#88 They'll Harvest It, Won't They?
“Ugh...”
Xiao Shin barely made it back to his lodging and collapsed onto the sofa. His frantic subordinates took one look at his battered body and gasped in shock.
“B-Boss!”
It had been ages since they'd seen Xiao Shin actually hurt. His body was covered in wounds. Tossing aside his black camouflage suit revealed a multitude of small cuts and a nasty gash from a mana hole.
“An ambush?”
“No.”
Xiao Shin shook his head. He spat out a glob of blood-mixed saliva, then drew in a deep breath.
“Liquor.”
“Yes, sir!”
He snatched the potent baijiu and chugged it down. Grinding his teeth, he growled.
“One more guy in this country worth watching. Uses bizarre skeleton soldiers. Rare ability. First time I've seen it. Track him down and report back.”
“Yes, sir...!”
Xiao Shin focused on stabilizing his mana hole.
Damn it.
This was no small matter. The jiangshi he'd lost were top-tier elites, handpicked from the best. Acquiring corpses from the strong was tough—sometimes requiring kills. And they weren't cheap. Magic stones and long production times were essential.
To lose them all like that...?
Even more shocking was the identity of the one who'd neutralized them so effortlessly.
An ability even China hasn't seen, in this puny nation? Unbelievable things are happening...
But there were bigger problems. Officially, Xiao Shin was here for the World Ranking matches. His opponent: World Rank 6, Tao En. From southern continental China—they were bitter rivals who ground their teeth at the mere mention of each other.
Damn it...
All his plans were unraveling. His gaze drifted to the TV.
There was Choi Kang-ho on screen.
“......”
He scowled like the cameras annoyed him, waving them off as he walked. Beside him, World Rank 2 Ian smiled.
Ian Rampage...
Ian Rampage. Choi Kang-ho. And that skeleton wielder. Xiao Shin's lips trembled.
Damn bastards...!
He slowly picked up his smartphone. After hesitating, he gritted his teeth and dialed.
......
“Why the hell are you swearing, bro?”
-If I told you what I went through, you'd freak.
King tilted his head, continuing the call.
“What happened?”
-Something big. You'll be shocked.
“Whose number is this?”
-Phantom's.
“Pardon?”
Soon, a voice from the receiver: Hey, you can't just say that! Are you nuts?
“......”
King blinked. Then Theo's voice came through.
-She says keep it secret.
“Uh... got it.”
-Seol-a doing okay?
“Seol-a? Yeah, of course.”
King handed the phone to Seol-a in his arms.
-Seol-a?
Seol-a looked up at King curiously at the voice, then responded happily to the familiar tone.
“Ung!”
-Phew. Good. How's Kang-ho?
“Kang-ho hyung is...”
King glanced around.
“Huh? Where'd he go?”
* * *
Kang-ho was enjoying some rare alone time, breathing in the fresh air. He was at the top of the massive domed stadium.
Impressive.
Built high and sturdy enough to overlook all of southern Seoul, this arena would rake in astronomical profits. Down below, crowds swarmed amid flashing cameras and cheers—he had zero desire to join that chaos.
The modern era. Far more advanced than the world Kang-ho once knew.
He sat there, gazing at the glittering cityscape. Buildings soared higher than before, people buzzed with renewed energy. So much had changed, yet the process felt oddly familiar.
I...
Lying back, he stared at the clear blue sky, lost in thought.
I don't feel like I've changed at all.
The past few days, he'd been in a daze. Maybe because he'd learned a truth he hadn't wanted to face.
Baal...
Baal's true identity: a friend from the past. What the hell? Did that mean a deathmatch with an old comrade? What emotions should he feel upon reunion? Joy? Happiness? Sadness? Rage?
Truth was, he didn't know. Everything tangled into a mess.
“......”
As he stared blankly at the sky, he sensed it.
“Hm.”
Suddenly, someone was there. A shadow cast a faint shade over him.
Turning, he saw an unremarkably ordinary-looking man. White shirt, black slacks, white sneakers—everyday attire. White hair tied back, sporting a monocle. Age: mid-20s to 30s.
Kang-ho stared up from his prone position. The man looked down.
Finally, Kang-ho spoke slowly.
“Not as impressive as I imagined.”
The man smiled faintly.
“I hear that a lot.”
He extended a hand.
“An honor to meet a celebrity.”
“Likewise.”
Kang-ho took it, adding,
“Nice to meet you, Epsilon.”
A strange mana emanated from him. Kang-ho had felt something similar before facing Agalares—from that odd blacksmith.
9th Dimension, Izenbaum. Now destroyed. The last blacksmith, Gunter.
-Izenbaum's people each have unique abilities.
He recalled the words.
-Some can see the future.
“You're an Izenbaum survivor who crash-landed here.”
Epsilon nodded at Kang-ho's question.
“As you see.”
No apparent combat power. Ordinary physique, no standout artifacts.
Kang-ho sat up. Epsilon plopped down beside him, gazing out.
“This world's scenery never gets old.”
They stared blankly for a moment.
Kang-ho spoke slowly.
“You don't seem scared of me.”
“Scared?”
“You don't look like much in a fight.”
Getting the implication—that Kang-ho could kill him anytime—Epsilon smiled.
“That's why I usually avoid showing myself.”
“......”
“But with you, I'm at ease.”
“Why?”
Suddenly, it felt like Epsilon saw right through him. The monocle eye seemed normal, but the other lacked a pupil—like a starry constellation. An illusion of infinite cosmic depth.
“No future like that awaits.”
“......”
Kang-ho chuckled.
“Rare type, you are. Humans crave wielding power. But you don't seem keen on it.”
“Maybe.”
“However—”
Epsilon smiled, adding,
“Might be tough against the coming foes with that mindset.”
“......”
Kang-ho stared into space, then asked,
“What destroyed 9th Dimension Izenbaum? Gunter said demon invasion.”
“Hasn't this world seen it too?”
“Daybreak?”
Epsilon nodded. Indeed, the Daybreak 50 years ago. And the demons that came with it.
Kang-ho recalled their absurd strength, countering,
“Where do demons come from? Demon Realm?”
“You've fought demon folk, right?”
True. Demon folk weren't the source.
Epsilon pointed skyward.
“A higher world, perhaps.”
“Abstract.”
“Just speculation for now. Beyond the 9 dimensions—another world. They're after Eternal Crystals, we assume.”
Kang-ho thought.
Almost like...
“Exactly.”
Epsilon nodded, reading his mind.
“Like 'harvesting.' Ever farmed?”
“......?”
“You plant seeds, nurture them. Fertile soil yields better crops. Once ripe, what next?”
Kang-ho's eyes chilled.
“......Harvest them.”
“That's one theory.”
Past demons were insanely strong. Kang-ho still remembered the one from Incheon's battle, costing Seolhwa's life. That otherworldly power. Pure malice in its demonic energy.
If even they were mere minions... Dizzying to imagine.
“......”
“But for now.”
Epsilon stood.
“Focus on the foe at hand. Unity would be ideal, but unlikely.”
True. Agalares had already opened gates between Earth and Demon Realm. Next up: Baal.
Baal was different from Agalares. At least, he had a 'heart' like Kang-ho—a true powerhouse.
“I'll help where I can, to my utmost. It's the best I offer. To save many...”
He glanced afar, adding,
“I'd do anything.”
Sincerity rang in Epsilon's voice.
“Count on me, Beast King.”
Kang-ho got it. If he fell, this world might end like Izenbaum.
He said nothing. Suddenly, Epsilon was gone. Their talk felt like a dream.
* * *
Cheorwon, log cabin.
Returning home, Kang-ho got a surprise hug from Theo.
He nearly swatted him away, but the guy's sheer joy made it absurd.
[Kang-ho, you know what I went through?]
“What're you on about.”
[That damn furball—]
Suddenly, Kang-ho spotted Furball peeking through the window, eyes freezing in place.
“Hm?”
He looked at Furball. The beast's eyes shook.
[That guy's...]
Around then, the TV blared breaking news.