Another month had passed.
During that ti, Choi Hyun-seok had perfectly adapted to prehistoric life.
His beard had grown bushy, and his unkempt hair flew about wildly.
Though Rachel’s magic maintained cleanliness, that was all.
His clothes, roughly sewn together from beast hides, looked no different from those of ancient prehistoric hunters.
“Hero! What level are you now!?”
“Eight hundred and twenty-one.”
“Wow! You’ve risen so much!”
By now, Choi Hyun-seok’s level had exceeded 800.
He was level 740 before coming to Inessimot, aning he’d gained 80 levels in just 6 weeks.
Because of this, he had hoped to reach level 1,000 well before half a year, let alone the year Park Hyun-a ntioned, but…
‘Not a chance.’
Recently, his leveling speed had started dropping dramatically.
It seems reaching level 1,000 in a short ti is far from achievable.
As expected, nothing in life cos easy.
“Hero! What if you beco super strong and defeat the Demon King in an instant!?”
“Then we’ll ditch the mutt and the witch and go on a macaron journey together!”
“Lately I’ve been wondering what it would be like if I was born human…”
Rachel really chattered endlessly.
For over a month now.
How could she have so much to say…
At first it was annoying, but now he thinks it’s nice not being alone.
It had its own charm, like listening to a high-energy radio broadcast.
“Hero!”
Rachel called out to Choi Hyun-seok again today without fail.
Choi Hyun-seok, lying on the ground, slowly opened his eyes.
“What.”
“I just wanted to call you. Hehe.”
“Call for no reason one more ti and I’ll hang you upside down in the middle of a Liark pack.”
Choi Hyun-seok closed his eyes again.
He had already been fighting for nearly ten hours.
Trying to finally rest his tired body, he couldn’t speak kindly when being bothered.
Just as he was about to fall asleep.
“Hero hero hero!”
Choi Hyun-seok jumped up and grabbed Rachel.
“You thought I was joking? Huh? I’m a man of my word. I’m going to hang you right now. Just wait.”
“No, that’s not it! Please listen…”
“Dear custor! You’ve chosen the Liark Stomach Tour Package! An excellent choice!”
Madness dripped from Choi Hyun-seok’s eyes.
Being pushed to extre combat situations for over a month had driven him insane.
He grinned while tying Rachel up with beast tendons.
“Well, since you’re a blonde beauty, the Liarks will like you too.”
Just as Rachel’s Liark stomach journey was about to begin.
“Sigh, this crazy bastard.”
A familiar voice ca from the hideout entrance.
Turning around, Park Hyun-a was standing there with a crooked posture.
“Ah… When did you arrive?”
“Since you were rolling your eyes trying to kill that fairy?”
“…”
“Never mind, follow . I have sothing to say.”
“Yes ma’am.”
Choi Hyun-seok jumped up and followed Park Hyun-a.
No matter how crazy he was, he was a proper hero who thoroughly followed the strong-weak-weak-strong hierarchy ingrained in his bones.
Rachel, still tied up, hopped along following him.
“Ah, hero! Untie this! Take with you!”
***
Outside, Abelson and Bobo were waiting.
Choi Hyun-seok’s eyes welled up when he t Abelson’s gaze.
“Miss Abelson…”
After a month of just fighting beasts, eting a beauty brought peace to his heart.
‘I didn’t know how precious fresh air was…’
People tend to forget their gratitude when they get used to sothing.
When Abelson was always around, it was just normal, but now he realized how much emotional comfort traveling with a beauty had provided.
“It’s been so long!”
“It’s been a while, Mr. Choi Hyun-seok.”
“How have you been? I’ve spent the whole month…”
“Kwang!”
“Yes, yes. I missed you too, Bobo.”
Bobo rushed in during the conversation.
Bobo, whom he hadn’t seen in a while, seed bigger than before, and his demonic energy had grown even denser.
“Save the unnecessary greetings for later. We don’t have ti, so listen carefully.”
Park Hyun-a said.
Imdiately, Choi Hyun-seok and Abelson separated and stood at attention.
Even Bobo sat down with his bottom on the ground, waiting for Park Hyun-a’s words.
“Sothing ca up, so I’ll be gone for a while. Not long, about two days?”
“Where are you going?”
“You wouldn’t know even if I tell you.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Stay together, all three of you, until I return. Though this isn’t the center, it’s still Inessimot. Stay alert since you never know what might happen.”
The group’s relatively safe hunting so far was largely thanks to Park Hyun-a’s role.
She prevented too strong enemies from approaching in advance, and directly stepped in to save them when they were truly about to die.
Sotis she would deliberately drive beasts toward them when they seed too relaxed, but still.
Anyway, Park Hyun-a, who had been protecting and nurturing the group all this ti, was worried now that she was about to leave.
‘They’ve grown quite a bit, so they should be fine if the three stick together.’
After looking at Choi Hyun-seok, Abelson, and Bobo each in turn, Park Hyun-a turned around and waved.
“Well, I’m off. Don’t get lazy without around, keep leveling up.”
“Yes!”
With those words, Park Hyun-a disappeared.
At the sa ti, Choi Hyun-seok spread his arms and cheered.
“Freedom! Freedom!”
Suddenly, he felt a strong impact on the back of his head.
“You punk. I told you to stay alert.”
“…”
“I’m really going now. Stay alert at all tis.”
“Yes ma’am.”
Park Hyun-a really left.
Choi Hyun-seok, who was about to spread his arms and cheer again, secretly checked his surroundings.
“Never mind…”
Sohow, he strongly felt he shouldn’t do it.
Afterwards, the group briefly shared their joy of reunion.
They talked about what had happened during their ti apart, but Choi Hyun-seok had nothing much to say since he’d only experienced brutal combat.
However, Abelson was different.
“What!? Is that true?”
“Yes. She taught many things.”
Unlike Choi Hyun-seok who was practically abandoned for a month, Abelson had received one-on-one tutoring.
‘Co to think of it, her clothes are different too…’
Unlike Choi Hyun-seok who looked like a primitive man, Abelson was extrely neat.
Pretty and clean clothes with well-grood hair.
Together, they looked like Beauty and the Beast.
“Ah, these clothes were given to by Miss Park Hyun-a. They fit well since we have similar builds.”
“I see.”
Despite his indifferent voice, Choi Hyun-seok’s lips were slightly protruding.
“Anyway, what specifically did you learn?”
Park Hyun-a is a legendary-level powerhouse.
He couldn’t help but wonder what kind of education such a person would provide.
“From general combat knowledge to body control, handling holy power, and even offensive magic. She taught really extensively.”
“Hmm…”
“It’s not just broad but also incredibly deep. Especially regarding holy power and magic, I was amazed every ti I learned…”
Abelson continued passionately about how excellent Park Hyun-a’s education was.
As a result, Choi Hyun-seok’s lips protrude even more.
“… Thanks to that, even though it was only for a short ti, I can feel that I’ve gotten stronger.”
“The aura you give off is certainly different.”
Abelson’s emanating energy had changed.
Sharper and more refined than before.
Her holy power had also beco more vast and deep.
Choi Hyun-seok stroked his chin while pondering these changes in Abelson.
‘Didn’t she just grow stronger not too long ago?’
Abelson had awakened to save Choi Hyun-seok during the previous necromancy incident.
At that ti, her holy power had grown significantly after defeating the legendary undead Lophar Dozer, but now she seed even stronger than then.
“Miss Abelson. May I check your combat power?”
“Yes. I’m curious too.”
Choi Hyun-seok put on the combat power ter and looked at Abelson.
The result was shocking.
[Combat Power: 132,430]
Choi Hyun-seok blinked repeatedly.
‘This is strange. Why is it so high?’
Either the combat power ter was broken, or his mory was wrong.
It had to be one of the two.
“Miss Abelson. What was your combat power when we last asured it?”
“I think it was around seventy-eight thousand.”
“…”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Haha…!”
Abelson tilted her head slightly.
Her silver hair, now back to its original color, hung down with the movent.
“What’s my combat power?”
“One hundred and thirty-two thousand.”
“It increased quite a bit.”
“Quite… Quite…”
To say ‘quite a bit’ when her combat power had nearly doubled in such a short ti.
Choi Hyun-seok clutched his slightly aching stomach.
His lips protruded even more.
“Since we’re checking, shall we look at Mr. Choi Hyun-seok too?”
“Yes… Please.”
Abelson took the combat power ter and put it on.
Choi Hyun-seok waited for the results with a tense expression.
“It’s high.”
“Oh oh, how much is it!?”
Abelson read the number on the ter.
“One hundred and forty thousand.”
“What?”
“To be exact, one hundred forty thousand seven hundred twenty-eight.”
[Combat Power: 140,728]
Choi Hyun-seok nodded with a disappointed expression.
‘It did increase a lot, but…’
Since his previous combat power was 110,000, it had increased by 30,000 in a short ti.
While this was certainly remarkable growth…
Having just seen Abelson’s incredible growth, he couldn’t shake the feeling that it was sohow lacking.
“While we’re at it, should we check Bobo too?”
“Bobo will probably be unasurable anyway.”
Choi Hyun-seok, his lips thoroughly protruding, said listlessly.
The last ti they asured Bobo’s combat power, it was in the 190,000 range.
Since Choi Hyun-seok’s asuring device could only asure up to 200,000, it was likely to show as unasurable.
[Combat Power: Unasurable]
“You’re right.”
After checking Bobo’s combat power, Abelson returned the ter.
While putting the ter away, Choi Hyun-seok made a resolution.
‘Even though she agreed to be my master in the first place, she only taught Abelson… When she cos back, I’ll definitely confront her about this!’
Park Hyun-a had neglected her official(?) disciple and only taught Abelson.
Even Bobo seed to have received better care than him.
‘This is clearly a dereliction of duty as a master!’
Choi Hyun-seok was determined not to back down this ti.
***
Sowhere on the continent, in deep mountains untouched by human hands.
A single log cabin sat alone in the middle of the forest.
Park Hyun-a arrived in front and entered through the door with familiarity.
Creeak-
The roughly made hinges made a squeaking noise.
Inside, a woman was sitting in a chair.
The woman turned to Park Hyun-a with smiling eyes.
“It’s been a while. Thank you for coming.”
“Sullivan. Was it six years ago when we last t?”
“Yes. It must have been around then.”
The woman called Sullivan nodded and continued.
“I heard you left the Demon King’s Army.”
“You found out quickly.”
“Well, information from the Demon King’s side tends to be delayed.”
Despite Park Hyun-a’s sowhat aggressive tone, Sullivan maintained her gentle smile.
“So. Why did you suddenly call ?”
“I need to request your help.”
“Help?”
“The continent is in danger because of necromancy.”
Park Hyun-a’s eyebrows twitched at the word necromancy.
She too was aware of necromancy from what she had heard from Choi Hyun-seok.
But it was strange that the continent was in crisis.
“No matter how much they rampage with bones, they wouldn’t stand a chance if the Holy Empire moves.”
Demonic energy is weak against holy power.
Especially necromancy and undead were particularly vulnerable.
No matter how many undead pour out, it was clear they would be dealt with instantly if the Holy Empire stepped in.
“True. If the Holy Empire steps in, that would be the case.”
“Don’t tell …?”
“Yes. The Holy Empire is standing by.”
“Those bastards… They just cleaned up their internal affairs and washed their hands of it?”
“No. Necromancy hasn’t appeared within the Holy Empire at all. Thanks to that, the entire continent is in turmoil.”
Sullivan handed over a piece of paper with sad eyes.
Park Hyun-a received it, read the contents, and smirked.
“Only nations blessed by God shall know peace? Those bastards. They’re always clever when it cos to things like this.”
It was a kind of flyer.
One announcing the greatness of the Holy Empire of Gatren.
“Is the Demon King working with the Pope again?”
“I don’t think so. The Demon King’s Army forced a full-scale attack. Currently, Gatren is suffering the most damage.”
“Then what? What’s going on?”
Sullivan took a sip of tea to wet her mouth before starting a detailed explanation.
“The Demon King has been preparing for the necromancy attack for a long ti. He probably planned to create chaos inland with necromancy and push the frontlines instantly.”
“…”
“However, Gatren noticed and prepared, so they blocked the necromancy in advance.”
Only the Holy Empire of Gatren wasn’t affected by necromancy.
Even in this situation, the Demon King forced the planned full-scale attack.
“Originally, humans should help each other clean up internal necromancy and stop the incoming Demon King’s Army.”
“But Gatren didn’t, and they’re only focused on defending their own country?”
“Yes. Other nations won’t be able to withstand both necromancy and the Demon King’s Army attacks, even if Gatren can.”
“Those Gatren bastards. What are they thinking?”
It’s a crisis where all human forces could collapse if they’re not careful.
Yet they’re only trying to save themselves and not helping other nations.
It seed strange no matter how you thought about it.
“I think Gatren plans to absorb other nations during this opportunity.”
Park Hyun-a made a dumbfounded expression at Sullivan’s words.
“So since they can stop the Demon King’s Army alone anyway, they’re going to let other nations collapse and swallow them all at once?”
“That’s the gist of it.”
“They’re really crazy…”
Fighting demons while swallowing other kingdoms at the sa ti.
Bold and endlessly arrogant.
“Well, they’ve always been like that. Acting all nice in front while desperately trying to devour fellow humans behind the scenes.”
In reality, Gatren’s most feared opponents were not demons but fellow humans.
While holy power was strong against demonic energy, it was weak against magic.
They put great effort into the large-scale hero project mainly to deal with other humans, not demons.
The Holy Empire had been preparing to destroy other kingdoms for a long ti.
“They want to sweep away the demons, swallow other nations, do everything. Their ambition is good but… Don’t they think their stomach might burst from eating too much?”
“Gatren is strong. Even if they self-destruct, the continent will suffer irreparable wounds.”
Sullivan looked straight at Park Hyun-a.
“So please help us, Miss Park Hyun-a.”
“Sigh, what a hassle…”
Park Hyun-a was scratching the back of her head with a troubled expression when she suddenly snapped her fingers.
“Ah! That would work.”
“What?”
“Just open one spatial transport gate to our base.”
“Spatial transport gate? Where are you planning to connect it to?”
Park Hyun-a grinned as she answered.
“Inessimot.”
It was a perfect opportunity to combine leveling up with practical training.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter! If you would like to support or read advanced chapters, you can do so by unlocking chapters.
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