Savior (4)
“Two hundred million...?”
Someone muttered those words in a trembling voice.
Of course, it hadn’t been confirmed as the final tally. But even that alone changed the looks in their eyes.
“……”
In the heavy silence that fell, Yun-seok scanned the reactions of the others. It was like they were staring at an alien lifeform. The challengers whose eyes met his quickly averted their gazes.
Joban Trocian was no different.
What the hell is the big deal about this number...?
He didn’t know exactly how Maria Hopkins’s technique worked or how precise it was. But he suspected it was probably just a composite of ranks.
Quantifying combat power into a single number didn’t make any sense to Yun-seok anyway. That’s why he’d gone along with Michael’s request for confirmation.
With all the abilities he’d acquired through Predation, he figured his score wouldn’t be easily outdone on paper.
Well, in that sense, I guess it’s not so hard to understand...?
Stats and skill ranks weren’t everything. But they were a fair yardstick for gauging baseline levels.
And Joban’s score had been 11 million. Michael had said there were fewer than six challengers worldwide at that level. Even they had been at a loss against the demon’s 60 million.
Two hundred million in this situation? From their perspective, it was only natural for Yun-seok to look like a monster.
They said Earth has the weakest power among the dimensions... Guess that’s really true.
Yun-seok smacked his lips bitterly.
According to Elle, the full-scale invasion hadn’t even begun yet. Stronger invaders would come.
Even if challengers from other dimensions had pulled strings, failing to stop even one invader? If they didn’t want Earth’s doom, Yun-seok would have to keep an eye on it.
That realization made even this moment feel like a waste.
“I think that’s proof enough. Can we head out now?”
At Yun-seok’s request, Michael—who was still dazed—nodded.
“Y-yes, of course! To the rooftop. The helicopter’s waiting.”
Did they trust Maria’s combat power measurement that much? They didn’t ask about his equipment, skills, or fighting style even as they boarded the chopper.
As if once they reached the destination, Yun-seok would handle everything.
Thud thud thud thud thud!
The helicopter carrying Yun-seok, Joban, and Michael sped toward the target.
Honestly, flying with wings would’ve been faster. But without powers, he lacked confidence in navigating the vast ocean to the spot on his own.
Yun-seok closed his eyes, hoping for a quick arrival.
How much time passed?
“Mr. Choi Yun-seok...?”
Michael, who’d been busy radioing reports to his superiors even after takeoff, finally spoke to him.
“What is it?”
“Sorry to disturb your rest. But there’s a request from above...”
“A request?”
Michael broke into a sweat as he explained.
“Uh... could we film you fighting and use it for publicity? Oh, not live broadcast, of course. We can mosaic if you want. We’ll accommodate any conditions.”
“……”
As Yun-seok stared silently, Michael’s face paled further and he began making excuses.
“The whole world’s anxious about this incident. Third-world countries are on the verge of riots.”
“So?”
“If we release footage of you taking down the invader, it’ll ease the public’s fears a lot.”
Classic American hero-making. Yun-seok could already see how they’d spin the footage politically.
But...
“I-it’s not my opinion; they just told me to ask. I’ll report no.”
“No, tell them it’s fine.”
Yun-seok agreed.
This could settle the debt from their deal. But incurring another favor like this would make them protect his parents even harder.
Not that that was the only reason...
“Pardon?”
“Go ahead and film. No mosaic needed. You can release personal info except name and age.”
“...Is that for real?”
Michael looked like a drowning man grasping a straw.
“Thank you. The U.S. government won’t forget this favor.”
As Yun-seok closed his eyes again, Michael happily radioed the news everywhere.
And then.
Joban, who’d been silent since boarding, finally spoke to Yun-seok.
“...How do you get that strong?”
It was a bit premature since he hadn’t even seen a fight, but Yun-seok answered honestly.
“Beats me. I don’t know either.”
Probably not what Joban expected. But it was the truth.
He didn’t know. It just happened. If he had to pinpoint a reason...
Keep challenging, keep surviving? Bluntly, Yun-seok felt less “strong” and more like they were weak.
He added,
“But I know why you’re weaker than me.”
“Because I’m a Mission Trial challenger.”
Joban replied. But that wasn’t it.
“No. Because you didn’t challenge what you thought you couldn’t do.”
Missioners would get it. Missions let you choose difficulty.
Duel had no choice. Just endless challenges, extreme opponents or not—Yun-seok fought his all.
Repeat that, and here he was.
“……”
Joban clamped his mouth, lost in thought. Maybe he got it.
Thanks to that, Yun-seok organized his mind undisturbed until arrival.
Did he get summoned to the Tower or something?
He thought of Kang Hyung-woo, out of contact. A leap, maybe. But it felt right.
Even if true, no big deal.
Still bugs me.
He’d have to watch Hyung-woo from now on. On Earth or Tower, avoid encounters.
Even if revenge was abandoned, Yun-seok wouldn’t spare him if spotted now.
“We’ve arrived.”
At Michael’s words, Yun-seok opened his eyes.
Below, over the sea, a blackish-brown slime-like monster sprawled.
Was that even alive? It writhed nonstop, proving every part lived.
“This is as far as helicopters can go. Further in, the main body launches ranged attacks.”
Destination reached. Yun-seok drew his two swords.
Michael’s gear: luxury made from rift-closing rift stones. Nothing compared to his originals.
“There’s a support ability user in the chopper next door. They’ll assist midair mobility on drop.”
Michael pointed to a hovering chopper nearby.
Global attention: choppers dotted the sky. Many already filming, as pre-arranged.
“……”
Yun-seok looked down.
Undeveloped coastline: hundreds of ships afloat, challengers aboard holding the line.
“No. No support needed.”
“Pardon?”
Ignoring stunned Michael, Yun-seok leaped from the open door.
Michael urgently radioed—surely requesting support.
But...
“Avatar.”
Wings sprouted from falling Yun-seok’s back. Michael lowered the radio.
“……”
A human sprouting massive wings. Unprecedented in reality.
Yet Michael thought it suited Yun-seok perfectly.
No mosaic needed, huh? That’s why...
The moment wings emerged, Yun-seok’s face changed too.
Whatever skill, no one could link that face to him.
As he descended.
“Light of Purification.”
Brilliant light burst around Yun-seok. Holy aura, tinged eerie red—angelic yet demonic.
As expected.
Yun-seok smirked faintly.
Evolved to permanent, swordless use: purified all unclean things.
The “Hatcher” invader—unclean as its look—matched perfectly.
Sizzle!
The light spread wide, melting the sea-spanning Hatcher body.
Did it feel pain?
“Greeeeek—!”
Harsh noise. The central, island-like mountain-mass—original island?—vomited something.
But...
Sizzle!
Dark-red slime vaporized on entering the light.
No obstacles left, Yun-seok scattered light, purifying untouched spots rapidly.
The invader world powers couldn’t handle? No real resistance.
“Truly...”
Michael, Joban, countless watchers—challengers, officials—speechless.
One thought united them:
“Is that really human like us...?”
World has common-sense standards. Challengers added theirs.
Yet Yun-seok transcended even that. Wings, radiance—inhuman.
“S-Savior...!”
Some saw hope. With that power on Earth, they could endure coming doom.
Public release? Crowds would hail him Messiah, spawn cults maybe.
Thus...
Governments felt massive dread.
If savior-hero, fine. No issue.
But most read reports: Korean Hospital incident.
Yun-seok ignored this era’s laws. Natural, perhaps.
Laws exist because groups overpower individuals.
Yun-seok surpassed all groups.
“If absolutes are called gods, what’s the difference?”
Tower of Heaven, challengers, coming end... Yun-seok seemed divine chaos-ender.
One official licked dry lips.
A world with real gods...
“Terrifying.”
Paradise for some, hell for others.
* * *
Just flying, scattering light.
Yet two-thirds of Hatcher purified already.
World couldn’t contain its growth? Absurd feat.
But Yun-seok stayed vigilant.
It’s about time...
As he scanned warily.
“Orb of Chaos.”
The demon from footage appeared.
Atop Hatcher core, palm aimed at Yun-seok.
Whoooosh!
Yun-seok dodged instantly.
A massive sphere annihilated where he’d be in one second.
Found you.
Yun-seok flew at the revealed demon.
Demon didn’t flee—palm out again.
Didn’t realize futility.
Slow or immobile challengers might fall. Not Yun-seok to a 5-second delay.
Whoooosh!
Shorter distance this time.
Yun-seok evaded unscathed; demon’s face showed panic.
High-speed short-range spatial warp.
Yun-seok closed in instantly via authority.
Exposed neck in view. One sword swing: done.
But...
Crack!
Backhand with left fist instead.
A duel has been established.
Prepare yourself. The duel will begin shortly.
Saving Earth was saving Earth.
But he’d claim all he could.
Even without, questions piled for this demon.
It wouldn’t spill truth easily, but...
No worry now. Time was plentiful.