Chapter 119
Chapter 119
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: The Rift in Seoul's Sky
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It wasn't the time to continue the conversation.
I immediately spread my wings and flew toward the rift in the sky above Seoul.
Whatever was emerging from that rift would turn the ground below into a wasteland the moment it crashed down. That much was obvious without seeing it.
No, how the hell does something like this happen right in the middle of a national address?
The "soon" that Nia had mentioned—I never imagined it would be this soon.
I clicked my tongue.
Thank goodness I was nearby. If I'd been even a little farther away, it could've been a total disaster.
That said, these Paradise lifeforms... they seemed way more dangerous than I'd thought.
A massive lion-like figure wrapped in blade-sharp something-or-others, looking utterly grotesque.
No, calling it a lion didn't quite fit... it felt like it transcended lions entirely.
It had the vibe of a Chimera from mythology.
But the size... it was insane. That thing had to be half the size of my true form.
I was getting a glimpse of why Mutants had no choice but to be so strong.
In a world crawling with things like that, of course they'd have to power up.
The Chimera tearing through the massive rift was straight out of a nightmare, utterly unreal.
People were scattering in blind panic.
Everyone there knew better than anyone that this wasn't some prank.
In a world where Mutants already existed, no one would think that thing popping out was just someone's joke.
No, but Nia? Isn't this a bit different from what you said?
You told me Earth's vegetation was changing, and Paradise lifeforms were being born from that influence.
But this is clearly an invasion from another world.
Technically, Paradise is another world... but for someone like me who'd pictured Earth's lifeforms gradually morphing into Paradise ones, this hit like a sucker punch to the back of the head.
I'd have to ask for the full details later. Not that I expected much.
She knows a lot about the World Tree, but I doubt she knows everything.
Or maybe I'll ask Han-gyeol later.
The almighty Yahweh might have something to say.
But that was a problem for later.
Right now, I had to deal with the bastard ripping through the rift from mid-air.
If it showed even a shred of reason, I might've tried talking...
But no, it didn't seem like it.
-Grrrrowl...
A beastly growl echoed. And from it radiated pure malice.
No doubt about it. The thing harbored intense hostility toward all other life.
This was turning into a bigger shitshow than I'd anticipated.
If all Paradise lifeforms were like this... areas without Mutants would be obliterated in no time.
Even places with Mutants would have issues. Not every Mutant is friendly toward people.
Lost in thought, the creature burst fully through the rift, spreading its wings in the sky and roaring.
Lion's head, eagle's wings, serpent's tail.
It was a perfect match for the Chimera described in myths.
And it wasn't just one Chimera.
Suddenly, a swarm of Paradise lifeforms started pouring out from where it had emerged.
No time for woolgathering. Thinking could wait...
Right now, I needed to take these things out.
Dragging it out with experiments could endanger the surroundings, and even if I killed them, falling corpses or debris could cause property damage or casualties.
No time to dawdle—I had to end this quick.
I projected my will onto reality.
-Cluster together.
The lifeforms pouring from the sky around the Chimera began to merge into one mass.
It wasn't just merging.
Crunch-crack!
The sound of flesh grinding and bones shattering rang clearly in my ears.
The creatures were literally being compressed into a single lump.
-Kraaaah!
Their agonized screams filled my ears.
The fierce hostility I'd sensed earlier was gone.
All they felt toward me now was abject terror.
It didn't take long for them to compress into a single point.
Then, I snapped my fingers.
Snap!
In an instant, the lumped-up mass of monster flesh burst into flames, crumbling to ash in the air and vanishing.
For now... they were dealt with. But this...
The aftermath scares me. Feels like my workload just exploded.
If I hadn't been here... how bad would the damage have been?
Looks like I need to head back to the address venue. We've still got unfinished business.
* * *
People watching TV couldn't help but be stunned.
Right in the middle of the national address, Seo-hyun had bolted from her seat.
It wasn't just her who vanished.
Even the broadcast staff seemed to have evacuated in a hurry, leaving the feed showing an empty stage with no one around.
Viewers instantly sensed something serious had gone down.
At the same time, internet news about an incident in Seoul started flooding in.
[Unidentified Rift in the Sky]
Most posts featured photos of the sudden sky rift and the monsters emerging from it.
People realized just how hardcore journalists are.
Even in that chaos, they're snapping pics.
Of course, they only dared because they saw Seo-hyun step in, signaling it was safe.
A short while later, Seo-hyun appeared alone on the empty broadcast stage.
She grabbed the mic and spoke.
-I apologize for abruptly leaving. An unidentified rift opened in the sky over Seoul, and bizarre lifeforms were descending, so I went to handle it. The immediate crisis has been resolved.
Seo-hyun let out a sigh.
-It was a bit disorienting, but continuing from where I left off: to counter these emerging phenomena, the Management Bureau has formed a special task force of Mutants. Combat-capable Mutants will protect you and your cities going forward, with me at the core.
-Please refrain from leaving urban areas for the time being. We don't know what might appear in remote spots, so especially avoid coastlines. Mutants aren't infinite in number—nor am I. The government is preparing guidelines and legislation related to this, to be implemented as soon as possible.
-I repeat: avoid remote areas and coastlines, and please hold off on overseas travel for now. This isn't just happening in Korea. It's worldwide.
-Some might ask: Isn't Korea unsafe too? Wouldn't a bigger landmass abroad be safer? No. I guarantee you, no place is as safe as Korea right now. Because I'm here.
-Finally, if you spot any bizarre lifeforms, contact the Management Bureau immediately. That's all. The Bureau will do everything to protect your lives and property.
Seo-hyun finished speaking and rushed off somewhere.
The broadcast ended simultaneously.
* * *
[Fuck, what the hell is this...?]
I'm in Seoul and suddenly monsters rip through the sky;;
(Chimera photo)
It was so fucking huge I nearly pissed myself
And it wasn't alone
Tons of smaller ones came pouring out;;
Tried to snap out of it and run, then the monsters suddenly compressed into a point and burned up without a trace
Looked up and saw the Director there;;
Everyone around collapsed in relief
We survived
-Fuckin hell;;
-Is the world really fucked now?
-Feels like it lololol
-Holy shit, what if the Director hadn't been there?
└Right?? Thought we were dead
[Director restarts national address]
Funny part: everyone else fled the scene, so she was talking all alone
But "Korea is the safest" << facts lol
Says don't travel abroad cuz Korea's safest where she is
-She's spitting facts lol
-Honestly was iffy even with Director there, but after she oneshot those sky bastards in 10 secs, mind changed ㅇㅇ Korea's safest
-No other country has a Mutant like that lol
[Just posting for now]
(Photo of Seo-hyun looking up, eyes closed)
God.
-Lmao upvote
-And it's not just Director, we've got Yeonhwa unnie too
-? Yeonhwa unnie that strong?
-Yeah, Director said herself: next after her in Korea are Yeonhwa unnie and Seraph;; Unnie could wipe out two or three countries if she wanted
-Whoa shit;; She just seems like a ditzy unnie on broadcasts
-Right?? Lmao
[Suddenly chugging national pride, can't think straight]
Proud af that a Mutant like this is Korean
Gonna run around waving the Taegukgi lol
-Fuck outta here~
The whole world was in chaos.
This threat dwarfed Mutations by comparison.
Sudden invasion by bizarre lifeforms, humanity on the brink of extinction.
Naturally, public perception of individual Mutants skyrocketed.
Mutants were aware of it too.
The countries still rejecting Mutants were now desperate.
Nations that had shunned Mutants and forced them into Mutant cities were trembling in fear.
Mutants had free will, and they had zero intention of serving the countries that abandoned them.
Who in their right mind would want to help a nation and its people that rejected them?
Some countries begged international organizations, but they couldn't just comply.
They had no right to force Mutants, nor the power.
As a result, all eyes turned to Korea and California, home to the World Tree.
"...Aigoo, this is nuts."
Inevitably, Seo-hyun's workload was about to explode.