This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 650

“How… can I do this?”

Can I really do it?

To be honest, it was hard to gauge. After all, I had no idea how far those roots of the tree extended, just as that woman had said.

But… that didn’t mean it was impossible.

If I used the method that Miss Almighty mentioned, poking at that mysterious liquid inside the roots, maybe it would work out somehow.

“I’ll try it once.”

That was why I said those words to the people who were all looking at me.

What else could I do?

They said it was an impossible method unless I was the one to do it.

I didn’t know if the result would be life or death, but all I could do was try.

So, I nodded, and upon confirming the response from my side, Miss Almighty turned her head to begin surveying those gathered.

“Then… I believe everyone has agreed. Let me explain a bit more about the operation….”

First, we decided to split the personnel into three groups.

The first group was the strike team that included Miss Almighty.

The strike team had a simple goal.

Their mission was to go to the tree, which was the enemies’ stronghold and essence, and destroy everything in sight, including the Queen who guarded it, without leaving a trace.

“So, what about the people who were captured there…?”

What are we going to do? Do they really intend to sacrifice all those people?

Still, even though they were supposed to be heroes, as soon as Miss Almighty’s explanation finished, such questions arose from everyone.

“Ah, you don’t have to worry about that. I have a plan for that.”

“If that’s the case…”

It seemed inappropriate to poke too much at someone who had shown overwhelming performance.

Although there were no specific details given, everyone still seemed to be convinced.

The general feeling was like, ‘Yeah, if that person said it, then there must be a way.’

“Ah, however, those who stay here will have a tough time.”

What can I say?

As for the second group mentioned by Miss Almighty, they were to remain at the forward base to protect it from any possible attacks from the Another Ones.

Right now, the rift stabilization device had been smashed by the Another Ones, leaving the passage between reality and Heogye blocked, but there was no guarantee it would remain that way.

Time had passed since the rift closed, and it was clear that something would be attempted on the reality side. That meant it could reopen any time.

Thus, the role of those staying behind could be seen as quite significant too.

If everything went well without any hiccups, that would be great, but we needed to secure an escape route just in case things went wrong.

Even outside of that need for safety, we also required a passage to return to reality after succeeding in our plan.

Moreover, as Miss Almighty herself had just mentioned, she intended to somehow rescue the people trapped inside the tree… So, protecting and caring for them would also fall upon those who remained.

“Don’t be mistaken just because it’s the rear; it could be even more dangerous than the front.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Well… the Another Ones who have been robbing the people we were using as parts wouldn’t just sit back and do nothing.”

True, that made sense.

It was all based on Miss Almighty’s speculation, of course, and it depended on the success of the plan to rescue people, but if that plan succeeded, the Another Ones would face the strike team with significantly diminished abilities. They would have no choice but to take a pounding.

Was it perhaps such reasoning that affected the choice?

The faces of those designated to be on the defense team turned serious rather than relieved.

“For the defense team, please cooperate with the Korean expedition team to protect the evacuated people as much as possible.”

“…Yes.”

“I will do my best.”

“I’m not sure if there are enough medical supplies at the base. We have to consider the condition of the people who will be rescued; we will need supplies for at least a few hundred, after all.”

I couldn’t just stand by regarding that matter.

After all, I was the only one here who knew about the forward base.

“It won’t be that much, but there should be enough for urgent use.”

“Really?”

“Yes, but we will have to rummage through the storage.”

This forward base had been set up by experts considering various scenarios from the very beginning.

Among those scenarios was the potential for being cut off in the Heogye for several months due to problems with the rift connecting to reality, which meant there was a good amount of supplies stacked up, from emergency rations to medical supplies and clothing.

And it didn’t stop there.

To prepare for any prolonged isolation that exceeded expectations, they also had a moisture collection device for creating drinking water and facilities for hydroponics.

When I first arrived here, I spent hours installing all of that…

Although it was very likely that this situation would only be temporary, feeling like I was trapped in the Heogye made those provisions feel incredibly reassuring.

In order to share that reassurance with others, I subtly informed them about the existence of those facilities, and as expected, the expressions of those once tense became slightly brighter.

And why shouldn’t they?

Even if it seemed like they wouldn’t need it while alive, just knowing that such a last bastion existed makes one feel much lighter.

Once I finished quickly describing the facilities within the base, Miss Almighty’s voice, as if waiting for the moment, continued.

“Then, you can put aside your worries about those who will be rescued for now. Just buying a little more time here, and there will certainly be enough to do on the reality side. In that sense, let’s move on to the final group…”

The last group among the three was called the root team.

To be more precise, the root management team.

“Here, the five of you, including Miss O, should enter the lower realm at the timing of the confrontation between the strike team and the ‘Queen.'”

“The lower realm…?”

“It refers to the place where the roots are located.”

“This won’t be easy either.”

“It won’t. As you can see for yourself, these aren’t ordinary tree roots.”

Each of them could virtually be considered alive.

Even the meat flowers sprouting on the sides could pose a sufficient threat, so let your guard down, and you’ll be caught off guard.

“That’s why Miss O’s role here is crucial. Among the five here, she is the only one capable of accurately locating the roots that could emerge at any time. And as I mentioned earlier, she is the only one capable of tracking these roots whose extent is unknown without missing a beat.”

“I understand what that means. I’ll do my best to protect her while we move.”

“That’s enough.”

Perhaps my determined answer pleased her.

Miss Almighty, who had finally shown her emotions, smiled contently.

And just as that lengthy explanation concluded, she divided the expedition team of nearly twenty into three distinct groups.

Five would stay here to secure a stable escape route while cooperating with the Korean expedition team and protect the survivors who would soon be rescued.

Ten would move with Miss Almighty, ready to topple the tree, the essence of the Another Ones, and the ‘Queen’ guarding it.

Finally, five would enter the lower realm at the signal of the strike team to simultaneously eliminate the branches spreading here and there.

In that manner, as everyone quickly adjusted to their assigned roles—

“Then… shall we go?”

Miss Almighty, who naturally assumed the role of the strike team leader, declared as she stared at the distant tree.

The final battle, which might very well be the last, was drawing near.