Chapter 369
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 369
Chapter Title: How to Become an Incarnation
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While the community was boiling over with the proficiency boost bait, Jeong Hoon posted an update.
I'll Tell You How to Become an Incarnation.
- Messages are about to fly out to everyone all at once.
If you accept, you'll become an incarnation, raise your proficiency, block the invasion, and snag some rewards.
You'll rack up experience and boost your survival rate too, so it's not a bad deal.
Just a heads-up: the invasions will keep coming, and they'll bring foes on a whole different level from these guys.
The post went up, and comments started pouring in like ghosts.
Becoming an incarnation means you'll have to do whatever that guy says...
I don't wanna be a puppet.
lololol I don't even need that. I'm closing in on level 1,000, and getting taken out by weaker scrubs? That's on them, right?
The ones dying aren't even here anymore. They're all dead
Ugh, that last line's got me thinking... It's annoying enough nowwhat happens when stronger ones show up?
Who the hell is this guy posting this? Bluffing?
Some future-seer?
The comments weren't exactly glowing.
But what could he do?
The higher races were probably comingthat much was almost certainly true.
"Thanatos."
"Okay."
At Jeong Hoon's call, Thanatos handed over the prepared message.
It was an incarnation proposal. Accepting it would automatically contract you with Thanatos.
Refusing would make it vanish, with no second chances.
"Set it to send in three hours."
Using the master's authority, he prepped to blast the message to every survivor.
Three hours from now, it'd hit them all.
'Huh, is this for real?'
Park In-tae, browsing the community, couldn't hide his shock.
He was the interim guild master of Hoyoung, stepping in for the absent Yeo Sun-woo.
Seoul had been restored from the wreckage, and Park In-tae had led every guild member nonstop against the invasion.
In the midst of it, one guild member tipped him off to the community post.
'An incarnation...'
Truth be told, he'd been very interested.
After the world turned real, plenty of people had grown strong through incarnations.
Even if it meant playing pawn to some higher power, strength was the only ticket to survival in this realityand that temptation kept pulling at him.
Still, he hadn't become one yet, all thanks to the guild master.
'Never take that power.'
'...May I ask why?'
'Because they're the ones trying to destroy Earth.'
'Destroy...?'
'Yeah. You take the power, and you help with the destruction.'
He craved the strength, but not at the cost of Earth's ruin.
That was why Park In-tae had held off.
But this community post framed it as protecting Earth, not destroying it.
"What to do..."
If it was true, becoming an incarnation sounded like a win.
Bzzz
Right on cue, a call from the young lady.
Park In-tae picked up in a hurry.
"Yes, Park In-tae speaking."
Uncle! You busy right now?
"No, it's fine. We just wrapped up an invasion wave and are on a short break."
How's the damage?
"Everyone leveled up great, followed orders perfectly. Only five injuries so fareveryone else is good."
That's a relief...
"And you, young lady? I heard you're handling invasions solo..."
Yeo Min-ji had shot so far ahead she could solo them now, leagues beyond the guild.
Still, he couldn't help worrying.
I'm fine. Anyway, I called because I have something to tell you.
"Hm? What is it?"
Remember what Dad said before? About incarnations destroying Earth.
"Yes."
Yeo Min-ji had been there too.
She'd agreed back then.
That's not the case anymore.
Not anymore.
"Yes?"
Park In-tae reacted with a baffled look, and she elaborated.
It's hard to explain in detail, but... all the old destroyers are gone. Only the ones protecting Earth are left nowthe transcendents.
"Uh... Young lady, I don't get what makes you say that."
His head was spinning.
Why was she saying this?
I know it's hard to believe. I would've stayed skeptical if Hoon hadn't told me himself.
"Jeong Hoon said that?"
Yeah. So, just this oncetrust me, even if you think you're getting played? The community post is straight from him too.
"...Got it."
Thank you. I'll join you guys soon.
"You're really coming?!"
Music to his ears.
With her on board, Hoyoung's firepower would skyrocket.
Plus, her command skills outshone his by milesinvasions would be a breeze.
Yeah. Not saying you have to become incarnations. Just that things have changed from before.
"No worries there. I know better than anyone you're not the type to force it."
See you soon!
"Take care."
The call ended.
'An incarnation...'
Park In-tae checked the post again.
If the young lady was right, the poster was...
'Jeong Hoon.'
In that case, the smart choice was obvious.
Decision made, Park In-tae pocketed his smartphone and rounded up the guild members.
"Bro! I'm back!"
Hot on Jang Ha-jin's heels, Bong-gu wrapped up the 6th phase successfully and returned.
'Looks like Yeo Sun-woo-ssi is dead last now.'
Hoyoung was under Park In-tae's lead.
Anticipating the 6th phase would drag, he'd handed over command before leaving.
He'd started two days later than the others, and it was taking the longest.
"Good work."
"Heh heh, don't freak out. I'm the Dark Emperor now! Dark Emperor!"
The advanced class above Dark King.
Bong-gu had upgraded from Dark King to Dark Emperor finishing the 6th.
"Congrats."
Bong-gu's eyes welled up at Jeong Hoon's sincere praise.
"Bro, I really thought I was gonna die. Ha... Just thinking about those quests gives me chills."
"You earned it. The 6th is brutally tough."
"I knew you'd get it, bro!"
"Yeah. So, to celebrate wrapping the 6th, wanna spar?"
"Uh...?"
The crashed and burned.
Bong-gu's teary face hardened instantly.
He'd busted his ass through the 6th, and now thisstraight to a spar?
"Ah, not just any spar. While you were gone, stuff happened..."
Jeong Hoon quickly recapped events.
"Our house got restored?!"
Seoul's ruins reborn had sparked faint hope, but his own home fully fixed? Like a dream.
"Yeah. Checked it outyour family's leveled up big time, got strong. They're back home now."
"Whoa... Bro, thank you so much."
Losing everything and holing up in shelters had torn him uphe'd faked cheer for them.
Now, no need.
He wanted to bolt home right now.
"I'd love to send you straight there, but... no time."
Hence the spar idea.
Survivors had exploded in levels, but many were low-skill, wasting gear potential.
Leading to needless deaths.
So, Jeong Hoon planned to film job-specific combat tips and tricks against Bong-gu, upload to HoneyTube.
Global reach meant tons could learn.
"Bro, even if they follow the video, anyone's skill who's that hopeless is gonna stay hopeless..."
Intelligence varied wildly.
Some caught on quick, applied fast; others needed endless repeats and still blanked.
"If they're not total lost causes, the video will help some for sure."
"...Fine. If you say so, bro, I'll do it."
"Good."
He messaged Jang Dae-hwi to prep for filming.
Start as soon as he arrived.
"But... you'll go easy, right?"
Bong-gu's eyes trembled faintly.
If Jeong Hoon got serious, it'd be bad.
"Obviously. If I go all out, no one learns the tips."
"R-right?!"
Bong-gu's face lit up.
This spar was a beginner tutorial.
"Well, if you want a real match after, I could."
"No thanks!"
Bong-gu shouted desperately.
Look at that guy? No confidence at all?
Tenebris-nim... the matchup's not fair.
Still, shouldn't he bluff a bit?
He'd actually die.
Come on, he wouldn't really kill him.
Tenebris eyed Jeong Hoon warily.
Jeong Hoon stifled a laugh inside.
'Did I have that rep?'
No way he'd kill Bong-gu.
'Hm... You do smash first, ask later if annoyed.'
'True. Ruthless if you think they're in the wrong.'
Muk-ho and Anima chimed in.
'Might've been like that...'
'Yeah, definitely.'
'You're not bad, but that personality could rub some wrong.'
Fair enough.
'No one's perfect.'
But these guys would escalate, so Jeong Hoon glared and shushed them.
'Ahem...'
'Got it, stop staring.'
While Jeong Hoon and Bong-gu prepped the shoot, time hit, and the messages fired off to everyone.
'It really came.'
Park In-tae, with guild gathered and waiting, checked it instantly.
Your Last Chance
-Your skill levels are pathetic.
It's frustrating just watching. Keep this up, and death's all that's waiting.
Don't believe me?
You're struggling against these weaklingswhat happens when stronger ones crash the party?
So, to you pitiful lot, I'll offer a chance.
Contract with me.
I promise to boost your survival odds.
Unlike the others, I'm on your side.
I'll do everything to protect Earth.
Choose accept below, and the contract seals instantly.
"Talk about sky-high confidence."
As the young lady said, this one vowed to lead Earth's defense.
He couldn't buy it 100, but passing it up? No chance.
When stronger foes hit, could they stop them? No sure answer.
They needed the transcendent's help to level up.
"I accept."
Park In-tae accepted.
"I accept."
"We accept."
The guild members, waiting on his lead, followed suit.