#117 Old Ginger is Spicy
Having heard Carron's words, Kang-ho fell deep into thought. The world beyond the world. The immense terror brought by its existence was enough to make even him flinch. Yes, if ordinary people saw it and lost their minds, that made perfect sense.
Kang-ho slowly nodded and opened his mouth. "Got it. Send me the video and photos. What about the Mine corpse?"
"The Southern Jeongdo Alliance in China recovered it."
The Southern Jeongdo Alliance was the faction where Tao En belonged.
"What... do you plan to do about this?"
To Carron's question, Kang-ho replied lightly. "Let people know."
"......The fallout will be huge. The Am-jeok-mun, who dominate northern China, are desperate to cover it up. They're trying to bury the information and swallow up Paewangmun's territory."
"Is that so? Then leave it to me. Those guys just wrap everything up tight whenever something blows up, making things worse—they're not good at handling anything properly."
Kang-ho continued curtly. "No matter what, others end up dealing with the aftermath. We can't just let it slide. I'll confirm and make it explode big."
"......!"
Yes. A warning about the reappeared Mines had to be issued. Sweeping it under the rug would only invite an even greater catastrophe. If the approaching future was certain, the best course was to prepare for it in advance.
"Will you use the media?"
Kang-ho grinned at Carron's question. "No."
He planned to use a celebrity with even greater reach than the media. Kang-ho patted the uneasy Carron on the shoulder, then opened the door and called out to Theo, who was petting Furball's new mane from across the room.
"Theo!"
Theo whipped around, scooping up Seol-a mid-tackle as she charged with a body slam. [Why!]
"You, Bassago, Carron... yeah, and Ian too. Go somewhere with them."
[......!]
Theo glanced down at Seol-a in his arms. "Mama."
Seol-a beamed up at him. Theo buried his nose in her cheek, sniffing. She smelled like sun-dried grass. Inhaling it calmed him without him even realizing.
[I'm not your mom.]
"?"
As Seol-a tilted her head, Theo chuckled. [Doesn't matter anyway.]
Theo set Seol-a down and walked over to Kang-ho. [Is this a request?]
Kang-ho nodded casually. "An important one."
[......!]
Theo felt fantastic. Kang-ho had asked him for a favor. It filled him with pride and joy. [Sure.]
A few days later, word came from Theo.
Kang-ho, watching the surroundings through Theo's video call, asked, "What about the area?"
[Yeah, Chinese guys everywhere. That one's here too. Switch?]
"Switch."
At Kang-ho's word, the smartphone view shifted to the side. [Hello, Mr. Choi Kang-ho.]
Tao En appeared on the screen. He had won by default against Xiao Shin in a past ranking match, claiming World Rank 5. With news of Zhang Wei's assassination, he had naturally settled into World Rank 4, becoming the talk of the town.
He bowed deeply and politely, then began explaining the situation. It didn't differ much from Carron's report.
[It looks unavoidable to clash with Am-jeok-mun. It was bound to happen eventually, but demanding the Mine's corpse is suspicious.]
With Paewangmun—one of China's four great factions—annihilated, a war was brewing over its vacant territory. Kang-ho nodded slowly.
[We'll handle our own affairs.]
"Got it."
Kang-ho replied, then told Theo, "From now on, find the rift where the Mine crash-landed and plan a magic circle with Bassago."
[To the Murim world?]
Kang-ho stared at Theo wordlessly, then nodded slowly. "Yeah."
[Understood.]
After hanging up, Kang-ho sent a message to someone. Moments later, all media outlets erupted in chaos.
It was all thanks to the world's top celebrity and prophet, Epsilon.
That short SNS post rocked the world. Kang-ho sat on his sofa, gazing at the TV spewing breaking news updates by the second, then turned to Epsilon lifting a teacup. Epsilon's expression was far from bright, having returned here on his single message.
"Trouble."
Epsilon spoke first. "Couldn't you see it?"
Epsilon nodded at Kang-ho's question. "It's like an accident from events not fated to happen—those don't show up."
Even now, countless events flashed through Epsilon's single eye. "So many things pass by in this moment. Maybe those Mines aren't such a big deal."
Epsilon's words sent a chill down the spine. Epsilon sipped the tea and continued. "No major issues for a while, at least in this world."
"That's something."
Kang-ho nodded slowly. Suddenly, Epsilon turned their head. Ziiing—
Light gathered from all directions. They knew what the strange gate forming inside the log cabin was.
"He's back."
Goooong—
It soon formed a full gate. Epsilon smirked. "Let's see Gunter's face after so long."
Kang-ho and Epsilon stepped through together. Shaaaak—
A world of meteor showers unfolded around them! Gazing up at the sight, a wave of sorrow washed over Epsilon's face.
"Epsilon."
"Gunter, long time."
Kang-ho sensed Gunter's poor complexion and asked, "You okay?"
"I'm fine."
Gunter handed Kang-ho a bracelet as he spoke. Kang-ho's Oerblade gleamed with pure black light, like it was coated entirely in flawless dark metal. As he took it, an absurdly immense mana surged through him. Kang-ho slipped it onto both wrists. Clang!
"It's only first-stage processed Eternal Crystal. It'll output at most half its max power. Needs reforging."
Gunter finished, then coughed harshly. Cough cough.
"......Sorry. Seems I asked too much."
Gunter waved it off. "To handle Eternal Crystal, you fight its essence. Drains the spirit. It tries to devour you at any gap...... I'm inexperienced, but Manryeonja from my clan is the expert."
His face improved slightly as he slumped into the chair by the anvil. Staring blankly at it, Gunter continued. "Handle it carefully."
"I will."
Kang-ho looked down at his Oerblade. Epsilon smiled bitterly, gazing at it. "Brings back old memories."
"Yeah."
Gunter and Epsilon recalled the same past. In Izenbaum during the Mine rampage, a man clutching Eternal Crystal gear fought to the end. Pluto, the last warrior of the now-destroyed 9th dimension, Izenbaum!
"Talk it out."
Kang-ho decided not to interrupt and turned to leave through the gate. Gunter watched his back silently before speaking.
"He's strong."
"Very."
"Like Pluto at his peak."
Even that mighty Pluto had fallen. Epsilon and Gunter shared a single thought. 'Never again.'
Never again would they let a world perish.
Exiting the gate, Kang-ho checked his smartphone. The group chat was in uproar.
Kang-ho smiled wryly.
Kang-ho paused typing, staring at the group chat with his friends. He couldn't bring himself to send the next message.
His once-united comrades were now irreplaceable pillars of the nation. Thousands, tens of thousands moved at their word—and that meant their lives hung on his friends' decisions too.
War preparations. Soon, replies poured in.
Kang-ho grinned.
Krreung—
Furball's face was etched with extreme tension.
Whiiiiiish—!
Han Su-hwa, the Ice Dragon soaring through the skies to the world above the clouds, asked Kang-ho on her back. [You okay?]
"Yeah, I'm good."
Kang-ho grinned and smacked Furball's back heartily. Krreung!
"He says he's fine too."
Furball gripped Han Su-hwa's back scales tightly with all four paws. Kang-ho had only recently learned the massive beast suffered from fear of heights.
As Furball trembled, Seol-a burst into uncontrollable laughter, finding it hilarious. Han Su-hwa, carrying Kang-ho, Seol-a, and Furball, glided effortlessly through the heavens.
Whiiiiiish—
She soon pierced the clouds and began descending. Shwaaa—!
Kirin darted ahead swiftly. [This way.]
From the dizzyingly high realm, the world below looked tiny. Everything was a mere speck, the air frigid. Kang-ho peered at the approaching ground.
A massive mountain came into view. [That's Mount Tai.]
Han Su-hwa nodded at Kirin's words. [Where did you crash-land?]
Kirin hovered in Mount Tai's skies, scanning around, then spotted a mountainside and flew toward it. The Ice Dragon followed, landing on the ground.
Seol-a looked up at Kang-ho with a beaming smile. "Fun!"
Kang-ho stroked her cheek, then glanced at Furball. Thud!
Furball collapsed the moment his paws hit the ground, eyes spinning. Theo appeared behind him. [Damn, if there's something this comfy, give us a ride too! We busted our asses crossing the sea!]