It wasn’t just her.

Everyone around capable of making rational judgments, too, glanced at their smartphones, checking the location of shelters.

And as soon as they confirmed the nearest shelter from their location…

“Move!”

“Don’t block the way!”

They all ran, pale-faced, with no exception.

At that moment, a roar loud enough to cover the blaring sirens was heard.

“Kiieeeek!”

A monstrous cry that had frequently echoed worldwide over the last year or so.

‘A monster has already crossed over!’

Given the urgent creation of the Hole, it made sense it erupted immediately.

And at that moment, thud, thud!

Monsters, falling like rain from the sky, blocked people’s paths.

“KYAAAH!”

“Aaah!”

Monsters that seemed to be crudely assembled from rocks.

Despite having fallen from such a great height, they seemed entirely unaffected by the impact of their descent.

“KUOOR!”

Thus, they roared, standing on the overturned asphalt road, appearing ready to lift their massive hands.

The woman thought, watching the massive hand larger than a motorcycle descend over her head.

‘I’m dead now.’

Just then, paralyzed, unable to move, a massive fireball engulfed the monster.

The fierce flames spread in all directions.

The star above the monster’s head numbered six.

It was a strong entity that couldn’t be affected by simple 2nd or 3rd-rank elemental magic.

But just because magic didn’t affect it didn’t mean it could ignore the physical force resulting from magic.

The impact from the exploding fireball caused the rock monster to lose balance and stumble.

During the startling silence that followed, amidst chaotic noise, a strong voice mixed in.

“Shatter the rock on those bastards first! Once that’s removed, it’ll be easier to hunt!”

“Anyone got a hammer?!”

“Tanker, go headbutt it or something!”

“Are you insane?!”

The players had arrived. Damned System.

New Elements and Characters:

– 양조철 단장 = Squad Leader Yang Jochul (he)

– 비하르인 = Biharin(they)

– 강현우 = Kang Hyunwoo (he)

– 라샤르 = Rashar (na)

– 릴리 에반스 = Lily Evans (she)