Chapter 490
Chapter 490
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 490
Chapter Title: God's Atlantis
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Kang Myeong-jin was targeting a total of four zones this time, planning to conquer and claim control over them all at once.
Zone 6,331: Land of the Enraged Prince.
Zone 6,332: Garden of the Sorrowful Queen.
Zone 6,333: Castle of the Persistent King.
Zone 6,334: Tower of the Sleeping Princess.
Officially, they were tackling three zones, but he intended to conquer the final hidden zone, 'Zone 6,334,' under the pretense of a lucky discovery. The reason was to avoid suspicion. If he knew too much about the hidden zone's details, his comrades might start doubting him.
'That's not the important part.'
What Kang Myeong-jin would gain from dominating these zones could all be handed over to him. All except for one thing: the Sleeping Princess.
'A woman—and a beauty at that—I can't just give her to Kang Myeong-jin.'
So, he had to sneak the Sleeping Princess away. But that came with more than one or two obstacles to overcome.
The biggest problem was that he couldn't break off alone for personal activities. There were no natural opportunities to separate during the conquest. If he forced it, Kang Myeong-jin would grow deeply suspicious of him.
'I need to find a way. Some kind of method.'
???
Kang Myeong-jin pulled a large, worn key from his pocket. The key seemed to glow faintly, and the invisible barrier blocking our path vanished.
That hidden condition meant conquering Zones 6,332 and 6,333 as well.
"Let's get prepared before we go in."
Kang Myeong-jin spoke in a tone even stiffer than usual. Everyone acknowledged it was more efficient, so there were no complaints.
We wrapped our bodies in thick cloth as Kang Myeong-jin had taught us, covering everything except our eyes.
"Ah... I knew it would be like this, but it's really uncomfortable."
Yu Seo-hee, who had favored sexy outfits ever since becoming a succubus, grumbled softly. The thick cloth completely hid her seductive figure.
"...This is still better."
Ju Seo-hyun sighed as she spoke. Lately, she had been wearing high-exposure bunny girl outfits every night.
After donning our prepared clothes and double-checking our gear, we entered Zone 6,331 at Kang Myeong-jin's curt command.
"Let's go."
It was a vast wasteland. But it was far from ordinary. A normal wasteland wouldn't have a river of crimson lava flowing through one side.
The air was so hot it choked us. The temperature around us shot past 40 degrees in an instant.
Part of me wanted to hurl off the thick cloth draped over my body. But that would only make it worse. This cloth blocked the special sunlight.
"......"
Kang Myeong-jin stood still and pulled a compass from his pocket.
I had used it a few times myself, and it wasn't all that great unless you were in a situation like this.
"Bottom left. Form up in an A shape and move."
A formation.
The most basic one.
Kang Myeong-jin, Ji Young-bin, and I took the front line, with Ju Seo-hyun and Lee Min-jeong right behind us. In the rear were Lilsne, Yu Seo-hee, and Yu In-ha.
Lilsne was normally the scout, but she'd shine in the next zone.
"......"
We were silent.
There was time for chit-chat. No monsters in sight, just trudging through the wasteland. But the moment you opened your mouth, scorching air flooded in, and a deep breath would burn your lungs.
"Stop. Spatial shift!"
The space rippled, and the landscape changed. In this zone, the terrain shifted every set interval. The opposite of spatial movement—we stayed put while the space moved around us.
"Master! Which way do we go?!"
Ji Young-bin, the new warrior who had joined with the elf, asked. His eyes on Kang Myeong-jin brimmed with trust and respect.
"The compass... points behind us. Reform the formation and move."
Zone 6,331 was a trial-type zone. Without prior knowledge and preparation, you could wander for days, turning into a withered mummy.
It would be nice if walking solved everything, but monsters lurked here too.
A black boulder suddenly rose from the wasteland.
Stone Golem.
A non-living monster you had to shatter entirely or destroy the core to kill.
But one thing to note: even known monsters could have slight variations per zone.
"Six Stone Golems total. Ji Young-bin, you take the left three. Sung Yu-jin, the right three. Finish them before they group up and get annoying."
"Leave it to me!"
"Got it."
Ji Young-bin and I drew our weapons from our waists. He had a greatsword; I had the Flame Lotus Sword. We uncapped our canteens, poured cold water over our blades, and charged the black Stone Golems.
'Good timing. I was getting bored just walking. Die!'
My blade sliced through the Stone Golem's body like tofu. Their weakness was the cold water on the edge.
I dispatched mine in seconds and glanced at Ji Young-bin. He was slower. Unlike my light, agile style, he fought heavy and sturdy. Opposite approaches.
"Good work, both of you."
"Haha, it was nothing!"
Ji Young-bin beamed at Kang Myeong-jin's praise, while I just shrugged it off.
???
Four hours into traversing Zone 6,331.
We took a break. Proper rest revitalized the mind and body.
I used the chance to approach Rasnel, who was tending her bow.
Rasnel usually holed up in her room or was hard to run into outside. Even if you approached, she'd slip away quickly. No escape here.
I pictured her signature golden hair and slim figure hidden under the thick cloth and spoke.
"We've known each other for a while now, but this is the first time we've talked in a situation like this, Lilsne."
"...I have nothing to say to you."
Lilsne was cold not just to me, but to everyone. In A-Plan Legion, Kang Myeong-jin was the only one she really talked to.
"Come on, we're legionmates. A little chat should be fine."
Maybe sensing I wouldn't back down easily, she fell silent for a moment before replying.
"...I'm not interested in that 'little chat.' What do you want from me?"
"No special reason... just curious. There were no elves in our world."
"Hah. Being an elf doesn't make us that different. Humans, elves—we're just intelligent races."
Her prickly attitude irked me briefly, but the cloth over my face hid it. Good thing.
I racked my brain for a way to keep the conversation going.
"You joined A-Plan Legion at Myeong-jin's invitation, right? Honestly, I can't trust you, Lilsne."
"Is that so? The feeling's mutual, so let's just ignore each other."
Her green eyes remained indifferent.
"...If we can't trust each other, shouldn't we build that trust? We're legionmates, and we'll have to watch each other's backs plenty in the future."
"A common misconception. Joining the same legion doesn't make us family. I joined for fair compensation from Master Kang Myeong-jin, that's all."
"So... to you, the legion is just business?"
"Yes. Exactly. I'm trying to rest, so leave me alone? Unproductive talk is a waste of mental and physical energy—especially now."
True, speaking let hot air into your body, which sucked. But I didn't want to waste this chance to talk to Lilsne.
"Fair point, I wasn't considering the situation. Here, take this."
"...Pulling a frozen canteen from your pocket... a subspace pocket?"
Lilsne eyed it warily but snatched it quickly and tucked it into her bosom. The ice would melt fast, but it'd cool her for a bit.
"No. It's one of my abilities. Not an innate trait, though."
"An ability to make water? No, then you couldn't make the canteen. What is it?"
"Curious about my ability, huh."
"...No. That was a slip. I'll gratefully use the canteen."
Lilsne stood up. Probably to escape more questions.
"I'd like to chat more with you, Lilsne. Would you talk if I paid?"
Jingle jingle.
I shook a money pouch in front of her. 10,000 pennies inside—a huge sum for a short talk. Her green eyes locked onto it, following as I swung it right.
"...Talking itself reveals information. Fine. You'll pay, so I'll humor you briefly."
Lilsne grabbed the pouch tightly, gauging the amount.
"About 10,000 pennies. I'll talk exactly that long."
"Haha... You really like money, Lilsne."
"I trust money. You can't do everything with it, but most things, yes."
"How old are you? Your voice sounds young... and it's hard to guess an elf's age from looks."
"24. Don't use informal speech just because you're older. I don't care about Korean customs like respecting elders."
"Got it. Mind if I ask what you're saving for?"
"That's worth more than 10,000 pennies."
Meaning no answer. I fired off random questions.
"...Favorite food?"
"I eat anything... but expensive is better. And that's it for the talk."
"What? I haven't even asked a few more."
"Including the earlier chat, that's over 10,000 pennies."
Lilsne left without hesitation.
'...Chase her and pay more to keep talking?'
After careful thought, I decided against it. Forcing it might just breed resentment.
I got up and headed toward Yu Seo-hee and Ju Seo-hyun.
???
Six hours later, we escaped the wasteland and entered the next zone.
It was a beautifully manicured garden. Vibrant flowers and lush trees artfully shaped.
Unlike the wasteland, the temperature was normal. We immediately shed our thick cloth outfits. Fresh air inhalation sounds echoed everywhere.
"Myeong-jin."
I called out to Kang Myeong-jin, who was stoically surveying the garden. He turned to me.
"What's up?"
"Gotta hit the bathroom real quick. ...Well, no bathrooms here, so I'll handle it behind those trees over there. Wait about five minutes."
"Take your time. We're resting here for 20 minutes to prep for conquest."
"Five's plenty. Not dealing with constipation that bad."
I headed behind some trees, a bit away from the group. Luckily, this entrance area only had normal plants nearby.
'Sleeping Princess. If I can't get her myself, I can have someone else do it.'
I had someone more reliable than anyone.
'Yuria.'
[Character Summon: Target - Yuria Grace]
[Yuria Grace's remaining summon duration: 30 days]
A maid appeared before me, wearing a gentle smile.