The topics of the natural extinction of the nests and the hope for humanity faded away after a brief moment.
The status window had issued a death sentence to everyone around the world.
[Time remaining until the next Rift eruption: 42h]
In roughly two days, the second eruption will occur.
Although it won’t catch us as off-guard as the first one did, it’s self-evident that the entire nation will still fall into chaos. Especially, with people from the countryside evacuating to nearby large cities, streets are now packed with crowds.
It was a phenomenon one would expect to see only in an apocalypse movie.
At this moment, the biggest problems I face are twofold.
The first is the message floating up on my phone screen.
[Unreported Awakened Ones are requested to register at a public office by the next day.]
As the Eruption approaches, the deadline for Awakened Ones to report themselves has also been cut down to a single day.
Here arises the second problem.
“To report or not….”
Thanks to Selene’s dazzling debut performance, the infamous title of the Abyss’s Lord, Actor, is now well-known nationwide, making it impossible for me to register as an Awakened One.
Yet, it is equally impossible to avoid registration and live in complete isolation from society.
For now, I am hiding away in the Abyss. But I still have a home and a life in society to maintain.
“Appearing under a false identity seems to be the only option…”
This is my only solution.
Perhaps it’s like creating an alternate character in a game.
Still, there’s another problem here.
Currently, my strongest forces available are The Blackened Saint Selene and the Hellfire Guardian.
However, both are far too conspicuous. The Hellfire Guardian caused over a thousand casualties during the last eruption—it’s a calamity incarnate—and Selene’s face is everywhere.
“Even with a disguise…it would likely be meaningless.”
I sighed as I looked at Selene.
Though it might be possible to cover her silver hair and red eyes in some fashion, there’s no way to hide her skin ruined by the burns.
There’s no way she could wear a hijab.
Ultimately, there’s only one option.
“Elixir.”
As in games, by using the elixir, I could restore Selene’s body to its original state. Unfortunately, the Elixir is a 4-star consumable item; obtaining one is akin to trying to pluck stars from the sky.
“I apologize.”
Had she sensed my concerns?
Selene cautiously spoke up.
“Lord, you’ve healed me, and yet I’ve marred the body you restored.”
Selene’s expression was genuinely filled with anguish. It seemed she had intentionally gone back to her initial state.
Could it be that she willingly damaged her body again?
Though I wanted to ask why, I hesitated, fearing an answer I might not be able to bear.
The municipal office was crowded with people.
Tents were scattered everywhere, and evacuees from nearby small towns lined up, waiting for supplies.
Ironically, whereas people fled south during war times, now they were all evacuating to Seoul.
“Hey! Stand in line properly!”
Someone shouted at me.
I stood still for a moment then casually addressed the approaching official.
“Uh, about registering as an Awakened One…”
“Oh! Awakened One, please follow me!”
The moment I mentioned ‘Awakened One,’ the surrounding gazes shifted toward me, filled with admiration.
The official guided me to a private room. I was treated so lavishly with what appeared to be an expensive car, starkly contrasting with the people outside who slept under makeshift tents.
In this way, Awakened Ones had become the new elite in this fallen world.
“Alright, please fill out the paperwork. Also, include the details about the calamities you possess and any upgrades to your base. Here, write down a phone number we can reach you on in emergencies. Do you have an ID?”
“Will a driver’s license suffice?”
“It’s fine.”
The registrar in charge of Awakened registration handed over the documents to me with an official expression.
I filled out the paperwork without a word, writing down the name Jo Yeon and registering a single 2-star calamity and four 1-star calamities.
“Oh my, you have a 2-star calamity, it seems? May I check?”
“Just lucky with the synthesis.”
I manipulated my status window to summon the 2-star calamity Starlit Dust Golem I had received as a reward for the successful eradication of the last Cheonan nest.
“Impressive. Awakened Ones with a 2-star calamity will receive a separate stipend.”
The registrar handed me another document with a scrutinizing look. On closer inspection, it appeared to be a contract.
“By the way, if you’re summoned to another area, it’s considered an infraction under the Special Awakened One Law—also known as ‘poaching.’ This can lead to life imprisonment…”
According to the registrar, local governments outside the metropolitan area are desperately trying to hire Awakened Ones from other regions by offering large sums of money, as they lack sufficient Awakened Ones to protect their cities.
The jest of calling Seoul the Seoul Republic has almost become a reality.
“Yes. Awakened One Jo Yeon, that concludes the registration process. Here’s your Awakened One certification. Remember this number too; you must arrive at the designated location within an hour of receiving a call.”
“Summoning?”
“It’s our duty to protect the citizens.”
With that, the registrar handed me a mobilization notice filled with detailed information, explaining various aspects, starting with the legal penalties for non-compliance and onto the etiquette required by Awakened Ones.
I completed the paperwork while giving a perfunctory answer and walked out of the district office. Nearby, there was a commotion among the evacuees, with voices raised in arguments about cutting the line or stealing ration tickets. The bitter reality hit me, and I quickened my pace. Outside, Selene was waiting.
Dressed in a hoodie to conceal her identity, she appeared unexpectedly cute.
“Are you done with the task?”
“Yeah. Showing this little fella made it easier.”
I demonstrated the 2-star Starlit Dust Golem nestled in my arms.
Despite its intimidating name, the size was rather adorable.
Yet, this calamity could easily crush dozens of people.
[Kiing…]
“Selene, what’s wrong? The kid’s scared.”
“…No.”
Somewhere along the way, Selene had been glaring at the Golem.
After I admonished her, Selene finally looked away. For a brief moment, I noticed her flick her tongue in disapproval.
“Anyway, tomorrow, I must also go out as an Awakened One.”
According to the official, during the eruption, Awakened Ones must clear calamities outside to protect the evacuees in the shelters.
However, I cannot bring Selene or the Hellfire Guardian since they attract too much attention.
“So, tomorrow, I’ll fight alongside this Starlit Dust Golem.”
“It’ll be dangerous.”
“If things get really bad, if I feel like I’m about to die, just help me then.”
“I’ll hover nearby.”
Selene reluctantly nodded. While she says that, there would almost be no occasion where she herself would need to intervene. The second eruption would likely be like the first—mostly 1 and 2-star calamities, occasionally a 3-star but rarely.
Well, everything should go smoothly.
I harbored an optimistic outlook. However, Selene seemed to be preparing for the worst scenario as she subtly requested something.
“Might I make one request?”
“What is it?”
“Should any calamity approach you, other than me, under no circumstances should you comply.”
I furrowed my brow, not understanding Selene’s implication. She slowly shifted her gaze.
Coincidentally,
Her gaze’s end landed on a colossal tower towering over Yeouido.
A towering spire.
Seated on the highest terrace, Storm Mirien, with her jet-black hair and piercing green eyes, looked down. She now held a mobile device.
In the month she’d spent in this dimension, Mirien had familiarized herself with the new technology. Thus, she adeptly powered on the device known as a smartphone and played a video.
There in the video stood her former comrade Selene, wielding the flaming wedge sword.
– ‘My only Lord is the Actor, the Ruler. No one else.’
“Filthy wench.”
Mirien hissed a curse as she clenched the device tightly.
Although the device shattered under the pressure, Mirien paid it no mind; she would simply restore it with magic.
Her focus was entirely on the Ruler and Selene standing below the tower.
“To think she’s claiming exclusivity over the Ruler…?”
That harlot didn’t dare make such claims without basis.
This was a declaration of sorts.
A message transmitted to her old comrades scattered across dimensions.
Selene is exactly that kind of person. Her body is riddled with ash—she should’ve been executed by burning long ago. Yet, she lived thanks to the Ruler’s favor.
Mirien harbored immense disdain for this.
“…how dare she, how dare she…”
She desired to unleash a grand spell to upend the entire land Selene stood on.
But she refrained.
Because the Ruler, in human form, still lived upon this land.
And Mirien, though cast out, still harbored feelings for the Ruler.
It was a sentiment similar to Selene’s loyalty but slightly different.
“…Mine alone… the Ruler…”
Mirien’s feelings for him amounted to love.
The sorceress who once dreamed of defying fate had now come to cherish love for a mere human being.
“…I must protect him.”
Her obsession with magic, once feared even by gods, had evolved into a protective desire.
“I need to… prove who is more… useful to the Ruler…”
This is the harbinger of destruction.
