Chapter 81
About three more weeks passed in the aftermath, and the great Russian cleanup was finally wrapping up. I'd thought it'd take just a week since the monsters had conveniently clustered together for easy one-shot kills. Was I too complacent? Sure enough, with such a vast landmass, the spawn rate was insanely high. Go to one area and come back to find new ones popping up; look away for a second, and more appear.
"Now I get why Russia struggled so much..."
It felt like trying to fill a leaky jar with a ladle. Well, at least now they'd catch their breath. They'd probably owe me forever. No one else could have pulled this off.
I boarded Cha Eun-joo's airship and headed for the Moscow Kremlin. Russia had welcomed me with fanfare from the start, and as expected, a massive banquet awaited.
It's burdensome, but what can I do? Can't ignore their efforts.
I decided to just accept it. This must be my fate or something.
Time to stuff myself with good food.
Delicious things are always welcome!
After the boisterous golden banquet, I toured the Kremlin interior with Cha Eun-joo before stepping out. President Alexei had already approved my free movement across Russia.
"Um, just to be safe... could you please refrain from poking around state secret facilities? It might cause unnecessary confusion."
I had no intention of inspecting dull foreign secrets anyway, so I brushed it off with a vague "got it" and headed out into Moscow's streets as dusk settled.
A chill wind from the Siberian front brushed my skin. Cha Eun-joo stretched and asked,
"Did the food suit your taste?"
"Yeah. Especially the beef stroganoff—made me wanna eat it at home too."
I rubbed around my mouth, savoring the aftertaste... only for someone to grab my soft cheek.
Squiiiish—pop!
"Mm..."
This rubbery bounce was as good as ever. Passersby's gazes began to focus on us—fear, awe, envy. They were holding back for now, but one bold soul starting a conversation could trigger a mob.
In the past three weeks, Russian citizens' views of me had grown even more favorable.
"Cha Eun-joo, didn't you say there was somewhere you wanted to go?"
"Yes! St. Petersburg—I really wanna go back with you, Sertina."
Cha Eun-joo's flushed face couldn't hide her excitement. Back again?
"Not your first time, then."
"I went as a kid with my parents. Memories are fuzzy now... but I remember it being super beautiful!"
Cha Eun-joo's eyes sparkled with pure anticipation. The crowd's encirclement tightened, murmurs growing louder.
Hmm... better not dawdle.
"Summon the airship."
"You're really coming with me?"
"When else would we go?"
Fly over this street one more time? I'd turn to stone while still alive!
The inverted-triangular airship rose with a roar of engines.
"Cha Eun-joo."
"Yes."
"Can you install a bed inside the airship, by any chance?"
"...Pardon?"
Long flights made me realize how essential living space was. If expandable, add a table, microwave, fridge too. Of course, she'd pilot while I ate and slept.
St. Petersburg wasn't far—same Russian soil. Still farther than Seoul to Busan, though.
Russia sure is huge.
I shuddered, feeling it firsthand.
...Didn't wanna know that.
Grand old buildings lined the Neva River canals. Exotic architecture unseen in the East—familiar yet novel. Kinda like Pandela's palace?
And above all...
"Ooh..."
It was stunningly beautiful. Could a whole city be this gorgeous? Every view felt like a medieval painting ripped to life.
Golden streetlamps scattered dreamlike light. Reflections danced on the water, beige and pale turquoise buildings weaving an enchanting nightscape, like stepping into a dream.
"Luckily, no major damage."
"Huh?"
"I worried monsters might've wrecked the city. Some broken bits are inevitable, but this seems pretty good, right?"
True. Amid the frenzy of kills, I hadn't noticed, but St. Petersburg had suffered less than other cities. Players desperately defended it from the start?
Lost in the scenery, Cha Eun-joo chimed in.
"Sertina, how about a photo here?"
"A photo?"
"Yeah! Famous photo spot. Gotta make memories at a place like this."
Cha Eun-joo grinned, pulling out her smartphone camera.
"Smile a bit more. Arms like this... yes, perfect! Ready? One, two."
Shutter clicked a few times. We checked the shots.
"Wow! You're so pretty!"
Cha Eun-joo squealed.
The knit scarf around my neck, off-shoulder blouse, winter-white skirt—all perfect fits.
They've got an eye for this.
Hours of "outfit torture" surrounded by Tier, Yunsia, and Cha Eun-joo weren't wasted.
With Russia wrapped up, we boarded the airship and headed home.
Sertina's veiled Phase Three ultimate was revealed to the world.
As expected, it sent massive shockwaves globally. Global communities couldn't escape the storm either.
(Video of a massive blood sword plunging from the sky)
Isn't this just a strategic nuke??? Flattening an entire mountain range like a compressor—makes any sense?
Awesome doesn't cut it. Speechless lol. What's that skill? Anyone know?
Sertina wasn't made to be beaten. Gimmicks or whatever—way to counter that?
Why'd the devs add Sertina? Ignored lore and schedule—people called it GM favoritism back then. Post-reality crisis, she's the only monster on our side. Too coincidental—what do you think?
Back home from Russia in high spirits, exhaustion from the grueling trip hit me. I headed straight for bed. Missed you, bed!
Thud thud thud—leap!
Fluffy.
"Uhhe..."
Familiar quilt and mattress feel. Nothing beats my home bed.
I nuzzled the pillow, basking in the coziness. Could stay glued till tomorrow night.
"Sertina?"
Cha Eun-joo approached with a beaming smile. Smiling, but not a smile! Sensing danger, I instinctively shrank.
"Wh... why?"
"Didn't I tell you to shower before lying down?"
Tier's bright voice echoed from outside.
"Bath's ready!"
Whoosh— Cha Eun-joo scooped me under one arm like a sack. My limbs dangled limp like a ragdoll cat.
Put me down! How dare you manhandle Russia's savior!
But I stayed stone-faced en route to the tub. Steam rose from the filled bath.
Our eyes met mid-air.
Gonna throw me...?
I shot her my best puppy eyes. Cha Eun-joo stared down briefly...
Whoosh—splash!
She heartlessly dunked me in.