Chapter 608 – The Epoch of Ascendancy

If history, long and unwavering, ever concludes, it might very well be due to a calamity such as this.

With each report of defeat in the ensuing city skirmishes, the Association had no choice but to drink the bitter draught of failure.

“Life signs are fading, one by one.”

Twenty minutes. The time it took for the punitive squads, scattered like waypoints throughout Seoul, to be eradicated. At each new report, the headquarters’ forces could only exhale sighs of desolation.

“Even Commander Ji Seok-hoon… a bitter laugh. Damn.”

“The losses of the Mage Tower’s combat forces alone are staggering… What in the world are the other nations doing?”

Hunters, divided among various ranks, were never lowly figures in this society.

Even those who merely attained Class A were formidable, possessing a strength most could only dream of.

But what of their adversaries?

The monstrous aberrations and tendrils that easily surpass them are akin to the upper echelons of Class A Hunters, each and every one of them. How can they mass-produce a power that ordinarily demands a lifetime of effort? The Hunters, feeble in the face of these encroaching beasts, could only gaze on in futility. The power emanating from those creatures was all too familiar to them.

“The World Tree… Why bestow upon us such a trial?”

The eschatologist speaks.

This is divine retribution aimed at the Hunters, tainted by their own greed. The power these creatures exude is eerily similar to the sacred essence of the World Tree, so much so that it evokes such a thought.

Only, it emits less light than divine power and seems consumed by darkness. This altered, yet identical divine power was in no way comparable to the artificial version possessed by the wooden creatures.

“Everyone, regain your senses!”

A priestess, brandishing her staff, hollered.

“If we fall here, all that remains is an actual apocalypse. The Seven Knights of Spectral Colors, personally descended from the World Tree, are on their way here… Before long, the World Tree itself will surely make its presence known.”

God’s army, who have radiated light amidst countless disasters, are well known to the Hunters for their divine power, as they have materialized numerous times.

In the present conflict against the Flower, divine manifestations have been so frequent on the front lines that the name of God seems to have lost its luster. Even though doubting divine assistance is nothing short of blasphemy.

“…So, can we win?”

Familiarity breeds a certain kind of fear in humans, occasionally manifesting as stark dread.

We believed because we could not see God. The moment we comprehended its power, we compared that power to other entities, and sometimes, we even attempted to quantify it.

Despite having survived by relying on the power of the World Tree, we now feel the magnitude of that power externally. The seasoned Hunters instinctively understood the range of power this catastrophe held.

“…”

The priestess found herself speechless. Her faith, a flickering candle, seemed to lose its light. The one to mediate this verbal conflict was the person holding the reins of this situation.

“Everyone, silence.”

Perhaps, the most crucial commander in this war.

[Chair of the Guild], Hanbyeol subdued the surrounding discontent with a harsh gaze. The hunters, accustomed to her playful displays and laughter, now found themselves overpowered by her transformation, holding their breath in silent awe.

At this moment, it was fair to conclude that Korea was under the control of the stars.

The fissure in the sky was an ominous sign, and the political strife that erupted abruptly was ruthlessly suppressed by a dictator. Whispers of a military coup echoed, yet in this instant, none dared to defy the edicts of the stars.

The reason she effortlessly seized control of the Republic of Korea was apparent. The influential figures of every faction had perished abruptly, and in Mugung’s testament, Hanbyeol’s abilities were extolled. Additionally, she offered the most logical and pragmatic solution to the current societal issues, a crucial factor in her ascension.

“Hold the line.”

As the monstrous front was on the brink of engulfing the metropolitan area, Hanbyeol, standing on the front lines, issued her command in a low, resonant voice.

The decision to abandon the city was hers. The strategy to surround the metropolitan area with all available forces was also her call.

Had Mugung’s disposition been even slightly less radical, and if Hanbyeol had not adopted his will, the victims of the calamity would undoubtedly have multiplied exponentially.

Despite incurring astronomical losses, Hanbyeol managed to evacuate civilians. There were moments when she faced such peril that it seemed she would be swallowed whole by a mob of protestors, but…

“Yes, Madam Chair.”

Perhaps it is in times of destiny that heroes rise.

Her talents as a superhuman, she believed, had reached their zenith. Yet her latent charisma and determination, previously lacking, now shone brilliantly. The potential that had been dormant within Hanbyeol had blossomed.

“Is the response artifact prepared?”

“The extermination units in the city perished, but they’ve gathered information. We’re rapidly implementing it. It may be crude, but within a few hours, the response artifact will be produced… As for how long it will take to entirely turn the tables…”

“…I will maintain the front line, so make it as fast as you can. Always remember, you hold our lives in your hands.”

“Yes!”

Director of Artifact Research and Management. Lee Hae-seok pounded his chest at Hanbyeol’s words and shouted.

So far, when disaster struck, they had devised weapons of war to exploit its weaknesses, acting as a kind of military vaccine. They were an elite team, the brightest minds among millions.

In addition, all the weapons that Mugung had meticulously crafted were poised on the front line to combat the impending disaster.

Despite the strides in magic, they had invented armor for a future era.

‘Is it starting?’

Nearly all the people had been evacuated, and the life signs ahead were barely visible. Hanbyeol lifted her hand to signal.

The beginning of the counterattack.

She used the valuable information and time provided by the extermination unit effectively.

– Fire!!!

At the distant sound of a shout, countless weapons that had been on standby spewed fire.

The projectiles that filled the sky descended upon the advancing monsters. The front line, located on the outskirts of the metropolitan area, was significantly free from the influence of the ‘branches’.

The weapons, too, were free. They could unleash their fearsome firepower.

– Kwaang!

Flames engulf. The bodies of the ancient trees crumble to dust and fall. The monsters, previously advancing in oblivious terror, suddenly shrink back, and a glimmer of hope flickers in the hunters’ eyes.

At least, the weapons that are currently buying us time are superior to any other weaponry in this world.

【 Squeeeak! 】

The charging branches retreat, aflame. A chorus of cheers and resentment reverberates across the front lines.

It’s been sufficiently proven that we can eradicate those monsters as well.

‘The problem is the main body.’

The national trees that shine as a beacon, the S-class hunters that can be counted on one hand, and the extermination squad, primarily composed of deities. If we fail to fell the main body, these monsters could be generated infinitely.

‘… Perhaps that’s the case.’

Though this remains unproven, a commander must always prepare for the worst scenario.

Believing that merely shelling from a distance can halt those maniacs would be a grave mistake.

– Boom!!!

Then, a tree absorbs the impact of a shell and is cleaved in two. This happened just over an hour ago.

“It seems to have built up a resistance.”
“I think so too.”

Response is not just for the wooden soldiers. The opposing side is also constantly adapting, studying our countermeasures.

“Heh. Those damn Zerg-like bastards.”

The fate of a gamer doesn’t disappear. Even amid this chaos, I find myself thinking of a certain RTS game, which is quite vexing. Alien life-forms that ceaselessly evolve to toy with their adversaries.

Coincidentally, the primary species of the stars was human. And they had a player on par with a professional gamer.

“After a bit more reconnaissance, prepare the shells with the next attribute.”

The iron wall of the stars had completely thwarted the army’s advance.

– Tring.

Then, a call rings out.

‘… What?’

Se-Young pulls out her walkie-talkie, looking perplexed. She has over a dozen contacts on the battlefield, but the one stored in her right pocket is reserved for personal use.

“Se-Young, what’s wrong?”
[… Something big happened.]

Se-Young, skipping formalities, yells in a voice filled with urgency.

[Shiba has disappeared. Check the location tracker.]

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

I am aware.

I understand that I still lack the power to face the disaster.

“……”

In Japan, Shiba, who had secured a place in the imperial household, pauses as she’s about to scoop up food into her mouth. A smartphone lies on her thigh, still awaiting a call.

‘I can’t go.’

Unable to deny the requests of my mothers and aunt, I found myself ensnared.

This was a catastrophe of an entirely different caliber. A fact only discernible due to Shiba’s skill, akin to a national treasure. An oppressive aura was palpable.

Even here, on this island nation, we trembled in fear.

‘…’

Shiba couldn’t bear the melancholy. Her clenched hand, a testament to her inner turmoil, was gently stroked by her mother.

“Beep…?”
“My daughter…”

The soothing presence of Dallae, who had raised Shiba for many years, enveloped her in a tender embrace.

“Why aren’t you eating?”
“…I’ve lost my appetite.”
“Is it because of your friend?”
“It’s not just that…”

Then, what was the true cause?

As if melting under Dallae’s warm inquiry, Shiba’s gloom only deepened.

“I feel powerless. It’s so hard.”

Shiba yearned for strength. She had defied her mother’s opposition to attend the academy, making a name for herself. She had bolted into danger to save others when told to flee. Her actions were always guided by a singular principle.

‘I can’t bear to lose anyone precious to me again.’

A personal sentiment anyone could harbor. The agony of loss was a pain so severe it felt like death.

‘…I don’t want to inflict such a wound on anyone else.’

And so, she clung to a dream she’d harbored since childhood.

Shiba had lost her father at a young age. Even now, she could still feel the profound love he must have held for her.

She had watched countless battles unfold before her, striving fiercely to grow amidst the turmoil.

Her child’s body matured in the blink of an eye, and with it came adult thoughts. Although her wounds had healed, their scars spurred on Shiba’s dreams.

‘I…’

Shiba,
She abhorred the thought of losing.

There were unrepentant villains in the world, who stole from the innocent. Sometimes, their actions twisted those whose intentions were pure.

【I’m sorry, Dad.】

Shiba recognized the man from her dreams. His face, cradled in her arms, weeping without the ability to express his tender heart to anyone.

As he caressed her cheek, his expression overflowed with love. A person who seemed incapable of losing his affections, no matter the circumstances.

“Shiba?”
“…Mom.”
“Yes?”
“If I say I truly want to become a Hunter. How would that make you feel?”
“Why would you say that?”

For several nights, Shiba had heard her mother’s sobs, echoing through the running water. She knew she hadn’t seen her father since that day. She understood the shock of parting with a loved one.

The excruciating pain that grew within her heart fostered Shiba’s resolve.

A brilliant, white light.
The heart of a wounded child, possessing the traits of a hero.

“…I would support you, my daughter. I may feel a touch of sadness if you were hurt, but…”

Her mother, too, had suffered greatly. As had her aunt, her second mother… Perhaps even her father, on the verge of leaving her.

Shiva was acutely aware of the emotion.

[I… I fear I may have spoken too bleakly. It was disturbing, wasn’t it?]

That day was no different. She conversed with Camellia in a dim room.
Her first friend’s voice was wounded and teetering on the brink of shattering.

[Did you not purchase too much?]

A junior, part of the same Cotyledon team, and her third friend, Bam, mirrored this.
Her face, appearing strained from the daily grind, was awash with fatigue.

[You bear a resemblance to my daughter.]

The man who had been her second friend, who offered counsel… was no different.

All were the same.

‘Sir…’

Shiva found it impossible to tranquilize her tumultuous thoughts.
The distant magic and presence she perceived were strikingly akin to what she knew.

Despite the sinking feeling. The hint of a dreadful suspicion.
And Shiva’s intuition was nearly always accurate.

Why had such a gentle and compliant person become so distorted?

– Thump.

Shiva found herself at the crossroads of her growth.
Caught between not wanting to hurt her mother as a daughter and desiring to aid others.
These two thoughts clashed and tangled, their voices escalating in a mad crescendo.

I yearn to be a daughter my father can be proud of.
Just like the father my mother described,

Shiva couldn’t alleviate the resentment brimming within her. She could only endeavor to swallow the heated breaths and tears.

– Ding.

【 The Main Quest has been dispatched. 】
【 MainQuest 3. Rescue the King. 】

At that moment, the status window, which she thought had been dormant for a while, emerged radiating light.

With dazed eyes, Shiva briefly read the lines that appeared.
For some reason, it was whiter and clearer than the status window she remembered.
The translucent window was comforting, reminiscent of a mother’s embrace, and as soft as a maiden’s bosom.

“…beep.”

Without a moment’s hesitation to weigh the pros and cons, Shiva’s decision was swiftly made.

– Do you accept? (Y/N)

After finishing her meal, she returned to her room and moved her hand to press ‘Y’.
It was a recklessly irresponsible decision for a warrior who was still so young.