Faded Power, Bold Proposal
The familiar ceiling came into focus. Yeah, figures. I'd dozed off on the sofa plenty of times before. Must be that top-grade material—its sleep-inducing powers were top-notch. I dragged my heavy, groggy body upright, slow as molasses.
"Hoooot, haaaah."
Stretching my arms high overhead with a satisfying yawn, I glanced outside. The sun had already dipped into sunset. How long had I been out? I'd only closed my eyes for a second, but time itself felt warped. Had a black hole grazed Earth or something? As those ridiculous thoughts flitted through my mind, I sat up—and that's when a strange mix of unease and familiarity hit me all at once.
The heavy sensation of my body from when I'd first returned to Earth.
My power... it's gone?
A body that once felt weightless now had heft to it. The implication was crystal clear.
"What the hell happened?"
Bad vibes prickling, I bolted off the sofa and dashed to the master bedroom. In front of the full-length mirror hanging on the closet door, I twisted this way and that, frowning as I raised one eyebrow.
"Looks the same..."
Sertina's signature world boss silver-white hair with blood-red tips, sleeveless dress—nothing changed there. The only difference?
My hard-won power had vanished again.
"Hmm..."
Not completely gone? Clenching and unclenching my fist, I sensed a faint trickle. Focusing on it, I realized it was mana—so diluted I wouldn't notice unless I concentrated. Definitely not something I'd felt back on the old Earth.
What the hell? Stroking my chin, I racked my small brain over and over.
Come to think of it, hadn't I seen something before nodding off?
Update, or whatever it was.
That had to be the culprit. But since I'd been asleep, who knew the details?
Gurgle—
Hungry...
Stomach growling, I shuffled to the kitchen.
Right, no food left at all?
Had to go scavenge some. But today's world felt off—way different from usual. Down below the window, crowds swarmed like ants. Visitors from out of town? Foot traffic was heavy.
My senses were dulled, but I could still tell clearly.
No monsters anywhere.
No nauseating cries, no thundering giant footsteps, no flapping wings from flyers, no occasional shrieks tearing the air. Eerily quiet.
What the fuck was going on? Scratching my head in confusion, I suddenly remembered some functions like inventory were still intact.
Maybe a clue in there?
I scrolled through them one by one. It didn't take long to spot the windows that had popped up while I slept.
Astrius Online update commencing from this moment.
Entity "Sertina" shutdown failed.
Retrying with altered command.
Entity "Sertina" shutdown failed.
Proceeding with Astrius Online update.
My face paled as I scanned the messages.
Please tell me this didn't pop up for everyone.
With trembling hands, I grabbed my smartphone. And sure enough—my expression went slack as I slapped my forehead.
"Shit hit the fan."
Scrolling through the news, I clenched and unclenched my other fist. Air compressed in my grip. No choice. Might as well try it.
Closing my eyes, I sharpened my senses to the max, gathering the faint mana flow brushing my skin into a single point. First, convert every scrap of usable mana into ranged attacks. With so little, I'd ditch physical strength and defense.
A delicate whirlwind of air gathered.
"Good enough."
An invisible air bullet formed at my fingertips. Not ideal, but it'd deter most attackers. Gazing warily out the window.
Better play it safe, just in case.
I drew curtains over every room for now. No way those people outside were friendly. Mulling it over.
How? Mana can't just vanish like that.
Astrius Online becoming reality already defied laws. An update? Chewing on it, I hit a hypothesis.
This had to be artificial...
Vast mana flooding Earth in an instant, then gone. Unnatural. But I shelved the thought. Nothing to learn right now. Bigger fires to put out.
"Update lasts a week, right?"
Power probably wouldn't return till then. Gurgle—
My empty stomach roared louder.
Starving...
Licking my lips yielded only dry saliva.
"Sigh..."
Hand to my aching head, I let out a long breath. Regrets were pointless. Pantry empty. No way to last a week like this.
Needed a plan.
"Guess that's the only way."
Spamming back buttons to clear the screens, I hit contacts. One lone entry amid the empty space.
[Lee Min-ho]
No hesitation—I hit call.
***
"You really live in a place like this?"
Lee Min-ho couldn't hide his sigh, staring up at the towering glass building. A ultra-luxury apartment no normal person would dare enter.
"Whoa, this is insane..."
Yunsia clapped both hands over her mouth. Tier froze like a startled rabbit, eyes wide.
"What're you waiting for? Let's go."
Hwang Cheol-ho strode right in. Kim Min-seok glanced around nervously, tsked, and followed. "W-wait, coming!" Tier scurried after. Lee Min-ho and Yunsia exchanged dubious looks but trailed behind.
The hotel-like lobby opened into vast space. Platinum marble floors gleamed luxuriously; plush leather chairs invited with perfect bounce.
"Man, living here would fulfill all my dreams."
Kim Min-seok strolled the halls in awe. Spotless despite no staff, the place exuded grandeur. Easy to get lost. Yet Hwang Cheol-ho navigated flawlessly.
"This the right way?"
"Just follow me."
Assassin pathfinding skills intact. The group trudged to the elevators.
"What floor?"
Lee Min-ho checked his phone, frowned, then jabbed a button.
"Eeeek? Penthouse?!"
Tier's eyes bulged like chestnuts. Elevator, bigger than most studios, shot upward like piercing clouds.
Ding—
Doors slid open smoothly. Purple carpet stretched down a straight hall to one lone door.
Gulp.
Lee Min-ho's throat bobbed. The space alone inspired reverence, even without Sertina.
He gingerly pressed the ornate doorbell by the door. A tiny light flicked on below.
As they fidgeted, adjusting stances—the door lock clicked, and it swung open.
A wary face peeked out. Sertina. Silver-white hair with blood-red tips cascading down, eyes darting over the group.
She flung the half-open door wide in invitation.
"Come in."
They filed inside, exchanging glances. Sertina's vibe was totally off from usual. No untouchable omnipotence or charisma—just a cute girl.
"Ooooh..."
Tier groaned entering the living room. Not a house—a whole other world. Isolated luxury for one.
"Ceiling's ridiculously high."
Kim Min-seok muttered, eyes roaming. Even laid-back Hwang Cheol-ho gawked openly.
Yunsia, posture reverent, leaned toward the leading Sertina.
"This your place, Sertina?"
"Yeah. Where I woke up when I first hit Earth."
She pointed to a passing bedroom.
"Size of a soccer field. Saved a country in a past life or what?" Hwang Cheol-ho muttered flatly.
World, actually. Sertina didn't bother correcting.
"Sit here."
Vast living room. They sat gingerly on sofas, careful not to touch anything. Spacious for one, cramped for five.
"I'll grab a chair."
Sertina headed for a distant leather one. Gripping corners with both slender hands, she heaved.
"Hnnngh!"
But she just trembled in place. The heavy chair didn't budge.
"...?"
The group tilted heads. Sertina's face twisted in embarrassment, then she gripped again, wrenching like uprooting a stake.
"Hyah!"
No dice. She released and bounced back from her own momentum.
Physical strength...
All mana funneled to ranged shots. She could lift it easy converting back, but.
Need to conserve.
Yunsia stifled a laugh at the adorable sight.
"Kh."
Hand over mouth, shoulders shaking, gaze distant.
Lee Min-ho spoke cautiously.
"...Need help?"
"..."
A prickly glare—pride stung. But moments later, she nudged the chair with her foot, nodding grudgingly.
"...Yeah."
With Lee Min-ho's muscle, chairs set. Serious mood settled; talks began.
Sertina discreetly pocketed her fingertip bullet. Just in case they turned. Then crossed arms casually.
"So, the goods?"
Men placed white bags on the glass table. Cup ramen, instant rice, ham, cans, flour, meat, sauces, ingredients galore.
Sertina rummaged, then leaned back nodding approval.
"Perfect."
Legs crossed, foot bouncing—like a pleased kid. Yunsia fought a grin, sweating.
"...Did you lose your power?"
Lee Min-ho ventured hesitantly.
"Kinda."
Sertina scratched her head nonchalantly.
Kim Min-seok raised a brow.
"Then why call us...?"
"Food's part of it, sure."
Sertina met their eyes. Her red gaze gleamed under the chandelier.
"But I called to make a proposal."
"Proposal?"
Sitting straight, she steepled fingers sternly. Her usual blank face, but voice dead serious.
"How about you join me?"