Chapter 41

The Republic of Korea was currently in a state of practical anarchy outside the capital region.

The Awakened One Management Bureau, representing the current South Korean government agency, had lost control over all but a few core areas within the capital region. Meanwhile, local governments outside the capital, with the exception of large cities like Busan, had long since handed over governing power to city-affiliated Awakened Ones.

Thus, updates from the regions felt distant and vague to those in the capital, and Seoul-based media outlets rarely covered provincial news in depth.

“…”

Perhaps because of this, the state of South Korea that greeted us directly came as quite a shock.

After slipping past a tightly guarded checkpoint into North Chungcheong Province, the landscape dramatically changed.

I couldn’t help but marvel as I held the steering wheel.

‘And to think the world has come to this in just five months.’

Had I been in Seoul too long? The rapid desolation visible outside the capital felt incredibly foreign. Collapsed signs, cracked roads, streets completely empty of people – it all reminded me of the post-apocalyptic games I used to play.

Moreover, all this devastation had been caused by the calamities I had unleashed. Regardless of my ignorance, I couldn’t fully absolve myself of responsibility.

“…”

Even so…

I felt I had already paid enough penance for all that. I could tell just from the murmurs coming from the back seat.

“…Mirien, this time, there must absolutely be no failure. Should you jeopardize Lord’s campaign, I myself shall rip out your heart.”

“There’s something we say in situations like this.”

“Hmm?”

“To each their own.”

“Excuse me?”

“Why?”

“I’m going to stitch shut that insolent mouth of yours.”

The Blackened Saint Selene.

Storm Mirien.

These two 4-Star Calamities were currently seated behind me.

I had originally intended to only take Selene, but bringing Mirien as well seemed necessary to avoid catastrophe.

Surprisingly, the two were currently arguing.

It was impossible to tell whether their relationship was good or bad.

“…You two, I told you not to fight.”

“Actor, this woman keeps picking on me. Scold her.”

“Magic-know-it-all, stop bothering Lord. Do you wish to d*e?”

“…”

What could I say?

Parenting must feel something like this…

Realizing I looked troubled, Mirien fell silent and Selene asked carefully:

“Lord, do you intend to face Karne after reinforcing ourselves by eliminating nests?”

“I’d prefer not to fight unless absolutely necessary, but some conflict with Karne seems unavoidable.”

Though Selene had given me a hint, I still knew nothing of Mother of Omens Karne’s character. I had no idea what Karne was thinking or what her ultimate goal was after being abandoned from the stronghold. However, considering Mirien’s report that she had already harvested tens of millions of lives to build an army of followers…

Karne didn’t seem like someone who would calmly listen to reason and clear up misunderstandings. If anything, she was more likely to cause an event greater than the previous Tower of Reversed Heavens eruption.

There was only one thing we needed to do now.

“Eliminate regional nests, gather calamities, and prepare equipment.”

“Equipment?”

We could obtain equipment through calamity synthesis. Having quickly acquired a 4-star calamity, I didn’t need equipment very much yet, but that would change in the future.

“Also, we need to get that elixir for you, Selene.”

“…Lord.”

Selene’s face showed genuine appreciation.

Her current condition was less than optimal. To heal her internal injuries caused by flames, like in the game, we needed a 4-star consumable equipment elixir.

Fortunately, with Mirien, who had high synthesis affinity, joining our base, obtaining the elixir shouldn’t be too difficult.

“In any case, this is for all of us. You two, please cooperate as much as possible and stop fighting.”

“Okay.”

“Yes, Lord. Until we reach the Abyss.”

“So, that’s why you call our base the Abyss.”

Despite the ominous landscape outside, having two 4-star calamities conversing peacefully behind me gave me the strange feeling of going on a trip.

That strange sense of exhilaration abruptly shattered when a giant spear landed right in the middle of the road.

Kritch!

Honestly, I wasn’t that surprised.

The spear had embedded far away, clearly not intended to attack us but rather to block passage.

“…Lord, there seem to be attackers present. Should I deal with them?”

“Actor, there are exactly eleven of them on that breastwork over there. One lightning strike should take care of them.”

Mirien and Selene had made alarming suggestions.

Shaking my head, I replied:

“No, that’s unnecessary.”

Looking at the spear, I recognized what it was.

[2★ Coral Hunter uses skill “Spear Throw”.]

This was a 2-star calamity Coral Hunter’s skill. And there wouldn’t be any wild calamities roaming through the intact city.

As expected, some figures appeared from beyond the breastwork lined along the road, wearing crude outerwear and masks – Awakened Ones.

“Stop! This is our Daejeon Clan’s territory!”

“…”

The reality has turned into a game so much that words like “clan” or “guild” that used to feel embarrassing now roll off the tongue easily.

It was still strange.

*

In Daejeon, there existed the largest group of Awakened Ones in Chungcheong Province.

Without an official name, this group known as the Daejeon Clan effectively ruled Daejeon.

Indeed, with the government losing its power in the regions, I was seeing a society dominated by Awakened Ones for the first time.

“From here is our territory.”

Our guide was a seasoned man with a 3-star calamity.

“We also have a market here. You can buy and sell things using experience coins.”

Fortunately, my name carried weight even in the regions.

And the Daejeon Clan wasn’t exclusive enough to turn away an S-rank Awakened One despite being able to recognize me.

Having expressed my intention to exterminate a nest, they arranged a meeting with the clan leader for me.

“And… this is where the clan leader resides.”

The Daejeon Clan had taken the government building as its base.

Where had all the civil servants who were originally supposed to be here gone? I didn’t bother asking, sensing the answers wouldn’t be pleasant.

The interior of the government building was chaotic. There were partitions everywhere, and most exits, including windows, were boarded up with planks.

“Airtight security.”

“It’s only been like this for less than a month now. Recently, some strange person broke into the base and killed over a dozen people. They weren’t caught at all. Fortunately, the clan leader managed to drive them away.”

“…”

“So, by the way, are you carrying any weapons or such items?”

“I do not.”

Fortunately, they didn’t conduct a thorough search. I discreetly patted the 5-star equipment, Shell of the Dead God, hidden in my inner pocket.

Though it felt like walking into the enemy’s mouth alone, having this equipment meant I would be safe from most harm.

[5★ The Blackened Saint Selene casts技能 “Ebon Veil”.]

[5★ Storm Mirien casts skill “Shadow Glide”.]

Most importantly, two 5-star calamities with stealth skills were following behind me.

The man failed to notice and unsuspectingly led me to a large room on the 7th floor.

“Brother Jeon Tae-min, I’ve brought the S-rank Awakened One I reported.”

“Let him enter. Alone.”

A gruff voice came from behind the door.

Carefully gripping the doorknob, I entered the room.

There was a man with a giant eyepatch over one eye – Jeon Tae-min, with his broad shoulders, rugged face, and a tattoo covering one arm.

His appearance wasn’t much different from the thugs who threatened me during the first eruption; if he had survived back then, he might have ended up in Jeon Tae-min’s current position.

Lost in such trivial thoughts, Jeon Tae-min leaned his chin on his hand and said:

“So, you’re the S-rank? What a pretty face you have.”

Jeon Tae-min’s voice was full of hostility.

He evidently felt guarded against a famous Awakened One from Seoul invading his domain.

Maintaining an expressionless face as best as I could, I nodded.

“What’s the business?”

“Eradiation of nests.”

He frowned, having already heard this report from his subordinates.

“I reject it. The nest belongs to us.”

“Are you saying you don’t want us to help eliminate it?”

“Hah, boy. The benefits of keeping the nest outweigh eliminating it. Sure, it occasionally erupts and kills some people, but they’re non-Awakened ones anyway – none of our concern.”

Jeon Tae-min sneered, twisting his lips as if mocking me.

His looks were as unpleasant as his character, it seemed.

“Get out. I’ll have someone bring you food downstairs if you’re hungry.”

What should I do?

I had no intention of leaving quietly.

Then, should I demonstrate our power difference?

But before I could make a move, Jeon Tae-min’s face turned to one of shock.

“…You, you!”

Jeon Tae-min wasn’t looking at me.

He was staring in terror at some point directly behind me.

[5★ Storm Mirien cancels concentration on skill “Shadow Glide”.]

Just then, Mirien had canceled her stealth skill and was standing beside me.

I didn’t feel any urge to scold her for this.

“Th-Th-That woman! How could…”

Jeon Tae-min recognized Mirien.

His actions of falling out of his chair and trembling while clutching his shoulders were completely different from the casual way he had treated me earlier, like someone experiencing a PTSD episode.

“…What’s the matter, Mirien?”

Seeing my questioning look, Mirien scratched her cheek awkwardly and gave an adorable smile.

“Actually, I came here a while ago and killed a few people.”

“…”

Her words reminded me of what the Awakened One who had guided me at the first floor earlier had said:

“Recently, some strange person broke into the base and killed more than a dozen people. And they weren’t caught at all.”

“…”

Was it you?