Chapter 189
Chapter 189. To the Ends of the Earth (2)
“What… Well, since we are traveling together for now. Mia is over there too.”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“Ahem! By the way, can you deal with that without blowing it up? Or maybe throw the poison far away?”
“I’ll try.”
Thwip!
Min Yu-ri shot an arrow in the direction of the rolling poison bomb.
If a certain impact was applied, the bomb would explode right there.
She was conscious of that as she used her skill.
[Shape Change – Jelly]
Her magic transformed into a soft, jelly-like form, gently wrapping around the poison bomb.
The poison bomb, which was rolling around, soon went off with a bang.
But the sticky barrier of Min Yu-ri’s magic prevented the poison from spreading into the air.
‘When did she learn such a technique…?’
Yoo Ji-han was surprised by Min Yu-ri’s skill, and then turned to Kim Hyun-tae.
“What are you doing? Quickly move back!”
The poison that exploded a little farther away began to threaten them.
Sensing the danger, Kim Hyun-tae’s party quickly pulled back.
“This way!”
Yoo Ji-han led the group in a completely different direction than planned.
It was to escape and circumvent the monsters following them.
“I’ll take the lead.”
Kim Hyun-tae seemed eager to be upfront.
Instead of following Yoo Ji-han, he dashed out to the front.
Then he asked as they ran side by side.
“Yoo Ji-han! Why didn’t you tell me about something like that?”
“How could I tell you something I don’t know?”
“You must have known and kept it to yourself, right?”
Kim Hyun-tae thought Yoo Ji-han had information about the poison bomb.
He believed that Yoo Ji-han was withholding information that he was privy to.
“That can’t be.”
Yoo Ji-han shook his head at the ridiculous assumption.
How on earth could he find out about monsters showing up in Haenam?
Seeing Kim Hyun-tae, who still wouldn’t believe him, he clicked his tongue.
‘Still with the suspicion complex, huh.’
Relying solely on his instincts and easily dismissing others’ opinions on the scene.
Kim Hyun-tae was just as he had always been.
“Acting like this means further cooperation is impossible…”
“Hyun-tae, it’s noisy, so be quiet for a moment.”
Ignoring the grumbling Kim Hyun-tae beside him.
Yoo Ji-han unfolded the map that he had put in his pocket.
He guessed their current location by looking at the surrounding environment and buildings.
‘Not bad.’
Though they were taking a longer route, it seemed they wouldn’t be delayed too much in reaching their destination.
“Are you… ignoring what I just said?”
Kim Hyun-tae revealed a subtle anger as Yoo Ji-han only looked at the map and didn’t respond.
To which Yoo Ji-han replied dismissively.
“I told you at first that we should avoid confrontation, yet you were the one to attack first.”
“Ugh!”
“When someone kindly warns you, don’t just ignore it, listen a bit.”
Receiving a scolding from Yoo Ji-han, Kim Hyun-tae made a discontented expression.
He wanted to argue but had nothing to say since he was the one who made the decision.
‘Arrogant bastard…!’
When they were in the same party, he could easily dismiss him with the authority of the party leader.
Now it was definitely harder to approach him as casually as before.
Who would have thought he’d feel this kind of frustration after encountering Yoo Ji-han again!
‘I can’t let him take my role away.’
Though he had agreed to cooperate, it didn’t mean he intended to leave everything to Yoo Ji-han.
The one who should shine the brightest in crucial moments had to be him, not Yoo Ji-han.
Kim Hyun-tae suppressed his anger and waited for the right time.
*
Somewhere in Haenam, hidden in a hideout.
Rius dragged a large bundle to the wall.
“Ugh.”
As he threw the bundle against the wall, a muffled groan emerged from inside.
Rius loosened the tightly knotted rope at the entrance of the bundle.
Soon revealed was Jung Young-wook, the hero of the Dice Guild.
“Drink.”
“…!”
Rius placed a plastic water bottle to his lips.
Desperately thirsty, Jung Young-wook suckled at the bottle like a baby.
Having drained the one-third of water in the small bottle, he squeezed it, leaving not a single drop behind.
“Th-thank you.”
Jung Young-wook, who dropped the bottle on the floor, bowed his head to Rius.
A desperate struggle for survival.
The rebellious spirit he had when first captured by people from another world had entirely disappeared.
Rius was satisfied with Jung Young-wook’s attitude.
“Are you okay?”
“…”
“Tsk tsk, you should have held back.”
When Jung Young-wook was tempting other people from another world to eat Adem, they all fawned over him.
But once he was captured, they spat on his face and beat him all over his body.
They repaid him in kind for what they had suffered.
“If I hadn’t stopped them from cutting off your limbs, you would’ve died right there, you know that?”
“…I understand.”
Looking down at Jung Young-wook, Rius placed a piece of jerky in his mouth.
Caught up in the delicious taste, Jung Young-wook chewed the jerky without regaining his senses.
“Still, I like your obedient attitude like this.”
After savoring the flavor of the jerky for a while, he spoke with a dark expression.
“Why did you spare me?”
“Because I saw potential value in you.”
Though still inexperienced, you’re quite a decent young mage.
Perfect conditions to use as a hostage.
Especially if you’re from the Dice Guild, who’s protective of their members.
Rius still vividly recalled Park Jae-kyung’s furious face.
“Since I’ve brought you this far, you’ll soon have something to do.”
“…What if I refuse?”
“Is that a question you need to ask?”
“…”
If he refused a command, death was the only option left.
Having seen his comrades face death up close.
The fear of death loomed behind Jung Young-wook.
The faces of his deceased comrades floated in his mind, filling him with guilt.
Yet, he also resented the savory taste of beef lingering on his tongue.
“I hope you make a wise choice.”
Rius offered another piece of jerky to Jung Young-wook and tied up the bundle again.
Then he moved forward to where the people from another world were gathered and asked.
“What’s the current situation?”
“Not good.”
Someone pointed to a map filled with shining symbols.
They were the monster troops led by IUPC members from various regions and the heroes who were at a standstill.
Currently, they were engaged in battle with the rear guard that had come down from Seoul.
“Of all places, Yeosu had to be hit…”
Even if the heroes blocked their way, it was judged that Yeosu was the most likely place to break through.
But due to Park Jae-kyung’s surprise attack using a unique skill, it lagged behind all other regions.
Even though the leaders of Red Hole and Dice were absent.
Nonetheless, some monsters that had set off from Haenam managed to reach the vicinity of Nonsan without encountering the rear guard.
But attempting to attack Seoul with just those numbers was unrealistic.
“How’s the captain’s recovery?”
“It’s progressing smoothly.”
In this hideout with ample recovery facilities.
Their captain, who was still unconscious, was recovering his stamina.
As he wasn’t injured, they only hoped he’d awaken soon.
“The movements of the Haenam expedition are also suspicious.”
“How can they accurately head towards the hidden location of the hideout…?”
“It’s a spooky situation.”
Among the heroes tracking them from Haenam were those heading toward a different hideout.
Where on earth had they gotten their information?
This had been a consistent question since Yeosu and Goheung.
‘…Why does that guy keep coming to mind?’
At that moment, Rius suddenly thought of Yoo Ji-han’s face.
The guy who had pierced through illusion magic and chased him to the sea.
Even though he had sunk into the ocean using the whale monster, that clingy hero continued to follow him to the end!
That annoying hero’s face did not leave his mind.
‘If the plan had succeeded, he would’ve surely been mentally broken.’
Having used high-grade magic stones and even his unique magic.
He shouldn’t have to see that guy’s face anymore.
Yet why did he feel a tightness in his chest?
It might be because of Jerry, who was babbling in the corner.
“We can’t be dead like this.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because I have my eyes on that person! …Yeah! They must have entered Haenam for sure.”
This other world inhabitant was more confident in Yoo Ji-han’s survival than anyone else.
Rius thought it couldn’t be true, yet a sense of unease wouldn’t leave him.
“Rius.”
“Yes?”
IUPC’s head Im Min-soo called Rius.
He pointed at the map and said.
“Please send me.”
“…You, Min-soo?”
“I can’t just sit here while the other members are struggling.”
“Mr. Im Min-soo is the connection point between IUPC and us. If he were to be taken down, it would be problematic.”
IUPC was causing enough chaos in Korea through sheer numbers.
At the center of it was Min-soo, who had gathered members and lost monsters from various regions.
He was a control tower of sorts, capable of giving remote commands to the awakened high-ranking members.
He was an essential figure for the IUPC Korea branch.
“You will stay here until the captain awakens.”
“Do you think I’d lose to a hero?”
“Well, it’s not that.”
The one spreading the drug to control monsters on Earth had been the people from another world.
Since it wasn’t manufactured based on Earthlings, there were various side effects like weakened abilities or hair discoloration.
Yet considering those side effects, Rius couldn’t help but acknowledge Im Min-soo’s individual capability as outstanding.
He was more than capable of keeping up with them.
“I’ll go out as if I’m just having a little outing.”
“…”
“If you’re really worried, you could send that lady over there to me.”
“Jerry?”
Min-soo wanted to take Jerry with him.
“Let’s go, let’s go! I want to go too!”
Even when he offered to hand over the now soulless Yoo Ji-han, Jerry was noisy the whole day.
It would be awkward to outright ignore Min-soo’s wishes since the deaths of the members had stressed him out.
If she joined, it might provide some peace of mind.
Rius eventually agreed to the request.
“Be back within five hours. I won’t allow any more time.”
“As long as I’m going out, I might as well hunt about twenty monsters.”
Min-soo licked his lips, sticking out his long red tongue.
*
While Yoo Ji-han’s party was hurrying along the path to their destination.
Ding! Ding ding!
“Huh?”
As they reached a certain area, vibrations and notification sounds suddenly echoed everywhere.
Everyone, startled, glanced down at their mobile phones.
‘Is there no interference here?’
Yoo Ji-han checked his phone as well.
Various disaster messages and mostly missed calls filled the screen.
The most frequent missed calls were from Yang Ji-cheol of the Hero Department.
There was no need to ask what reason he’d be calling for.
“Seong-tae called too.”
“I got a call from my dad.”
The list of missed calls also included the movie director Ha Seong-tae.
From a separate message, it seemed he was worried since communication with the advance party had been cut off.
“…!”
At that moment, a thought flashed through Yoo Ji-han’s mind.
“Yu-ri.”
“Yeah?”
“The camera we brought this time, it can send the recorded video directly to the server, right?”
“Yeah! It should be possible.”
“Let’s send it now, in advance.”
Yoo Ji-han decided to send the video to Ha Seong-tae with his party members while sneaking glances at Kim Hyun-tae’s party.
Watching their swift immersion into their mobile phones, it seemed they had ample time to send the video.
‘If things go well, we might be able to do a pre-release.’
If they could publicly release a video taken in a communication-dead area faster than anyone else.
Yoo Ji-han expected that it would draw great interest.
