As Evan had inford Si-Hyun, the number of dungeons appearing on Earth continued to rise at an alarming rate.
Not only were low-grade dungeons increasing, but the number of high-grade dungeons was also skyrocketing. So weaker nations had begun abandoning specific regions altogether, unable to cope with the overwhelming threat. Many islands across the globe had fallen to monsters, accelerating the pace of their invasion.
“At this rate, won’t Earth really end up destroyed?”
“It’s not Earth that’ll be destroyed—it’s humanity.”
“Ugh, sa difference!”
People spent their days gripped by a vague but constant unease. News outlets delivered new reports on dungeons almost daily.
[Global Dungeon Ergence Accelerates… Humanity Faces Extinction Threat.]
[(Breaking News) Dungeon Overload Escalates! Now Beyond Predictable Limits.]
[“Ti is Running Out!” Surge in High-Grade Dungeons Sparks Global Alarm.]
While chaos engulfed nations around the world, Korea remained relatively stable in comparison. Thanks to Si-Hyun’s earlier efforts in sweeping through the country’s dungeons, the focus could now shift to dealing with newly erging ones. Even so, the number of dungeons was anything but small.
On a news broadcast, an expert made the following remarks:
“Up until last year, dungeon appearances seed to have finally settled down. But this year, we’ve seen a dramatic upward trend.”
“Statistically speaking, the possibility of SS-rank or higher dungeons appearing cannot be ruled out.”
“The rate at which humanity is adapting to mana is far slower than the speed of dungeon and monster invasions.”
“Had the rate of increase remained steady, humanity might have gradually adapted to the gate phenonon and found a balance.”
“However, the sudden acceleration of dungeon and monster invasions has left humanity with no ti to catch up.”
The analysis, grounded in hard statistics, was sobering. Those watching the broadcast had uniformly grim expressions. Anxiety outweighed hope, and the expert’s warnings resonated like a dire alarm. The phrase “ti is running out” encapsulated the essence of the situation.
Amid the global turmoil, in a large house in Seoul with a beautiful garden, six individuals gathered together.
***
“They say invaders from another world are coming?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
At the elder’s question, Evan nodded. I sipped my drink, quietly observing the conversation unfold.
“Is there any way to know when they’ll arrive?”
“It’s uncertain,” Evan replied earnestly to Ji-Ah’s question. “But if we had to estimate, it’s highly likely they’ll invade within the next few days.”
Jason, seemingly uninterested, sat quietly, while the next person to speak was Yeo Dohyung. His question wasn’t directed at Evan, but at .
“Si-Hyun, are we really facing a truly evil enemy?”
“Yes. And they’re going to be unimaginably powerful.”
I nodded slightly as I answered. While Evan claid not to know the exact identity of the invaders, I had my own thoughts.
I was more than halfway certain.
The so-called Hero and his won were coming. The necromancer and Isabel, whom we had encountered as dungeon bosses, were the undeniable proof.
“….”
I took another sip of my drink and glanced at the faces of the people gathered in the living room.
Ji-Ah, my dear friend and now Korea’s greatest spear-user.
Yeo Dohyung, Earth’s only true magician as far as I knew.
Jason, who might be a bit—or rather, a lot—of a pervert but always got the job done.
The elder, a kind-faced grandfather but strong enough to earn the title of Sword Saint.
And Evan, who placed his trust in and was willing to bet everything on it.
These weren’t just comrades.
They were people I could truly rely on.
True allies.
They were nothing like the Hero’s party from the other world—filled with arrogance, hypocrisy, and lies. These people were different. With them, I had no fear of any enemy, no matter how formidable.
Trust.
Belief.
Resolve.
These were feelings I had lost long ago in the other world.
But here on Earth, I had finally reclaid them.
Now, I had only one task left: to protect what I had regained and move forward.
I was no longer anyone’s puppet.
I would live my life by my own will, shaping my future alongside these people.
I was no longer alone.
“Haa…”
A warm feeling welled up in my chest, and I lightly wet my lips with my tongue. A sudden impulse rose within —I wanted to share this feeling with them.
Straightening my shoulders, I spoke.
“Everyone, listen.”
All eyes turned toward . eting each of their gazes one by one, I continued.
“First, thank you so much for trusting and standing by my side.”
The battles ahead would undeniably be dangerous, but these people had all agreed to help without a mont’s hesitation.
“As much as you’ve placed your trust in , I also trust in all of you.”
I believed in them. I was certain we could overco anything together. No matter the adversity, we would prevail.
Because we were—
“The strongest party on Earth. And we’ll crush any insolent invaders without breaking a sweat.”
I smiled confidently, and my precious comrades responded with their own bright, determined smiles.
Their faces brimd with confidence, and I knew mine did too.
***
After the discussion about the upcoming battle and sharing information, I returned ho to find my younger sister sprawled out on the sofa, looking utterly relaxed.
Sothing about the sight struck —it looked so peaceful.
Was this how I appeared when I was at ho? The thought crossed my mind, along with a quiet resolution that this was a precious scene I needed to protect.
“You’re back, sis?”
“Yeah. You had dinner, right?”
“Mm… kind of, just snacked on sothing.”
We exchanged lighthearted small talk as I took a seat beside her. The soft, comforting feel of the sofa wrapped around . It was the kind of comfort that made all my worries montarily disappear. Shifting slightly to savor the sensation, I thought aloud.
“When we move into a new house, we absolutely need to get a top-of-the-line sofa.”
“Are you planning to live on it even after moving?”
“Maybe? Honestly, sofas are the best.”
“Pfft, why don’t we just get one for the living room and another for your room? The new place will be spacious, and you’ve got plenty of money anyway.”
“...That’s not a bad idea.”
Si-Yoon giggled at her own joke, but to , it sounded like a genuinely good suggestion. I lightly tapped my cheek with my fingers, seriously considering the idea.
“Wait, you’re really thinking about it that seriously?” she said, her tone laced with disbelief. “I an, sis, have you heard of sofa beds?”
“Sofa beds?”
“Yeah, they’re sofas that fold out into beds. Dual-purpose.”
“…Humans really are amazing.”
“Ahaha! But, I’ve heard they’re kind of uncomfortable in both forms. But hey, with your skills, I’m sure you could figure sothing out.”
Her amused tone was infectious, and I responded with equal seriousness.
“Whether I have skills or not, I’ll just ask Da-Young for help. We can add all kinds of convenient features.”
“Da-Young? Why bring in a crafting hunter for a sofa?”
“Wouldn’t it be amazing to make an all-in-one sofa using mana stones? Sounds perfect to .”
“…Wow. Sis, you really think differently from .”
“Why? What were you thinking?”
“I was suggesting you just custom order one with money…”
Si-Yoon shook her head as if she couldn’t believe . Watching her, I casually added an offer.
“If there’s anything you want, just tell . I’ll make it happen. Crafting hunters are seriously impressive, you know? They can make just about anything.”
“Uh, sure. I’ll think about it.”
“No, seriously. If you want, I’ll even make you a voice changer. I know how to use voice modulation magic, too.”
“…Now that’s tempting.”
As expected of a strear. Si-Yoon’s ears perked up with interest, and her curious expression was so cute that I couldn’t help but ruffle her hair.
I expected her to resist, even just a little, but she stayed unusually still. Curious, I glanced at her, and she slowly began to speak.
“…Sis, um, you know.”
“What? Do you have a question?”
“No, it’s not that… It’s just… make sure you co back safely, okay?”
“Ah.”
She really was an adorable little sister.
On the surface, we’d been joking around, but deep down, she’d been worried about all along.
“Ji-Ah will be with , and there’ll be other incredible people too, so I’ll be fine. But you, on the other hand, need to stay safe and wait, okay? What did I tell you to do?”
“Join the Wing Guild!”
“Exactly. And I’m sending my apprentice’s party there, too. Stick with the hunters Da-Young brought together, and wait for . In the anti, I’ll take care of all the villains and co right back to you.”
“Got it!”
Her spirited reply filled with an unexpected surge of strength.
This was a scene I would protect no matter what.
My precious family.
There’s no way I’d lose to scum like that so-called Hero!
Resolving myself, I tightened my determination for the battles to co.
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