When Storm Mirien of the North Sea joined our base, there was a new development.
It seemed minor at first glance but was, in fact, a very significant change.
[4★ Hellfire Guardian has completed calamity synthesis.]
[Reward: 50Exp / 3★ Crimson Wolf]
[5★ Storm Mirien of the North Sea has completed calamity synthesis.]
[Reward: 150Exp / 4★ Rock Crusher]
Ding!
“Ah.”
For the first time, the synthesis of a 4-star calamity succeeded.
The main character behind it was none other than Storm Mirien of the North Sea. Her disaster compatibility rating was incredibly high—an S. This meant, with the exception of Asteria, whose synthesis compatibility rating was S+, Mirien was unmatched among all existing calamities.
“Actor! I did well, didn’t I?”
“Yeah, you really did.”
Moreover, after resolving a misunderstanding, she began to follow me around like a little sister, though her feelings for me might have bordered on love. I chose to ignore that fact because, honestly, I was suffocating knowing that three calamities, besides Mirien, were watching me.
[Setting 4★ Rock Crusher as the guard of the “Tower that Defies Heaven.”]
[Y]
I designated the newly acquired 4-star calamity, Rock Crusher, as the watchman of the tower. Even if misguided Awakened Ones who didn’t know the value of life came to invade, Rock Crusher, our gatekeeper, would stop them. A 4-star calamity of the Earth attribute—though not a named entity—would have little trouble handling two or three 3-star calamities.
“…Actor, could you give me more compliments?”
“Sure, sure. You did great. Truly.”
This addition of Mirien joining the base was a major win. While she wasn’t exactly suited for battle, she brought considerable advantages in non-combat areas, warranting optimism for her future contributions…
“…”
I paused my thoughts and looked at the silver-haired saint smiling far away. And, of course, she was looking at me too.
[5★ Blackened Saint Selene is watching you!!]
The exclamation marks in the status window gave some indication of Selene’s current mood.
I cleared my throat nervously, like a husband caught in adultery.
“…Selene, well, you know. Synthesis is one of Mirien’s special skills too… and you have other specialties…”
“Yes, I understand, Lord. There’s no need for you to consider my feelings. After all, I am your adjutant, am I not?”
She emphasized the word ‘adjutant’ for whatever reason.
“Uh, hmm…”
As I faltered, Mirien, who had silently watched this farce, narrowed her eyes.
Then she grinned mischievously and plopped onto my lap.
“Actor, I think I deserve to be adjutant too. Better than that Fox Woman, right? Especially when it comes to synthesis, I’m much better.”
Considering her small frame, I hardly felt her weight at all.
Still, there was a heaviness pressing on my shoulders.
It was the heavy chill in the air.
“Lord, remove that disgusting woman right away. The stench of that magic user is offensive.”
“But, um… how am I supposed to…?”
When Selene grew indignant, Mirien twisted her lips and hugged my neck, clinging to me like a sloth. Her skirt was raised, exposing her skin, but Mirien seemed completely unfazed; in fact, she might not have any sense of decency.
“…Lord?”
“That… she’s just a kid. You should understand.”
“She is not a child. She is a calamity that murdered tens of millions.”
‘Then you also burned the world, didn’t you?’
The words almost escaped me, though I held them back under her fierce gaze.
…Fierce indeed.
“Anyway, let’s discuss our next action.”
I managed to change the subject somehow.
“As things stand, we can’t go to China, right?”
The fact that Carna resides in China was undoubtedly a significant discovery. However, it’s impossible for us to go see her now.
As we learned from the last play, the Awakened One Management Bureau agreed not to interfere with my actions, but they wouldn’t let the sole S-Rank Awakened One in the country leave. With only five days until the fourth outburst, even if the government of the Republic of Korea is incompetent, they wouldn’t just abandon their greatest national power. Also, even if we meet Carna right now, we lack the strength to restrain her. She already possesses three 4-star calamities, possibly more if we count the unknown entities. My base does have two 5-star calamities and three 4-star calamities, but Carna is no easy force.
Ultimately, now is the time to strengthen our power.
“…Anyway, Mirien, shouldn’t you get off me soon?”
“I think I deserve more compliments. It’s a rare 4-star calamity after all. Hard to get, right? Don’t you think so too, Actor? You always support me, Actor.”
Sweat ran down my back.
But Selene, with an indifferent expression, nodded to the side.
“No, that’s fine. My Lord should keep doing what you’re doing without worrying. Even if you put your hands on her thighs or play with her skirt’s hem, it’s fine with me.”
“But I never…”
“You might do that, right? It’s fine. My Lord has every right to enjoy women.”
Selene smiled while saying this with her eyes, but I noticed that the Divine Flame around her was burning more ferociously.
While I was distracted with that thought, Mirien, seemingly enjoying herself, pressed her cheek into my chest.
I heard the grinding sound of clenched teeth.
“…What a filthy slut.”
Selene could hold back no longer.
Her spear of inferno was drawn.
It was becoming a recurring event, a UFC fight.
*
Five days later.
[Fissure eruption begins.]
[Diverse calamities can be collected during fissure eruptions.]
[Defeat calamities and dominate them. Dominated calamities will serve as loyal minions to strengthen your base.]
[The eruption will end in 6h.]
“Hmm.”
The status window informed of the fourth eruption’s start.
After climbing to the rooftop of the Management Bureau’s building like the last time, I observed my surroundings. From the massive vortex of the fissure in the sky, various calamities began to pour. Most were 1-star to 2-stars—no exceptional ones like the last time. However, their number was far greater than before. Most importantly, during the last Tower’s Fissure incident, when Selene caused chaos, many Awakened Ones lost their calamities.
This eruption is bound to be more challenging than the last.
But what bothered me most was the few uninvited guests by my side.
“Haha…”
The woman here bearing a rather simpleminded smile—Awakened One Seo Ye-rin of the B-rank and a few other Awakened Ones—had been assigned to my team despite my claim that I didn’t need any help. The Bureau, under the name of minimum bodyguard force for S-Rank Awakened Ones, attached them to me.
“Damn Management Bureau.”
I cursed inwardly. Regardless, Seo Ye-rin approached me and bowed deeply.
“I heard from Se-na that you saved me. Thank you so much.”
“Uh, you’re welcome. It was nothing.”
“Can I take a picture this time too?”
“Take a picture?”
Seo Ye-rin already had her phone in hand.
“Yup. Director Yoo Jun-seo said I’m going to be the exclusive cameraman for you, Mr. Nam Joo-yeon.”
“Why…?”
“Video views exceeded 100 million. They highly valued that accomplishment.”
“No, I didn’t ask why, but why is the Bureau making my video?”
“Hmm… something about… PR…?”
That Yoo Jun-seo.
Though I grimaced, Seo Ye-rin had her camera ready, so there was no point in resisting. My face had already been exposed to the public widely; one more video wouldn’t make much of a difference.
“As long as you don’t interfere with my work.”
“Of course! I’ll make sure I don’t interfere with you!”
Seo Ye-rin nodded enthusiastically, her eyes lighting up.
Such naivety suited that phrase perfectly.
I let out a sigh and manipulated the status window.
[Summoning 4★ Storm Dragon Tempestra.]
[Summoning 4★ Rock Crusher.]
Unlike the last time, I now have two 4-star calamities.
Thus, the summoned 4-star calamity Rock Crusher matched the Storm Dragon Tempestra in size.
“Wow! This is the legendary second 4-star calamity of the S-Rank Awakened One!”
Seo Ye-rin, filming me with her camera, exclaimed in excitement.
Indeed, compared to Tempestra, the Sky Dragon, Rock Crusher wasn’t a named calamity and thus relatively weaker, but it had its own set of unique advantages.
Like this.
[4★ Rock Crusher casting skill 「Land Tillage」.]
RUMBLE!
Rock Crusher plunged its massive fists into the ground.
Though some buildings with non-earthquake-resistant construction collapsed, it was a devastating show of power. Nearby random calamities were destroyed outright. With multiple kill logs appearing on the status window, I smirked.
‘Performance confirmed.’
In the Disaster Order, Land Tillage was an area-skill without friend-or-foe discrimination, so it was sealed close. But now, with reality becoming game-like, it had its uses.
In a region with no civilians or Awakened Ones, properly controlled, a single Earth Crusher could block dozens of calamities.
It was a merit that couldn’t be ignored in defense formations like the current one.
“A-Ah! Ten Awakened Ones couldn’t manage what this one calamity accomplished alone…! This is what it means to be S-Rank!”
While Seo Ye-rin gave an elaborate commentary, I chose to ignore it. I realized that what she was doing was closer to internet broadcasting rather than simple recording.
[4★ Storm Dragon Tempestra casting skill 「Sky’s Roar」.]
Anyway, thanks to the efforts of the two 4-star calamities, my assigned area’s eradication was now finished.
I had a brief rest period before the next wave arrived.
Seo Ye-rin, who didn’t seem to have any intention of including my resting image in her recording, put her phone away and approached me with quick steps.
“Uh… Mr. S-Rank Awakened One Nam Joo-yeon! You’re truly amazing! The guardian god of Seoul! Dragon King! Maestro!”
“…”
Apparently, her enthusiastic chatter wasn’t so much for the broadcast as it was a reflection of her usual speech pattern.
“Please, just call me Joo-yeon. No need for that cumbersome word, ‘Dragon King’.”
“Uh… well…”
Seo Ye-rin blushed, cheeks turning red.
“Then… Mr. Nam Joo-yeon?”
“Yes.”
“Amazing! The second 4-star calamity, Earth Crusher! You’re officially the world’s best Awakened One now, better than those Chinese ones!”
Seo Ye-rin flashed a wide smile and gave me a thumbs-up.
“Didn’t you know? China also has what would be an S-Rank Awakened One by Korea’s standards. He has a 4-star calamity too. But now, with the Republic of Korea’s pride, Mr. Nam Joo-yeon’s victory… it’s as if you’ve already ranked everyone!”
Seo Ye-rin gestured wildly while praising me, but I listened with only one ear.
Thinking about it, a few weeks ago, I received a hint from Kang Se-na about the S-Rank Awakened One in China.
“Ms. Seo Ye-rin.”
“Y-yes!”
My interest piqued.
The reason was that I had heard hints from Mirien regarding Carna.
“Uh… do you know anyone connected to the Awakened Ones in China?”
“Uh?”
“Even a regular person is fine. Just not necessarily an Awakened One. Maybe someone related to the Bureau… No, the Chinese Police? Anyway, if there’s anyone at the Bureau or the Police that you know, could you introduce them to me?”
“…”
Seo Ye-rin blinked a few times.
Then her eyes darted around for a moment.
She seemed to misunderstand something and her face turned pale. Eventually, she opened her mouth.
“You…”
“Me?”
“Don’t go! What are you planning to do, becoming an honorary Chinese…”
“…”
Apparently, Seo Ye-rin was a nationalist down to her bones.
