Declaration of War
Declaration of War
A corner of the Three Great Families.
The territory of Taesan, called the breadbasket of the world, had been swallowed by spatial isolation.
The world's attention focusing on it was only natural.
And the moment the spatial isolation was undone, the information released reached the opposite side of the globe in an instant.
[A territory turned into a land of death. A battlefield where the living and the dead intermingle.]
[Association "Temporarily closes Seoul Gate Terminal" — only strategic supplies and support personnel will be processed.]
[Food security "shaken" — will the world's granary close its doors?]
Calamity had struck the isolated Taesan territory.
From a land with no buried corpses, the undead endlessly rose. The living who died upon that soil spontaneously became undead and wandered.
The world recoiled in horror at a phenomenon unseen even in the Demon Realm.
Amidst predictions that the Taesan family would suspend all exports, dire news came flying in.
[The spatial isolation enveloping the Taesan family territory. The cause is, once again, a Tower.]
Those who saw that headline could only gape and click their tongues.
It wasn't a bad reaction.
After all, it was a Tower. A Tower could lay claim to the territory it lorded over.
The heavenly fortune that had visited the Azure Sea had followed to Taesan. Rumors even spread that perhaps a Tower might rise in the Calamity Flame territory as well.
Jokes would've remained — that the progenitors of the Three Great Families were also prodigies of real estate investment...
If there hadn't been an announcement that followed.
[A Tower that came from the Outer World.]
[It isn't an Unconquered Tower... A Tower manifested in the Taesan territory. The invasion of what the Association has designated the 'Tower of the Dead.']
[The same goes for the Changhae family. The war that occurred within the isolated space, under what the Association has designated the 'Tower of Bitter Cold.']
The moment the information was reported, the flow of the world ground to a halt.
Office workers hurrying to work stopped in their tracks. Busy hands froze.
They reread the articles dozens of times with blank expressions, but the content did not change.
The Tower born in the Taesan territory... the Tower of the Dead had a master.
That Tower Master was an outer-realm entity, and it had initiated an invasion with clear intent. It was the cause of the spatial isolation and the calamity that had befallen the Taesan territory.
The same applied to the Changhae family.
A Tower designated the Tower of Bitter Cold, and its Tower Master, had launched an invasion.
Two invasions from the Outer World, occurring with staggeringly little time between them.
The world was turned on its head by news of two invasions striking out of a clear blue sky.
...That simple phrase couldn't begin to cover it.
This was the modern era — an age that lived within the blessing of the Towers.
People had grown so accustomed they passed it by without thought, but who didn't know that the Towers' power was so vast it defied measurement?
And above all, the aftershocks of the invading Towers had been roughly gauged by the public.
[Climate cooling confirmed across the Asian region... the influence of the Tower of Bitter Cold.]
Under the influence of the Tower of Bitter Cold, the climate across the Asian region had cooled.
The already frigid Changhae territory saw its temperatures drop further, while neighboring regions experienced a precipitous plunge.
[Amplified emergence of monsters and undead in waters around the Korean Peninsula... dozens of times the normal scale.]
Monsters and undead swarmed under the influence of the Tower of the Dead.
With the spatial isolation of the Taesan territory undone, the influence of the Authority of the Dead and its yin energy had begun to gradually seep into the surrounding area.
In particular, the undead teeming within the sea held the potential to spread across the world by riding the ocean currents.
Those who heard the news shuddered at the might displayed by the invading Towers.
It had barely been a few days since the invasions began, yet the damage was already manifesting on a global scale.
[Global anxiety index skyrockets.]
["A second Chaos Period is coming? The chaos might surpass even that."]
Turmoil spread across the world.
The turmoil bred anxiety, and terror swelled fiercely. Fear beyond a certain threshold triggers impulsive, irrational behavior.
At last, even faint seeds of distrust toward the existing Towers began to sprout.
The Association, which had released the information, had naturally anticipated such a turn.
What a terrified populace truly needed was hope — something to free them from anxiety and fear.
For eras of chaos and war have always called for a hero.
[The Tower the Association has designated the Tower of Bitter Cold. We announce that the Tower Master who led this invasion has been temporarily suppressed by Hero Lee Ha-yul.]
[The Tower the Association has designated the Tower of the Dead. We announce that the Tower Master who led this invasion has been completely subjugated by Hero Lee Ha-yul.]
The Association had a hero they could hold up proudly before the people.
.
.
.
[#Trending][A compilation of Hero Lee Ha-yul's achievements.]
1. Suppression of the unprecedented chain dungeon rampage at Sipnaha.
2. Subjugation of the reanimated Twin-headed Poison Dragon that emerged in China.
3. Central figure in the suppression of the Association-recognized catastrophe, the 'Reverse Side.'
4. Subjugation of the marine-type 3rd-Rank Alpha monster that emerged in the Changhae territory.
5. (NEW) Repelled the invasion of the Association-designated 'Tower of Bitter Cold' and temporarily suppressed its Tower Master.
6. (NEW) Repelled the invasion of the Association-designated 'Tower of the Dead' and subjugated its Tower Master.
[Comments]
- A fact people don't know well: Hero Lee Ha-yul is currently a 2nd-year Siyoram cadet.
└A cadet... you say...?
└Kyaaaah!
└By cadet standards, this is absolutely insane.
└Please don't hold us to that standard...
└If you threw him in with active heroes, he still wouldn't fit, goddammit.
└He's not just a cadet, he's a Special Admission Cadet... and the Association Presidents' proxy...
- So you're saying he's a superhuman who only awakened two years ago?
└Bullshit, who's gonna believe that lolol.
[But seeing as it was over in a few days][2,351]
Wasn't it actually not that big of a deal???
[Comments]
- You crazy bastard.
- Are your eyes not registering how the climate of East Asia got completely wrecked in those few days?
- It only ended up that way because it was the Azure Sea and Taesan. If it had landed anywhere else, entire continents would've been obliterated, you dumbass lololololol.
└But because it fell on the Taesan family, fruit prices got normalized, goddammit!!!!
- Agh, shit! Presidents' proxy, sir! I didn't say anything, agh!!!!
[From the Observation Corps: Over 3,500 estimated 4th-Rank undead entities observed within the Taesan territory.][4,531]
Yeah, that's what they say.
[Comments]
- Are my eyes broken lololol...
└The kind of bastards that can smash a city if you drop one wrong, and we're talking four digits lolololol.
└Even in my nightmares, I wouldn't see numbers like that, dammit.
- Observation Corps additional info: Over 30 estimated 3rd-Rank undead entities observed.
└Fuck, is this Earth's extinction day?
└FYI: Every single one of those undead, leaders included, got cut down by Lee Ha-yul.
└Bow!!! You address him as Hero Lee Ha-yul!
└FYI: Every single one of those undead, leaders included, got cut down by Hero Lee Ha-yul.
└Oh, they actually corrected it.
The hero-making propaganda for Lee Ha-yul was a success.
Actually, even the phrase 'hero-making propaganda' was a bit off the mark.
Because the achievements Lee Ha-yul had accomplished were real.
There was no need for exaggeration. Simply conveying the truth calmly was more than enough — it overflowed.
[My head's seriously spinning...][1,053]
Outer World? A Tower Master invades our world < Fear.
One Tower Master wrecks the climate on a global scale, the other rolls in with dozens of 3rd-Rank undead and thousands of 4th-Rank undead < Terrifying as hell.
All those bastards got absolutely slaughtered by Lee Ha-yul (2nd-year Siyoram cadet, superhuman in his 2nd year since awakening, pretty) < ???
[Comments]
- My head's genuinely spinning this morning.
└Our department head's gone blank and is just looking up articles. Is that normal?
└Honestly, anyone going around uninterested is the abnormal one rn.
[Breaking News) Spirits darting busily across the Taesan territory...]
(Three spirits — fire, water, and wind — flying across the sky and fading into the distance) - Video
(Dozens of spirits flying swiftly toward somewhere) - Video
High-ranking spirits are moving in groups and cleaning up the undead.
[Comments]
- ???
- What the hell is this now, goddamn.
The people lauded Lee Ha-yul's great deeds and washed away their fear and anxiety.
In truth, the news that an invading Tower had been repelled and its Tower Master even subjugated played a major role.
[Discernment and Foresight]
(Special Admission Cadet Lee Ha-yul Selection News Article) - Photo
(Lee Ha-yul Association President Proxy Announcement Article) - Photo
(Observation Unit Chief Observer's Full Endorsement Article) - Photo
(Tower of Bitter Cold and Tower of the Dead Invasion Repulsion Article) - Photo
[Comments]
-We worship you...
[Just shut up and worship][76,327]
(The 100th Birth Festival, Tower of Growth with Spring Fireworks in the Background) - Photo
(Tower of Harmonization and Tower of Space with Clear Skies in the Background) - Photo
(A Part of the Revealed Tower of Observation) - Photo
The "first and only" Special Admission Cadet since Siyoram's founding < You think it's a coincidence they entered last year?
Pray to the Tower Masters.
[Comments]
-We worship you.
-Ahh, Tower Masters...
-(It's all thanks to the Tower Masters anyway emoji)
└(This is also by the grace of the Tower Masters emoji)
└(It's all thanks to the Tower Masters! emoji)
└(Worship towards the Towers emoji)
In the process, worship continued for the Tower Masters who discovered Lee Ha-yul and brought him into Siyoram.
A being brought in by the Tower Masters to prepare for an outer-world invasion.
Bluntly put, a war weapon. Nicely packaged, a hero ordained by the Tower Masters.
Various media outlets and internet platforms are reporting him as the latter.
Thanks to that, Lee Ha-yul's fame skyrocketed with every second.
'A hero.'
That word was never wrong.
How many lives were saved by Lee Ha-yul's actions this time?
An incalculable number, surely. A great man worthy of being called a hero.
"...So they say, Tower Master."
Hong Yeon-hwa murmured, having scanned the materials sent by her family. Frowning, she turned to Ariel.
"Yes, as the Association has reported."
"So Ha-yul really is a hero you guys set up?"
"He is."
The moment Ariel answered, she felt the gazes upon her sharpen. She nodded heavily in response.
It was a natural reaction.
How many would respond well to being told they raised someone precious just to throw them headlong into battle?
The Tower Masters appointed Lee Ha-yul as the Savior.
They intended for his growth. The end goal was to oppose an invading Tower Master.
Though there was the excuse that they would face annihilation without Lee Ha-yul, the sin of forcing him into battle did not disappear.
So Ariel could only endure it. She steeled herself, prepared to be cursed at as much as necessary.
"How could you push a child like this into battle..."
"......"
Hong Yeon-hwa, who had been glaring sharply at Ariel, looked down.
Ariel's expression clouded over as she followed her gaze.
"*Snore...*"
...Lee Ha-yul, hailed as a hero. De-aged, he lay sound asleep on the bedding.
No matter how one looked, he was just an adorable child.
Who would ever believe it?
That this child was the hero who repelled the Tower Master of Bitter Cold and killed the Tower Master of the Dead in a head-on clash...
Hong Yeon-hwa, patting the bellies of the two Lee Ha-yuls covered by a blanket, shot Ariel another glare.
The gazes of the others were harsh as well.
"...Tch..."
[The Tower Master of Harmonization keeps her mouth firmly shut.]
Under the gazes that bored into her heart like an awl, Ariel swallowed hard and got to work.
- *Thud!*
A Golem produced at the outskirts of the Floating Island. As the Floating Island crossed an optimal location, the wind-wreathed Golem touched down on the ground.
Then, the Soldier Golems would follow the Commander Golem to subjugate the undead and seek places in need of aid.
With various restrictions lifted, they could offer at least this small amount of help.
"Mmm... mmm..."
It was while Ariel was working under those disapproving gazes... ...that one of the two soundly sleeping Lee Ha-yuls, the Soul Lee Ha-yul, suddenly furrowed his brow and squirmed.
"Hmm? What's wrong? Does it hurt?"
The hand that had been patting his belly now cupped Lee Ha-yul's cheek. The eyes that had been glaring at Ariel softened, brimming with affection.
It seemed his complexion improved at her touch, but soon he let out a fussing sound.
Before long, even the Physical Body Lee Ha-yul was affected and began to wriggle.
In the end, Hong Yeon-hwa carefully took the Soul Lee Ha-yul into her arms.
She made to pick up the Physical Body Lee Ha-yul as well, but Lee Ha-sol, who was closer, swiftly scooped him up first.
"Ah."
"...Tch."
"It's uncomfortable holding both at once, isn't it?"
The eyes of the women who missed their chance grew sharp. Hong Yeon-hwa clicked her tongue for no particular reason and resettled Lee Ha-yul in her arms.
"There, there, such a good boy... Shall we sleep in mommy's arms?"
Hong Yeon-hwa cooed and soothed Lee Ha-yul with practiced ease.
It was a skill that had somehow surpassed mastery. The fussing Lee Ha-yul soon buried his face in Hong Yeon-hwa's chest and quieted down.
Lee Ha-sol's side was the same. As she gently soothed the Lee Ha-yul in her arms, he buried his face in her chest and breathed out softly in sleep.
Their handling and soothing touches were exceptionally practiced. It seemed to be thanks to all their experience caring for the young Lee Ha-yul.
Hong Yeon-hwa glanced over at Lee Ha-sol and shrugged.
"Well, seems like he just wanted to be held while sleeping."
Didn't seem like feeding time yet. Though it was about that time soon anyway, so she'd have to nurse him shortly.
Having diagnosed the cause of his fussiness, Hong Yeon-hwa let out a small chuckle.
A warm maternal love radiated from Hong Yeon-hwa as she stroked Lee Ha-yul's head.
"So, Tower Master. When will our child wake up? Is there anything we can do to help?"
Hong Yeon-hwa asked Ariel, pressing her cheek to Lee Ha-yul's head.
Ariel, who had been watching somewhat enviously, thought for a moment before shaking her head.
"Lord Savior... The reason Lee Ha-yul fell into a deep sleep is that he forcibly modified his soul. The restoration of a soul is not something where external interference can produce a good outcome."
"His soul."
It was a truly abstruse concept even for superhumans.
But the part about modification—everyone here could understand that.
While fighting that giant snake whelp, Lee Ha-yul had taken the form of a dragon, not a human.
'Shit, how do you even mess with a soul to change your species?'
Hong Yeon-hwa's expression hardened unconsciously. A soul wasn't clay—who did he think he was, talking about messing with it like this or that?
Even without much knowledge about souls, it was clearly an utterly insane thing to do.
"It was insanity."
The Tower Master of Knowledge also vouched that what Lee Ha-yul did while fighting the snake whelp was madness.
"When he wakes up, I really have to give him a piece of my mind..."
Hong Yeon-hwa murmured as if to steel herself, but honestly, she wasn't confident.
Her heart tended to grow so weak against the de-aged Lee Ha-yul.
As the Tower Master of Knowledge nearby had mentioned, wasn't Lee Ha-yul being pushed into fighting against his will?
Fighting battles he didn't particularly want, saving countless people, and then coming back alive only to be scolded harshly... It felt a bit too cruel.
'But no, shit. Even so, stabbing himself in the chest and nearly dying—that was crossing the line.'
The anger she had barely kept in check boiled back up. When she thought about that moment, it still...
"Still, I have to scold him to take care of his body..."
- *Flinch*
A small tremor echoed from within her arms.
Even with her sharp senses, it was a tremor so faint she might have missed it—but because it was related to 'Lee Ha-yul,' she noticed it immediately.
It wasn't just Hong Yeon-hwa; everyone did.
Hong Yeon-hwa blinked a few times, then beamed.
"Did you wake up?"
"......."
"Baby? If you're awake, you should say something."
The Lee Ha-yul in her arms trembled faintly.
Hong Yeon-hwa's words were scarier than any Word Command spat out by the Tower Master of the Dead...