Chapter 259.

Vast Expanse kept both his feet on the ground . There was no need for him to move . His will permeated the ground . Sometimes the earth shot up towards his enemies; other times it spread out in the sky like an umbrella .

His Gift was perfect for both attack and defense .

Vast Expanse became one with the earth and fought the Chameleon Troupe .

But the combined strength of the Chameleon Troupe tenaciously countered Vast Expanse’s Gift . Cheok Jungyeong smashed Vast Expanse’s earth barrier with his strength and energy . Boss charred the soil with her hellfire shadow . Hirano Arashi attacked with destruction magic . Kaita’s wires, Jin Yohan’s Eight Serpent Spear, and Setryn’s daggers all rushed to Vast Expanse .

The explosive fight continued . Magic powers collided with each other, and the clash of the earth and metals caused huge flames to soar . From a distance, it looked as if multiple firecrackers had been lit in a row .

“…Why don’t we stop here?”

But they couldn’t afford to take up any more time . When the fight died down a little, Boss requested Vast Expanse for a conversation before launching her ultimate skill .

“We’ll have to resort to other means if you continue to hinder us . ”

“… . ” Vast Expanse looked at Boss silently . Suddenly, he gave a small smile . “So that small child who was by Yeonjun’s side has grown this much . ”

Yi Yeonjun .

The name of the former boss .

Boss clenched her fist as his name was always too painful to hear .

“Child, why do you want the girl?”

Vast Expanse pointed at Yi Yuri who was passed out on the ground a short distance away .

“We want to protect her . ”

“Protect?” Vast Expanse’s expression changed slightly .

“Right now she’s being used as a tool for political figures . She’ll continue to be exploited that way until she dies . We want to protect her from that . ”

“…And who asked you for such a thing? Was it perhaps the child you call Black Lotus?”

Boss nodded, “Yes . ”

“Why would he ask for such a thing?”

“I do not know . ”

“…You know neither his motive nor his purpose, yet you’re still willing to grant his request . ” Vast Expanse gave a scornful smile . “That’s not what I taught Yeonjun . ”

“…I know . ” Boss shook her head . The relationship between the former boss—Yi Yeonjun—and Vast Expanse was that of master and disciple . Vast Expanse taught Yi Yeonjun about the mindset of a mercenary, which was then passed down to Boss .

“However, this is a request from the man whom I owe a lifetime of debt . ”

The request of someone who became precious to her .

Everyone was here today for the same reason . Boss did not force any of them to take part in this mission . All members voluntarily participated .

Before anyone knew it, Kim Hajin had become an important part of the Chameleon Troupe .

“I can grant his request, because I’m not Yi Yeonjun . ”

Vast Expanse’s face stiffened at Boss’ remark . He sought to find traces of his old disciple in Boss’ face, but her face harbored a similar yet different kind of determination . Vast Expanse’s lips curved into a broad smile .

“…Junwoo, put down your sword . ”

Kim Junwoo put his sword down . Vast Expanse’s magic power also dissipated .

Vast Expanse was planning on letting the Chameleon Troupe go, and the Chameleon Troupe would not refuse his kindness .

“Thank you . ”

“You don’t have to thank me . I’m only retreating because our goals align,” Vast Expanse said as he turned around . “I shall visit you again in the near future . Keep the girl safe until then . ”

He slowly walked away from them, then suddenly, paat—!

He disappeared from their sight with a flash of light .

**

[Recorded Past, Akatrina]

The Akatrina Continent was similar in appearance to the ‘fantasy worlds’ found in many novels . Up above the sky were two moon-like satellites and countless stars . The vastness of the celestial bodies lit up the dark sky . I walked amidst the strange yet beautiful scenery of a different world .

[First goal — reach the capital of Plerion]

The popup window that had appeared in front of me announced our first goal .

I continued to walk with this window fixed in the upper right-hand corner of my view .

We walked on for about half a day, guided by the Book of Truth .

“…Mm . ”

A new day dawned, and the sun was already above our heads . We could see a wall in the distance, but it was already horribly damaged and had lost its function . I checked its information .

===

[Outer Wall of Plerion]

—The outer wall of ‘Plerion’, the capital of Plerion . It was destroyed in war .

===

“This is the outer wall of Plerion . “

I recited the information to Jin Sahyuk, who was following me from behind . She widened her eyes and checked the wall .

“…You’re right . ”

We paused in front of the wall . We could see the ruins beyond the destroyed wall . Dry bloodstains dyed the ground reddish-black, and the nasty smell of corpses reeked out . The view was truly gruesome .

“By year 555, the entire continent was already in ruins . Many wars swept the continent like storms, and monsters came flooding in before we could recover from the aftermath of the war . In 555, the only place in Plerion that was still relatively intact was Count Schupert’s territory, which we just passed by, and Plerion, the capital city . But even those two cities were at odds with each other . ”

Jin Sahyuk explained to me the reason behind this dreary sight . Right now she was clearly different from the way she was on Earth . Perhaps her ‘memory seal’ had weakened .

“Anyways, let’s go . ”

“… . ”

We walked past the crumbled wall . There wasn’t a single sign of life inside, only houses that had long been destroyed and countless bodies of the residents and soldiers who guarded the city .

“It looks like the wall came down recently . ”

Judging from the conditions of the bodies, no more than a week had passed since their deaths . Jin Sahyuk nodded in agreement .

“Seems so . There must have been a battle not long ago . …Oi, what do you plan to do from here?”

I was dumbfounded by Jin Sahyuk’s question .

‘She clearly doesn’t understand the situation . ’ Instead of getting angry, I heaved a sigh, and put my hand on Jin Sahyuk’s shoulder .

“Why are you asking me that? You’re the one who dragged me here . ”

“… . ”

Jin Sahyuk’s face warped into a frown . She stared at me with sharp eyes .

“It’s about time you were honest, you little prick . ”

“What? The hell are you—”

At that time, drk, drk— the sound of galloping hooves rang out . Though the sound came from many horses, it sounded feeble for some reason .

I turned and looked towards the direction of the sound .

An army of about 300 cavalrymen was approaching us, carrying the royal flag . But the army’s horses were in a terrible condition . It seemed they hadn’t eaten for days… .

It was, of course, understandable . After all, life on the Akatrina Continent was on the brink of extinction, and its living conditions were virtually post-apocalyptic .

“…You scoundrels!”

With a huge yell, the army arrived in front of us . But the moment they saw our unusual clothes, they became perplexed . In the meantime, Jin Sahyuk tried to speak as if she was their King .

“Hmph, you insolent fools . Who do you think you are talk—”

“Be quiet . You’re not the King right now . ”

“… . ”

Jin Sahyuk quickly understood what I meant . She glanced over the calvary with her eyes wide open .

Amidst the soldiers was a little girl in loose-fitting armor . She looked barely over ten years old . She was the smallest, but she rode the tallest horse .

“…Whoa whoa . ”

The girl came forward slowly, soothing her horse .

We stared at the child .

Indeed, she looked just like Jin Sahyuk, only 15 years younger . At the same time, they looked completely different from each other, because the girl was blonde and blue-eyed .

“Who are you?” The girl, who was as cute as a doll, asked as she tried to keep her composure . I could see the grit and tenacity flickering in her eyes even from afar .

I looked at Jin Sahyuk . She was looking at Plerion’s young ruler in a daze .

What would it be like to face myself from the past? Obviously I had no idea .

“Answer me . If you don’t—!”

The horse leaped just as the little King was about to shout .

“Woah, woah . Stay still, you little… . ”

A knight dismounted from his horse to hold her reins . Only then did the little King look down at us wholly .

“Reveal your identities . Did Schupert send you? And also explain your attire . ”

“No, we’re… . ”

I glanced at Jin Sahyuk . However, she was in no state to speak .

“We’re from the temple . ”

“Temple?”

“Yes . ”

The knights naturally refused to believe me .

“You fool! Do you know who you’re lying to? The temple is already…?”

Actions were better than words . I showed them the evidence .

The manifestation of sacred power using Stigma . The knights stared blankly at the white lump of light rising from my palm . The light then flew over to a soldier, whose injuries immediately healed .

“A-Ah, my wounds are gone!”

“Is this enough?”

I looked at them with a polite smile .

Suddenly, a voice full of joy came from the young Jin Sahyuk .

“So, so the Temple is not destroyed?”

I looked at Little Jin Sahyuk .

Her grin and big eyes appeared too inexperienced for a King .

**

We marched into the inner walls of the city under the convoy of knights . However, the city was not in great shape . The walls were corroded and the people were starving . They paid little attention to the King passing by .

“…In year 555, hope was already gone . ”

We were now in a guest room at the Plerion Royal Palace .

“I lost something dear to me in the midst of political strife, and the servants who caused it ran away with food and valuables . The state coffers and stores were being emptied, my servants were disappearing one after another, but even then I was unaware of their betrayal . One day, I woke up and found that all I had left were the knights who had sworn loyalty to me . ”

In a tidy room with two large beds, Jin Sahyuk said with her eyes moist with emotion .

“And two years later, in 557, I died while running away from monsters and Schupert . ”

“And the last knight you were with was Kim Suho?”

Jin Sahyuk snorted .

“He’s not my knight . They all died, and he was just the only one who survived . Come to think of it, Kim Suho must be here, too . “

“…Whatever you say . ”

I sprawled out on the bed .

A new episode had started all of sudden, but I shouldn’t consider it a bother . This episode could be the most important turning point .

One of the rewards for this episode was a [Purifying Crystal] . There wasn’t much time left before Earth began its Demon Realm Transformation . I hadn’t hinted at how to stop this transformation in the original story, and now the remake was offering me the solution .

‘Purifying Crystal’ was probably an item that could purify and stop the Demon Realm Transformation .

Tiriring—

At that moment, another window popped up in front of me .

[Second goal — acquire 6 ‘Continental Fragment Pieces’ and partly restore Plerion . ]

“Hey, where’s the crystal fragment?”

I immediately asked Jin Sahyuk .

“What are you talking about?”

“The fragment you blew up . Check your pockets . “

“What do you— Hey, are you crazy?!”

“I said, check your pockets . “

Knock knock

I heard knocks just as I was about to rummage through Jin Sahyuk’s pockets .

—Come out .

At the same time, I heard a thick voice .

“I don’t have it, you little shit!”

“…Why don’t you? This is annoying . You’re really useless…”

I opened the door after I made sure Jin Sahyuk didn’t have the crystal fragment . Outside, a young knight was staring at us with a discontented look .

“The King has generously prepared a dinner for you . Follow me . “

We followed the knight without putting up a fight . The knight led us to the dining room .

There was a long table in the center of the large dining room . The knights stood in lines on either side of the room . Little Jin Sahyuk, ‘Prihi’, was sitting at the head of the table .

Prihi greeted us with a nonchalant yet rejoicing expression .

“I prepared a meal to welcome my honored guests . ”

Smoked pork, a few bowls of soup, salad, and a loaf of brown bread were on the table . It seemed that metal plates had been stolen already as all the cutlery was made of wood .

We sat down in our seats .

“Thank you . ”

“Haha, no need for gratitude . More importantly, is it true that the Temple is still intact?”

I nodded, trying to appear as divine as possible . I felt as if I was playing house with her .

“Yes, and the Temple hopes that Plerion will soon regain its former glory . ”

Prihi failed to hide her smile .

“Kmm . Well, that’s enough chitchat . Please eat . ”

“Thank you . ”

Though Prihi seemed satisfied, the knights surrounding us did not .

Apparently this dinner was very luxurious . So luxurious that every single knight had to starve in exchange for this one meal .

Prihi asked as she ate the soup, “…Then, should I call you ‘Priest?’”

“Yes, please call me Priest Kim . ”

“Mm . Priest Kim . And next to you is?”

“Oh, she’s my servant . ”

“…Wait, what . What? What?”

Jin Sahyuk, who was looking down at the pork rather plaintively, jolted .

Dissatisfied with Jin Sahyuk’s ungraceful response, Prihi shot her future self a discontented look . And it wasn’t just Prihi .

—Unbelievable .

—How is it possible for a mere servant to dine with the King?

I was only trying to poke fun at Jin Sahyuk, but I ended up offending the knights . They were probably upset that a servant got to eat something even they themselves couldn’t eat .

“Haha, I’m sorry . I was only joking . This person is a priest as well . She has very special spiritual powers . ”

“Oh, I see . Spiritual powers, you say… . ”

Anyway, the meal went on . Clatter clatter I looked around as I moved my spoon .

—Knight Leot caught that pig .

—I was looking forward to eating it .

—It can’t be helped . They’re from the Temple .

—That’s precisely the reason this is a problem . The Temple crumbled to nothing . Those suckers can’t help us in anyway . They’ll just be eating all our food, claiming they’re divine priests .

I didn’t eat much . I wasn’t hungry, and since whatever food I left behind would go to the knights, I thought I’d let them have it .

Instead, I chose to examine Prihi .

She was nibbling at the smoked pork with her small hands . She seemed to be enjoying it a lot . The reason the knights weren’t expressing any dissatisfaction to the King was probably because of that face .

“… . ”

And Jin Sahyuk was looking at her past self without even laying a finger on her food .

—At least they’re tactful .

—The King doesn’t eat much, so we’ll all probably be able to take a bite or two .

—That’s good . Gulp

The dinner continued, and the young King was getting pretty full .

KWANG—!

Suddenly, the dining room’s door swished open and a scout rushed in .

“I have an urgent message! Schupert’s soldiers have broken into the inner wall . ”

“What?!”

Prihi let out a yell . Her cherry lips were greasy with pig oil .

“Count Schupert is claiming that he captured spies dispatched by your majesty… . ”

“Stay here, honored guests . Let’s go-!”

The King and her knights left the room at once .

Placed in an incomprehensible situation, a thought suddenly crossed my mind .

“Wait, spies?”

At our first meeting, Prihi had asked us, ‘Did Schupert send you?’

Which meant Schupert was probably… .

I got up in a hurry .

“Hey, come with me . I think there may be other people besides us out there . ”

“I was gonna go anyway . ”

Jin Sahyuk was ready to use her magic power any minute now . We followed the King and her knights .

We passed by the terrified citizens and climbed up the wall .

“Queen! I have brought the spies you sent me!”

Below the wall was Schupert’s great army, which was actually made up of only about 3000 troops . But it was still big in comparison to the King’s army .

“I said I’m not a spy!”

A loud, high-pitched voice came up from below .

I smiled down at them .

Down below, Jin Seyeon and Aileen were locked up in a wooden cell . Their hands and feet were tied together with restraints .

As expected, they had ended up getting caught in the explosion as well .

===

[Magic Suppressing Shackles]

—Inhibits the wearer’s use of magic power .

===

‘Wow, that’s a great item,’ I thought, when Prihi suddenly shouted out loud .

“Imbeciles! How dare you defy me, when you have kept your peace by the kindness of the former King?”

Bloodshot eyes and body trembling with anger .

Prihi was enraged, and her anger was directed at the man who was looking up at her from below the wall— ‘Count Schupert’ .

“Haha . Little Queen, even now you bring up the former King! Very pathetic . That is why all of your men have left you!”

—Hahahahaha! Foolish King! How ridiculous is it for a child to act so arrogantly?

But the soldiers below only laughed at Prihi .

Prihi bit her lips, and the knights hid her behind them .

“Those bastards… . You’re all dead . ”

Jin Sahyuk took a step forward, venting her rage .

“Hahaha . We shall depart now, infantile King!”

But the enemy didn’t seem to want to fight . They began to prepare to depart, leaving Aileen and Jin Seyeon where they were .

Count Schupert said, “King, I was rather impressed with your scheme to lure monsters with the help of spies . However,”

At that moment, something dark and red wriggled on the far horizon . Its movement was far too grotesque for a natural phenomenon .

“…Huh . ”

I had seen something like that before . That was a herd of monsters . An army of monsters were approaching this way .

“You are too stupid, too weak, and too evil . Accept the reality, Prihi . Plerion has already fallen . ”

“Schupert—!“

Prihi let out a yell that was too faltering to be considered dignified .

“Haha . Instead of screaming, you should think about how to repel those monsters first . ”

Schupert turned around, and so did his soldiers .

The knights couldn’t stop the enemies from leaving .

“The number of monsters… . ”

Because now, they were also witnessing the slowly advancing monsters from beneath the horizon .

Jin Sahyuk asked, “Oi, can you can deal with that?”

“Probably . ”

I pulled a small iron box out of Stigma . The box was made using ‘Setting Intervention’ and contained approximately 10,000 bullets in it .

“You retreat . We’ll stop them . ”

“No . You said you were from the Temple . Please take the King somewhere safe . We cannot stop those monsters . ”

“If the Temple has not perished, we believe you can find a way . Think of it as a retreat for the sake of future advancement . Take the King and run!”

The knights each said a thing or two to us, but the King remained silent . Completely absorbed in grief and anger, she quietly sobbed . She couldn’t suppress the feeling of indignation welling up in her .

Jin Sahyuk only stared at the King .

“No, we can stop them . ”

I stretched out Aether and wrapped it around Jin Seyeon and Aileen, pulling them up over the wall . Hiyak— Kyaak— With strange screams, the two of them fell on the floor .

“The only way we can survive is by defeating them . ”

I took out the Desert Eagle . A sharp flash of light shot out from the gun .

The knights looked at me in bewilderment, but I didn’t care . I aimed my gun at the monsters below .

**

Meanwhile, at Yoo Yeonha’s mansion in Seoul .

“Haa… . ”

Yoo Yeonha processed all the papers she had piled up on her desk and buried herself in her chair . Her workload had increased recently because of the Orden Incident . But now that she was finally done, she planned to take tomorrow off .

“Huaaammm… . ”

She yawned and turned on the TV . An interesting show just happened to be on air . It was about the forbidden romance between a low-grade Hero and a Master-rank Hero .

—It doesn’t matter that you’re a low-rank Hero . What matters is that I love you…… Tzzt We have breaking news .

The screen switched and the news came on .

—This is a breaking news report . Orden claims that he has taken multiple Heroes who broke into his territory as hostage .

“…What?”

Yoo Yeonha jumped up and stared the TV screen .

—Although nothing has been confirmed yet, ‘Aileen’, ‘Yi Yongha’, ‘Park Hanho’ from the Temple of Justice, in addition to Master-rank Hero ‘Jin Seyeon’, high-rank Hero ‘Seo Youngji’, high-intermediate-rank Hero ‘Shin Jonghak’, and the S-rank mercenary ‘Fenrir’, are currently held captive according to Orden . Orden demands the Association and the Korean government to… .

At that moment, Yoo Yeonha’s expression froze .

Not only Shin Jonghak, but Kim Hajin as well?

She tilted her head, wondering if she had misheard .

Tiriring—

But at this time, her smartwatch rang . It was solid information from the Association and the government .

[Calling for an emergency meeting . Orden is holding Heroes and a mercenary hostage . ]

And the message clearly contained the names Shin Jonghak and Kim Hajin .

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