And So, We Headed to Vladivostok
“And so, I ended up heading to Vladivostok.”
“……”
“Why is everyone so quiet?”
I looked each of the guild members in the face, one by one.
Excuse me. Instructors?
Why are you all averting your eyes?
You enjoyed the American and European tours so much!
This wouldn’t do. In times like these, I had to rely on my longest-standing connection since my regression—reliable Disciple Number One.
“Ah, ahaha. Ping Lei. It’s been a while since you last entered the Tower, hasn’t it?”
“I did not expect to share the same opinion as you.”
“We have been clearing gates diligently, yet we never applied for extended residence.”
“Ascending the Tower once more after so long would be most agreeable.”
Wow.
Amazing.
Not a single trustworthy soul among them.
Watching Lee Jiyoung and Ping Lei perfectly in sync made moisture rise in my eyes.
Sob, sob.
I’d raised a monster.
Master, this Ark shall devote his utmost sincerity.
“Yeah. Thanks.”
Everyone, please leave.
I want to be alone.
Even though I said that, I hadn’t planned on bringing the guild members along anyway. Monster subjugation and undead creation were Ark’s responsibilities. There was little chance the guild members would experience explosive growth there, so it was better for them to focus on climbing the Tower.
On the contrary—
“A fine resolve, Jiyoung.”
“Y-yes?”
“After this business trip, I’ll be checking every single one of your results.”
Now I had the perfect whip to motivate the guild members: Tower climbing achievements and level-up rates.
You’re the ones who handed me the justification, you know?
—What a temper.
Why?
It’s not like I said it first.
An adult should take responsibility for their own words.
Uhehehehehe.
They thought they could enjoy all the honey without me.
“Uuuuugh.”
“Jiyoung. You’ve been had.”
At Carla’s single remark, Jiyoung sank like a stone.
I also needed to get permission from William, the cargo ship’s owner.
—Use it however you wish.
Whoa.
Look at that generosity.
He wasn’t giving it away outright, but lending it for about a year.
—You supply the fuel, though.
Tsk.
If only that last comment hadn’t been there, it would have been far more touching. Considering the value of a large cargo ship, lending it for free for an entire year was already generous.
“Thank you.”
I quickly expressed my gratitude and ended the call before William could attach any more conditions.
What remained were the administrative matters.
“Do not worry. I will accompany you.”
“Director Han. Aren’t you busy?”
“It has been two weeks since I last saw my children’s faces.”
“But is it all right for you to leave your post for so long?”
“I will simply confirm your arrival in Vladivostok before flying back home.”
“That’s a relief. I thought you planned to wait here.”
“I must return in time for your homecoming, of course.”
The Special Task Force had grown enormously thanks to my activities. Compared to before my regression, both its scale and workload were like heaven and earth. Naturally, Han Suchang’s responsibilities had increased tremendously as well.
It was a good thing the man was competent. Otherwise he would have died from overwork long ago.
—There is a flaw in that statement. It is precisely because he is competent that his responsibilities are so numerous.
Ah.
I see.
We boarded the cargo ship while exchanging words that would have made Han Suchang faint if he had heard them.
“There is still room for more cargo.”
“This is enough.”
Ten Hell Giants and ten Bone Drakes.
If I wanted to command additional undead in Siberia, I needed to leave some leeway in my domination capacity.
“Then let us depart.”
Booooong—
The ship’s horn rang out powerfully, and the cargo vessel sliced through the waves as it moved forward.
The city known as the closest point in Europe from Korea.
The air in Vladivostok was chilly.
It was the second most prosperous city in Russia’s Far East region and possessed an ice-free port that never froze even in the dead of winter, contributing greatly to eastern trade and national security.
A land of immense historical and geopolitical importance to Russia.
“Please appreciate just how difficult it was to persuade them to allow undead forces to land in such a place.”
“Director Han, you’re not from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
“I provided a briefing as a concerned party. There are no language barriers, after all.”
Ever since the Tower appeared, every language was automatically translated. The Foreign Ministry had apparently summoned Han Suchang as a reference and even prepared briefing documents.
“To lighten Director Han’s workload, it seems I’ll have to become a little lazier.”
“Please do not say such horrifying things. When a Special Task Force member is busy, at least one more person can be saved.”
This workaholic. He never even tried to hide his true feelings while complaining about overtime caused by me.
Since he possessed both ability and passion, it made sense that he had risen to vice president of the association even as a non-awakened in his previous life.
It was good that I had built a connection with him early after my regression.
Booooong!
The cargo ship sounded its powerful horn as it slowly entered the harbor.
“Hey. Savior of Paris.”
“Sergei? What are you doing here?”
“When a comrade arrives, of course I must come out to greet him!”
An arm slid around my neck. Solid muscle pressed lightly against my nape.
This isn’t an attack… right?
—There are those who feel uncomfortable with the dead setting foot upon their homeland.
Telepathy. Sergei’s voice reached my mind through magic.
—As expected.
—I told them he is my comrade, so it is fine. Smile brightly.
Sergei smiled so exaggeratedly I worried he might get muscle cramps. In short, he had vouched that my undead would cause no trouble.
In both his previous life and this one, the guy’s loyalty was truly first-rate.
“Good to see you, comrade.”
We exchanged greetings so naturally that no one would have guessed we had just shared telepathy and sound transmission.
“The Russian bear was that close with the savior of Paris?”
“I didn’t take responsibility without any basis.”
The politicians’ whispers slipped clearly into my ears. As always, those in politics were constantly calculating.
Not that I could blame them. Thinking of their nation’s interests was a virtue politicians ought to possess.
That being the case, how would ordinary citizens view this scene?
“Long live the Russian bear!”
“Long live the savior of Paris!”
It was hot. The cheers felt strong enough to blow away Siberia’s cold. The harbor was so packed with welcomers that it was difficult to find anywhere to set foot.
Unlike the politicians worried about foreign interference in internal affairs, the citizens of Vladivostok welcomed Sergei and me—with our arms around each other’s shoulders—with faces utterly free of shadows.
“I didn’t expect to receive this warm a welcome.”
“No one ordered them to do so.”
“I didn’t think that.”
“Do not feel burdened. Our homeland does not forget that you have labored for Russia.”
Labored?
Ah. He must mean the Dream Land incident.
I had gone there to devour essence, yet I never imagined I would receive such hospitality.
“The undead will now disembark.”
Whirr—
The container carrying the Hell Giants was lifted by a crane and lowered onto the dock.
Rise.
Ark, seated upon the Throne of the Indomitable King, radiated a powerful mental wave.
The Hell Giant that rose to its feet was filled with frigid energy. When that cold met Vladivostok’s bitter frost, it grew even more intense.
“It’s an undead giant!”
“Is that giant going to protect our land?”
“It looks incredibly powerful.”
What was this? The reaction to a Hell Giant radiating overwhelming presence was… cheers?
“It is a summon controlled by the savior of Paris. No one believes it will cause harm.”
“Then why did you vouch for it?”
“They say they cannot trust politicians.”
We smiled brightly at each other while conversing in low voices. There were so many welcomers that there was no need for telepathy or sound transmission.
The Bone Drakes received an equally enthusiastic response. To welcome undead without shrinking back—the sense of security provided by the ranker known as the Russian Bear must have been that great.
“As expected of the Russian Bear. His name carries real weight.”
“What are you saying? I am merely the bonus. The bonus.”
Huh?
“The savior of Paris rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward when our homeland was in crisis. How could the people not rejoice?”
So my name value had grown that much.
“Unexpected. To think you had a habit of underestimating yourself.”
“I pride myself on always judging myself with perfect objectivity.”
Sergei gave a mysterious smile and said no more.
What was that reaction?
The heat of the incredibly passionate welcoming crowd felt slightly awkward because it had risen far beyond my expectations, but it wasn’t a bad feeling.
After the grand welcoming ceremony, we held a briefing in the hotel conference room.
“The undead army’s area of activity reaches this far.”
“This ‘area of activity’ does not mean permanent stationing, correct?”
“Correct. A separate location has been designated for their base.”
Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island. It was land located roughly five hundred kilometers north of Vladivostok. An island formed by the Amur River that had become part of the continent. Although it bordered Manchuria, large-scale erosion had occurred in the vicinity, so there was no great cause for concern.
“Diplomatic problems could still arise?”
“The president has promised to handle that aspect, so simply focus on diligently exterminating the monsters that disturb our homeland.”
If someone overheard, they might think I had been hired as a mercenary. I had come as a volunteer.
Sergei handed me a USB drive containing records of eroded zones and monster activity areas.
“Surprisingly competent.”
“What exactly do you take me for?”
“A Mohican thug.”
“This hairstyle was a gift from my mother before she passed away.”
“Ah. Sorry.”
Pulling the dead-mother card here of all places.
“It was a joke. Mother is alive and well.”
“You son of a bitch.”
“Monsters are crossing over from China as well. Dealing with those that enter our homeland is not an issue, but…”
“Don’t cross the border?”
“Exactly. You understand.”
They were exploiting the fact that Russian players could not pursue monsters into Manchuria. Intelligent named-grade monsters crossed the border to plunder. That was also why relations between Russia and China had grown cold lately.
“It would have been better if we had left it to you. Those foolish bastards.”
Wow. So this really was the stubborn Sergei from my previous life. His obstinate expression matched the one in my memories perfectly. Yet the sudden bursts of unconditional goodwill were still difficult to get used to.
“When does the monster subjugation begin?”
“Tomorrow.”
“I wish you luck. You probably won’t need further guidance.”
“I can’t keep a busy man tied up for long. Go take care of your own work.”
His complete trust in my actions. Then shouldn’t I live up to that trust?
I spent the night practicing energy circulation. The moment the sun rose, I headed north accompanied by the undead soldiers I had relocated to the city outskirts.
“Ark. Let me say it once more—you must not kill people.”
『Even if they display hostility?』
“Yes. Even if you concede the small fry, avoid direct clashes.”
『Understood.』
How long had we been advancing along the Russia-China border?
“Kuhook!”
A group of four-meter-tall giants wielding wooden clubs—trolls—blocked our path. From the footprints, they appeared to have crossed from China. The very first engagement involved monsters from the Chinese side. A premonition that we would have to walk a very delicate tightrope regarding the border crept over me.
『They are insignificant foes. My lord, please watch your subordinate’s battle.』
Ark fidgeted in his seat before sitting back down. With the penalty attached to the Throne of the Indomitable King, where exactly did he think he was going?
“Instead, send out one of the Hell Giants.”
『Understood.』
Ark extended the Frost Sword of the Lich Lord gripped in his hand.
Show your power to the Master.
A brilliant white light flashed from the pommel of the frost sword—a cold radiance that could freeze the hearts of all who beheld it.
“Groooooar!”
The designated Hell Giant charged toward the troll pack, shaking the earth with every heavy step. Its stride was so enormous that even its slow movements closed the distance instantly.
The trolls roared with savage fury and rushed forward despite facing a giant more than twice their size. The moment the two colossal species reached point-blank range—
Crack!
The trolls’ famous regenerative power and their notoriously tough, rugged hides were torn into dozens of pieces by the icy blade. Blood sprayed in every direction.
“Huh?”
The ice that erupted around the Hell Giant’s footprints had massacred the entire troll pack.