Chapter 492
Chapter 492
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 492
Chapter Title: Secret (1)
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Current time: around 3 p.m.
It was far too early for our usual drink, so we met up at a café and were chatting there.
'No, even if the timing had been right, we couldn't drink now anyway.'
With survival in the Otherworld's front lines looming, getting drunk instead of optimizing our condition would be a foolish choice.
Unless we were suicidal types who had completely given up from the start.
"We've still got quite a bit of time before the transfer. I awakened right after waking up for work... around 6 a.m., roughly."
"...I see."
The transfer to the Otherworld happens 24 hours after awakening.
In other words, Kang Taesan only had until 6 a.m. the next morning.
"I called you right after I woke up from passing out post-awakening. After that... I just went to work."
"Went to work? In this situation?"
"No choice. I'm a civil servant, you know. An agent in the Ability Management Bureau's Crime Investigation Division, at that. Gotta report to the higher-ups and give my colleagues a heads-up."
Kang Taesan frowned, sighing softly about wasting precious hours on unnecessary reporting procedures.
Anyone else would have ditched work the moment they realized they'd awakened.
But his job left him no choice.
"Got it. So you've said your goodbyes to all your acquaintances?"
"Yeah. For those not super close, a simple message should do."
"What about Grandma? Does she know? About your awakening?"
"......"
He clamped his mouth shut at my question.
His expression darkened instantly, belying his previous nonchalant demeanor.
His reaction said it all.
He probably hadn't told her properly yet, worried she'd be shocked.
"Hey, Taesan. You know dragging this out won't do you any favors."
"Sigh, I know. After we're done talking, I'll spend the whole day with Grandma. The Bureau gave me a full kit of essentials for pre-transfer awakeners, so no more prep needed."
Kang Taesan patted the large carry-on beside him.
It was packed with top-tier gear—bulletproof and blade-resistant clothing, weapons, combat rations—all far superior to civilian market stuff.
Perks of the job, apparently.
"...Right."
And of course,
my expression watching him wasn't great either.
It wasn't just pity for his forced composure.
'...So how should I handle this?'
A brief silence fell as we sipped our drinks.
I glanced at Kang Taesan while drinking, my lips twitching.
'Should I just tell him first? From where to where?'
Pretending not to know and glossing over it would be easy.
A simple "I'll look after Grandma, so don't worry and come back safe" would suffice.
'But that limits how much I can help him survive and return. To really assist, I have to reveal some cards.'
The Otherworld was no joke—a deadly zone.
Exhibit A: the abysmal 20% average return rate!
Sure, some opted to settle there, but the risk of instant death from a moment's carelessness remained.
'Even I nearly died multiple times...'
Without Avatar, I wouldn't be here now.
I couldn't picture Taesan surviving crises like mine.
'No matter how promising his awakened Unique Skill's name sounds.'
I used the Analysis skill borrowed from Hubert to peek at Kang Taesan's status.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ Kang Taesan Ability Management Bureau Crime Investigation Division agent. Harbors strong hatred for ability-related crimes; recently recognized by superiors. Confused by sudden awakening. Worried about leaving grandmother alone. Upset over canceled date with office lady due to Otherworld transfer. 🔥 Abilities: 「Indomitable」 ⭐ Key Traits: Unyielding Faith, Tenacious Will, Devoted Family Love, Excellent Combat Talent, Extraordinary Mental Prowess, Superior Physical Ability ❤️ Trust: 94% Was it the divinity growing in real-time? Or did his awakening trigger some condition?
New details appeared in my analysis that hadn't before.
That 'Abilities' entry must be his newly awakened Unique Skill.
'「Indomitable(不撓不屈)」... Neither yielding nor bending. Resistance-type ability? Hard to grasp how it'll play out yet.'
Even if the ability was overpowered, it wouldn't change much right away.
A newbie's fresh Unique Skill was still just that.
'Yeah, no plans to hide forever anyway. Time to open up a bit.'
My divinity distanced me from normal humans, but Kang Taesan was special regardless.
The symbol of my last 'normal daily life'—the friend who stuck by me through the darkest times, keeping me from crumbling.
'Repay kindness with kindness; that's human decency.'
Without him, I'd have broken when left truly alone.
Might've even ended it all.
This was nothing compared to that debt.
"Hey, Taesan."
"...Huh? What? Why the sudden serious tone?"
Decision made, my tangled thoughts cleared neatly.
Maybe I'd obsessed too much over hiding my identity.
"Still got time, right?"
My mindset shift subtly altered the air around me.
From vague hermit to awakening dragon, poised to soar.
"...Well, yeah. Why? What's up?"
Kang Taesan swallowed involuntarily at my abrupt change, asking cautiously.
I met his gaze, chuckled, and extended my hand.
"Since we're here, lemme share a secret."
He'd be shocked, for sure.
But I trusted he'd understand.
"Follow me."
We're friends bound by shared pain, advancing together.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Kang Taesan gaped in disbelief.
"What the...?"
He scanned around, letting out hollow laughs.
No wonder.
Moments ago, they were in central Seoul; now, inside a mansion over ten kilometers out.
"Heard of this, but... in the blink of an eye."
No car or modern transport.
Pure mystery—spatial transfer magic, notoriously finicky for casters.
Impressive enough, but what stunned him most was deeper.
His best friend, thought to be ordinary like him, had cast it.
"You've already awakened? How? When?"
After Han Seonghyeon suddenly shifted aura decisively, they left the café.
Into a deserted alley.
Then events that made Kang Taesan doubt his eyes.
'Detoured via his old villa, leaped space instantly to here. Spatial abilities are beyond most ability users.'
Yet his 'normal' friend pulled it off effortlessly.
Unbelievable.
'How? Is this really Seonghyeon? An imposter...?'
Common knowledge: Otherworld returns average just over a year, minimum months.
But his regularly-contacted friend was a seasoned returnee?
He even visited in person every 1-2 weeks!
"...What? Allies?"
The answer to his doubts left him floored.
Too absurd from a longtime friend.
"Masquerade? That Masquerade? With unknown powerhouses like Hwahweol and Phantom?"
Masquerade.
The dark hero group's name and threat long spread worldwide.
Familiar to him as a Bureau agent.
No terrorism or coups, but nations hyper-vigilant to their moves.
Simple reason:
Each known member was overwhelmingly powerful.
Elite few rivaling nations.
That was Masquerade, shadowy transnational powerhouse...
"...And you're a member?"
Kang Taesan stiffly scanned the area.
Modest but spacious two-story mansion: garden, pool, training room—fully equipped.
He knew Seonghyeon bought it with lottery winnings.
But if shady deals...
"Strictly speaking, collaborator position. We share goals."
"Shared goals?"
Han Seonghyeon nodded calmly at the serious query.
'Sorry, can't spill all truths.'
Not about trust.
Overloading him with info would harm him.
Better safe.
"Exterminating the Reverse Heaven Society."
"Reverse Heaven...!"
Kang Taesan widened his eyes at the leaked name.
He'd tailed them domestically; knew their cunning vastness.
"Makes sense. Teamed up targeting the same enemy."
Nodding in understanding, he then tilted his head puzzled.
"So how does Masquerade tie to your early Earth returns?"
Fair question.
Allies were allies; facilitating quick returns was separate.
Excuse prepped, of course.
"All thanks to this."
I tossed him a ticket from my pocket.
Blue-glowing, it fluttered through air, sinking into him.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ 『Return Ticket (2,000,000)』 "Wha—?!"
He patted himself frantically, but the blue light was gone.
Pausing, he stared into space, reading something, then exclaimed in genuine awe.
"A Return Ticket...? Never even heard of this!"
『Return Ticket (2,000,000)』
Added to the VIP Market with Invitation (1,000,000) upon Karma Shop Ver.3 unlock.
Keeps the 'Return' tab in Karma Shop (needs 1M points to activate) always open.
Info never leaked worldwide.
'Obviously—first use. Pricey, but... now he can flee to Earth anytime his life hangs by a thread.'
Double the usual 1M, but no burden for me.
Worth stretching for a friend.
'Not the end, though.'
Just insurance.
"Hey, Taesan. Notice anything weird here?"
"Uh... weird?"
He eyed me oddly, face saying you're the weirdest.
"Not that. About this space. Too much for you yet?"
"...The air feels off. Stronger resistance, kinda."
"Oh? Sharp senses."
Clapping at his sensitivity, I grinned and nodded.
"Time flows ten times slower here than outside. Ten hours here equals one hour Earth-time."
"Wait—indoor space with time dilation? On Earth?"
"What're you surprised for? Told you who set this up."
Masquerade's secret base, transnational dark heroes.
Kang Taesan shut his mouth, reminded.
"Time shortage solved—the biggest Otherworld transfer issue. What's next?"
"...Ah."
"No time to waste. Let's start."
Sensing ominous vibes, he stepped back—but this sealed space offered no escape.