The Returner's Flight and the Blue Dragon's Heist
“Hoo……”
Sa Choiheon let out a long sigh.
His clothes were torn, his gear in tatters. There wasn't a single part of his body left unscathed.
He'd just been tackling a special dungeon.
The dungeon's difficulty has spiked dramatically.
Even with all the items and skills he'd preemptively claimed as a regressor, clearing it had been a close call.
Solo clear or not, it was undoubtedly tougher.
Compared to his previous regression, the difficulty had surged.
Ever since the Apocalypse Apostles appeared, the flow toward destruction has accelerated.
Rising dungeon and gate difficulties.
Frequent appearances of special monsters.
A sharp increase in abnormal dungeon breaks.
The emergence of Returners—humanity's second stars—was one such anomaly.
Leaning against a tree in the forest, Sa Choiheon checked his black terminal device.
This special terminal worked even inside dungeons, but it was limited to sending messages.
Returner Ho Young.
He'd made contact with Mumyeong after all.
It was anticipated ever since Mumyeong headed to Jeju Island. But it had happened far sooner than expected.
He'd already sent info on the Returner, but he needed a full report from his guildmates.
“Hoo……”
He needed a moment to catch his breath. Sa Choiheon's schedule was packed down to the minute.
Preparing footholds for the future and eliminating potential threats— one body wasn't enough.
Sa Choiheon organized his thoughts during the brief respite.
The Seven Stars.
The Star of Prophets had preselected seven people destined to reach humanity's pinnacle.
One of them was the Returner Ho Young.
A human who had pilgrimaged through 42 dimensions and returned alive.
The truth he grasped was power.
The weak died.
The strong survived.
In that stark truth, Ho Young pursued endless strength, gaining power worthy of it.
To Sa Choiheon, it was utterly ridiculous.
A madman who tries to solve everything with brute force.
If everything could be solved by strength alone, humanity wouldn't be facing extinction. Ho Young would probably retort that it was because his own power fell short.
Either way, the power he wielded now was formidable—enough that even Sa Choiheon couldn't handle him.
What a headache.
The reason was simple.
The System's restrictions didn't apply to 'humans' in the present world.
Humans were the System's sole players. Even if an individual wielded immense power, no forced limits kicked in.
Instead, levels and ranks set the growth ceiling.
Current max level: 150.
Max item and skill grades: effectively Legend tier.
Ho Young, however, had roamed dimensions without levels or skills, accumulating raw power over centuries.
Pure martial might built without level dependency.
No restrictions applied to that.
That was why he could possess such abnormal strength.
I doubt Mumyeong will lose, but…
Mumyeong versus Ho Young.
If those two clashed at full power, Jeju Island might vanish from the map.
Sa Choiheon truly believed that as he connected comms to his guildmates.
“You okay? I'm heading there now.”
“How's the fight going?”
By now, the battle should be in full swing. Even if refused, he'd force it. That's the kind of guy Ho Young was.
Yet Yu Jihun's voice was too calm. The surroundings sounded quiet too.
Sa Choiheon furrowed his brow and asked again.
“No clash between the Returner and Mumyeong?”
Yu Jihun's next words were shocking.
“Ran away? Who.”
“No way.”
Sa Choiheon let out a hollow laugh.
Ho Young fleeing?
No word fit less.
He'd charge till the end, no matter the opponent's strength. No—he'd love it more if they were stronger.
Yet he fled.
“He really fled……?”
Sa Choiheon muttered in disbelief.
USA, somewhere in a forest.
“To think we'd have to move personally. Since when did mid-tier ma-in become errand boys?”
“Means security's that tight. Even on the ma-in side, only a handful know about this mission. Top secret—keep your mouth shut.”
The two ma-in trudged along with backpacks.
Inside: Magi Sources.
The core energy for ma-in.
Not one or two, either. Each pack held about ten.
Considering one per nation was standard, this was an insane amount.
Enough to wipe a country clean, for sure.
“Gathering all magi sources in one place is way too risky, no matter how you slice it.”
“How should we know what the higher-ups are thinking? Just walk quietly.”
The two ma-in pressed deeper into the sparsely populated forest. As they went, a faint light appeared.
Heading toward it revealed a campfire.
A young boy sat before it.
“Oh, you're here? Set 'em down.”
The boy flashed a sinister smile unfit for his age.
The ma-in obeyed, dropping the packs.
One couldn't hold back curiosity.
“You don't seem like a ma-in…… What're you using the sources for?”
Honorifics slipped out unwittingly. An extraordinary aura emanated from the boy.
“Gotta call my colleagues. Summoning the Apocalypse Apostles takes massive energy.”
The boy grinned.
Jealousy of the Seven Deadly Sins.
He aimed to descend all Seven Deadly Sins apostles to the present world. Pride was already dead, but oh well.
“Not bad haul. But still short.”
Jealousy smacked his lips after checking the packs.
“Short……? This is nearly every magi source in the present world.”
Magi sources weren't easy to come by. This was a global collection.
Ultra-compressed magi—that was a source.
Produced only in the demon realm.
Normally, one could destroy a planet. But transit to the present world caused massive loss.
Not an infinite resource, even in the demon realm.
The boy grinned.
“Yeah, I know. That's why I'm saying……”
Slash—!
With a gesture, the carriers' heads flew. The headless bodies tumbled into the grass.
“Well, this'll summon two easily enough.”
Satisfied, Jealousy reached for the packs—
No warning.
BOOM—!
Suddenly, azure lightning struck.
The entire forest was engulfed in brilliant blue light. Jealousy was no exception.
“Kuk, what?!”
Vast energy surged, enveloping him. Ultra-dense power scorched nearby trees and grass black.
A massive shockwave spread. Trees shook in unison; gale-force winds raged like a storm.
And more.
Whoosh—!
Torrential rain poured from the sky.
“Who is it?!”
Jealousy rubbed his eyes, yelling.
The lightning had blinded him completely. No mere bolt—it carried mana.
Did the ma-in set a trap?
Jealousy's face twisted.
Possible.
But stupid.
They couldn't handle the fallout.
Yet the voice from ahead was unfamiliar.
“Constellations behold all beneath the heavens. The wicked's crimes, the righteous' deeds—nothing escapes.”
Clunk.
Something lifted.
Jealousy's lips curled.
“Who dares speak of constellations before the Apocalypse?”
Jealousy gouged his eyes. Destroyed orbs regenerated swiftly, vision clearing.
Revealed before him……
“An apostle like you. But origins differ. I was a free constellation; you're a cursed slave to the System.”
A youth with azure scale armguards on both hands.
Whoosh—!
His eyes gleamed blue even in the downpour.
The True Blue Apostle.
Only Black and White had descended to the present world. At least, as far as Jealousy knew.
The blatant provocation crumpled Jealousy's face.
“Mumyeong's new apostle?”
“Who knows?”
The youth smiled amiably. In his hands: the backpack, stuffed with magi sources.
“This bastard's got sticky fingers?”
Jealousy gnashed his teeth.
BOOM—!
Jealousy charged the True Blue Apostle.
“Whoa. Scary.”
The True Blue Apostle dodged the mana blade with agile grace.
“How long can you run?”
Jealousy sneered.
A massive gash scarred the forest rear.
“I know apostles' stats well. Even Black and White together couldn't touch Pride—and you're alone.”
The youth leaned in, replying.
“I'm a Myth-grade apostle. Against you, my win rate's 50%.”
“Myth-grade. That your confidence?”
“Nah, just my personality.”
“Chatty one, aren't ya.”
Jealousy clicked his tongue.
More annoyances piling up.
Pride's death boosting Mumyeong's forces?
Didn't matter.
“If you're so sure, come at me.”
The youth shrugged at the taunt.
“I don't like 50-50 odds fights. Means you might win if luck's on your side.”
“Ha, long way to say you're scared.”
“But…… fleeing here's a 100% success rate, right?”
Youth held two magi-packed backpacks. Jealousy's eyes widened.
“You……!”
“Yep, running. Chase if you want—Mumyeong and a Myth-grade apostle.”
The youth kicked off lightly, soaring up.
Whoosh—!
Piercing endless rain, a single Blue Dragon ascended above the clouds.
Jealousy couldn't pursue.
Of all things, a Blue Dragon.
If it fled in earnest, no catching it.
With the bulk of magi sources stolen, Jealousy's options were few.
“You damn bastard! I'll kill you no matter what! Somehow!”
Screaming curses was his best shot.
Day 2 on Jeju Island.
The barrier-camp was comfy. Slept like a rock, ready for hunting.
◈ Speed +15%
◈ Cooldown Reduction 30%
◈ Swiftness Lv.3, Evasion Lv.3, Reaction Speed Lv.5
The item dropped by Returner Ho Young was Legend+.
“He tossed it like bait, so Master can take it, no issue.”
Lucifer said it was bait(?). Anyway, the Returner cleared the dungeon and got it.
Use it for now; buy it off him later if we meet.
Wrapping the large belt around my waist, it shrank to fit.
【Legend+】 Azure: Belt of Swiftness equipped.
Unique skill cooldown reduced by 30% (5.1 days).
Unique skill Instant Death cooldown: 17.1 days → 12 days
Cooldown now under two weeks.
If I could gather runes too, even better. Might get some through Sa Choiheon Hunter.
- Crimson Queen Bee Soul (SSR)
The soul from yesterday's queen kill. Keep it for now; slot into lantern when needed.
I looked up at the sky.
Still overcast.
Like that since the Apocalypse Apostles showed.
Ominous.
Something's brewing.
“Hunt first.”
Solidify foundations to handle whatever comes.
Returner's vanished completely.
Lucifer says he swam inland.
Across that strait.
People sure are something.
“We'll give our all in today's hunt too.”
Lucifer pledged, taking flight. Kero followed, bounding after.
Gabriel taught Cheon Iryeong holy power inside the barrier. If it goes well, stat or exp buffs possible.
Kaboom—!
“Mumyeong-nim! Tons of monsters here too!”
“We'll herd the beasts your way!”
Level increased.
Level increased.
……
Level increased.
Guildmates' help made hunting smooth, but level gains slowed noticeably.
Yesterday was the outlier—massive monster swarm.
Hunt-rest cycle for half a day. Lantern yielded one black shard and item cooldown reset scroll.
And so……
Daily growth limit reached.
Crossed level 130 into S-rank.
Finally.
A momentous occasion.
“Master, heartfelt congratulations. Let's make this a national holiday.”
Lucifer landed beside me. Gabriel approached too, after teaching Cheon Iryeong.
“Insane speedrun to max level. Historic feat.”
Constellation Otherworld Discipline celebrates your level up.
Constellation Master of the Black Star congratulates you.
Congrats messages followed.
Then—
The gloomy sky brightened. Clouds parted, revealing blue expanse.
Lucifer crossed arms, nodding.
“Even the heavens celebrate Master's growth.”
“No, that's not it.”
Gabriel pointed skyward. A blue Blue Dragon flew leisurely across the azure.
“Uh……”
Never seen the real thing, but obvious.
Bulmyeol guildmates noticed too.
“Wh-why's a Blue Dragon……?”
“World boss? Here of all places?”
“Wait, it's heading this way?”
The Blue Dragon descended toward me. Deer-like antlers, pristine white whiskers. No orb, but aura overwhelmed.
It shifted to youth form.
The landing youth shouldered two bags. He knelt, bowing to me.
“Master, first greetings. I am the True Blue Apostle, Blue Dragon.”
Done with me, he eyed Lucifer and Gabriel behind.
“Seniors, junior reporting in. Please take care of me!”
Perfect 90-degree bow.
“Oh, third apostle's the Blue Dragon. Polite manners. Pass for now.”
Lucifer smiled, satisfied. Expected jealousy over Myth-grade, but nah.
“Finally escaped maknae duty.”
Gabriel nodded vigorously.
Wasn't maknae before either.
“Anyway, urgent report. Jealousy of the Seven Deadly Sins has descended.”
Blue Dragon set down the bags. Black orbs spilled out.
“Seemed like he allied with ma-in to summon more Seven Deadly Sins……”
Clatter.
Orbs rolled free, black aura wafting. Clearly no ordinary items.
“I stole every last Magi Source.”
Eh? Stole them?
Magi Sources?
“Now, what to do with them……”
Blue Dragon smiled brightly.
“Up to you, Master.”