[A Rift is erupting.]
[Various calamities can be collected from the Rift eruption.]
[Topple calamities and dominate them. The calamities you dominate will become loyal subordinates, reinforcing your base.]
[The eruption will end in 6 hours.]
The second eruption of the Rift had begun.
Unlike the first one, this eruption came with a timely system in place, and appropriate responses followed.
Awakened Ones were assigned to squads based on their residence and personal power. They were assigned to various regions, while soldier-affiliated Awakened Ones took positions on rooftops with heavy weapons.
“Haa.”
Han Tae-geon had also become an Awakened One during this event and had been summoned by the government.
The region assigned to Han Tae-geon’s squad wasn’t very large, nor were there any strong calamities. Most of them were 1-Star Crystal Shards.
“I need a stronger one.”
Han Tae-geon frowned as he looked at his calamity, a 1-Star Rock Cleaner.
He had heard that the Awakened One Management Bureau would soon introduce a ranking system—A-Rank Hunter, S-Rank Hunter, and so on.
At his current level, Han Tae-geon could only command 1-Star calamities. At best, he might qualify for a C-Rank, and if generously assessed, a B-Rank.
Han Tae-geon was an ambitious man. He had planned to catch at least a 2-Star calamity during this eruption and flaunt his success. However, at this rate, he would end up as nothing more than a rug.
“…That guy can control a 2-Star calamity.”
This urgency made Han Tae-geon feel inferior to another Awakened One in his squad.
Nam Joo-yeon, was it?
At first, Han Tae-geon had scoffed at him. He seemed frail, someone who had never truly exerted himself, and it was clear he had become an Awakened One by sheer luck.
But as soon as the eruption began, it turned out that Nam Joo-yeon was the one truly shining.
[2★ Stardust Golem is swinging its fists.]
Bang!
Despite his seemingly clueless demeanor, this man possessed a 2-Star calamity.
[2★ Stardust Golem has defeated the 1★ Broken Crystal Spider!]
[Reward: 1Exp]
Nam Joo-yeon’s golem demonstrated overwhelming power compared to Han Tae-geon’s calamities, quickly racking up achievements.
At first, other Awakened Ones had looked down on him, but once they saw him controlling a 2-Star calamity, they quickly groveled and flocked around him.
“Mr. Nam Joo-yeon, wow, that 2-Star calamity is really powerful. I envy you. How did you manage to get it?”
“Uh… well… I synthesized it, and luckily got this.”
“…”
Nam Joo-yeon’s act of flaunting his good luck with the synthesized 2-Star calamity was ridiculous.
Soon, envy turned into hatred.
“Hmm… if I hit him from behind, wouldn’t that golem become mine?”
Recently, he had overheard some nasty people talking.
They mentioned that killing another Awakened One was treated as part of this world’s system.
In an altercation between two Awakened Ones, when one had fallen, the victor gained their calamities and experience.
This was referred to as “PK.”
If he killed this young man, Han Tae-geon could obtain a 2-Star calamity.
“…Is this doable?”
It wasn’t a difficult task. Han Tae-geon was bulky in stature, while Nam Joo-yeon was not very large in build. Although the 2-Star calamity was intimidating, Han Tae-geon thought he could seize an opening and knock the boy unconscious with a brick.
To ensure there were no witnesses, they needed to be separated.
With an insincere, benevolent smile, Han Tae-geon approached Nam Joo-yeon.
“Mr. Joo-yeon, it seems there are calamities over that alley. Shall we go?”
“…Uh, the other squad members…”
“They’ve gone to handle the calamities on the main road. Besides, there are soldiers there, so it’s not dangerous. Come on.”
Convinced by Han Tae-geon’s reasoning, Nam Joo-yeon reluctantly nodded.
While leading Nam Joo-yeon down the alley, Han Tae-geon licked his lips in anticipation.
“Are there calamities here?”
“Yes. I checked a while ago. Beyond that corner, they said.”
“…”
Nam Joo-yeon appeared more cautious than he seemed.
To persuade the hesitating young man, Han Tae-geon began to walk briskly ahead, turning the corner.
Just then, he picked up a brick lying at the corner of the alley and shouted loudly.
“Aaah! Here! There are calamities here! Help!”
“Mr. Han Tae-geon?!”
Han Tae-geon heard the sound of Nam Joo-yeon rushing towards him.
He raised his hands high with a grin, ready to strike Nam Joo-yeon’s head the moment he appeared.
Eventually, Nam Joo-yeon showed up. However, for some reason, Han Tae-geon’s arms wouldn’t move. To be precise, they felt completely numb.
“Wha…?”
Han Tae-geon then realized the intense heat radiating from below his elbows. Looking down, he saw his amputated arms lying neatly on the ground.
“…Hyh, hyehu. B, Blood…”
Han Tae-geon staggered back in shock.
It was a mistake. Suddenly, he felt something solid touch his back, but it wasn’t a wall.
[4★ Storm Dragon Tempestra is watching you.]
There, in the alley, stood a massive dragon resembling a wyvern that filled the entire space.
“…W, Wha… since when…?”
Han Tae-geon couldn’t comprehend what was happening in front of him.
And he didn’t need to.
[4★ Storm Dragon Tempestra is tearing apart.]
The massive wyvern-like dragon tore through Han Tae-geon’s upper body. The armless man couldn’t offer any resistance as his body was torn in half, ending his life instantly.
*
Crunch!
An unknown Awakened One became a corpse, leaving only his lower half.
I didn’t feel particularly saddened by his demise. Though he had seemed suspicious, he had been waiting for me around the corner with a brick in hand.
He must have coveted my calamity.
They say physiognomy is a science—he truly deserved his fate.
However, that wasn’t the current problem.
[4★ Storm Dragon Tempestra is watching you.]
Storm Dragon Tempestra.
4-Star calamity with Celestial properties.
Unlike the mistreated Hellfire Guardian, it was known for high performance and was categorized as a superb lightning calamity.
“Tch.”
I hastily stepped back in alarm.
What was it doing here?
Even during this eruption, a 4-Star calamity had emerged, which was unexpected.
I quickly tried to switch my summoned calamity from Stardust Golem to Hellfire Guardian to face it.
[4★ Storm Dragon Tempestra is retreating.]
However, Tempestra didn’t display enmity towards me. Instead, it slowly backed away, and then leaped into the sky, flying off towards the distant Yoido Tower.
“Are you all right?”
Selene, hidden behind a veil, had quietly moved beside me.
I gestured to the corpse of the man who only retained his lower half and asked,
“…Selene, was that your doing?”
“No. I only severed his arms. Since you previously advised me to avoid killing, I followed your words.”
“Then this storm dragon…?”
“It’s not something I summoned.”
“Did it run away because it was scared of you?”
“No, I merely observed the situation. It seems the dragon had a full belly and was satisfied after eating.”
Selene said something implausible.
How could such a massive wyvern be satisfied with just tearing off a single torso and leave?
I narrowed my eyes and stared at Selene. When our eyes met, she seemed uneasy, clamping her mouth shut. Her cheeks puffing up cutely, but I ignored it and said,
“Selene, is this Mirien’s doing?”
“…”
“Answer me.”
“Most likely…”
Reluctantly, Selene answered.
She glared at the tower with visible annoyance.
“That spellcaster seems to be after your life, my lord. If you give me the permission, I shall bring her head to you immediately. Please allow me to go on an expedition.”
Selene was ready for battle.
Yet Tempestra did not regard me as an enemy. Instead, it killed an Awakened One who tried to sneak attack me and calmly flew away.
The implication was clear.
“Selene, it’s not quite like that. Mirien…”
Just as I started explaining the situation to Selene, she hastily stepped back, pulling at the air.
[5★ The Blackened Saint Selene is using the skill 「Murky Veil」.]
“Hey! Be careful! There’s a 4-Star calamity here…!”
At that moment, a man with a short sports haircut got off a motorcycle and rushed over.
He approached, out of breath, and when he saw the half-bodied remains of the Awakened One left on the ground, he furrowed his brow.
“I received a report that a giant bird flew here moments ago. They said it was a 4-Star calamity. Are you the witness?”
“…It seems that way.”
“What about this corpse?”
“The dragon devoured him and then left. I survived by hiding.”
The man frowned.
On his chest was a badge from the Management Bureau, engraved with three characters, “Jo Geon-wook.”
[2★ Moss Stalker is using the skill 「Whisper of the Woods」.]
Eventually, the man, Jo Geon-wook, summoned a calamity. The 2-Star Moss Stalker used its detection skill to thoroughly scout the area but, luckily, could not locate Selene.
A 5-Star calamity’s stealth skill couldn’t be detected by a mere 2-Star detection skill.
“…Well. This Awakened One’s death is unfortunate, but it’s fortunate that you survived. What’s your name?”
Thus Jo Geon-wook inquired about my name, and I responded nonchalantly.
“Nam Joo-yeon.”
“Ah. Nam Joo-yeon. Nam Joo… Yeon?”
However, Jo Geon-wook’s eyes narrowed, as if something had clicked in his mind.
Meanwhile, the two severed arms brought by the Moss Stalker were cleanly cut, a testament to Selene’s divine swordplay. The cross-sections were as smooth as if cut by a saw.
Suspicious, indeed.
A subtle tension filled the air.
“Can you come with me for a bit?”
“…Yes.”
I nodded obediently.
