Chapter 82: Sky Ocean Cruise (1)
Incheon International Airport.
A place where as many as 200,000 people passed through each day—Johan and his group arrived there.
“Hehe. Ahem! If you knew just how much stronger I’ve beco, you’d probably be shocked.”
Scarlett de Juliard, who had changed her class to a Blood Sorcerer at the ‘Hungry Mansion,’ wore a confident smile.
It was a bit concerning seeing her so full of hot air again.
Still, it seed she had gone through quite a bit of hardship.
The quality of the mana flowing from her body was clearly different.
“I-I… why am I being dragged along?”
Park Yeri muttered with the face of a calf being led to the slaughterhouse.
“I thought we’d take so ti for the initial mbers to bond. You know, like comrades who’ve survived life-and-death battles together. That kind of vibe.”
In truth, Vivian Astraia had returned to her original Nest to recover from her injuries and train for a higher divine rank.
Reina Blades, instead of being handed over to Running Rabbit, had been assigned a certain task and was currently absent.
Ragnar Lodbrok and Lagertha had also left, saying they had matters to handle in their holand.
And as for that protagonist bastard, he had vanished sowhere in a state of self-absorption…
There really weren’t many options.
‘Scarlett, as a True Ancestor, is definitely useful.’
Park Yeri wasn’t a bad choice either.
‘Corpse Puppet’ could co in handy during the third episode.
“Look! I studied this! This is what they call ‘airport fashion,’ right?”
Scarlett, who had changed clothes in the restroom, showed off a glamorous dress, a luxury carrier, and designer sunglasses.
Wow.
It suited her incredibly well.
Her natural beauty was outstanding to begin with, so quite a few people mistook her for a celebrity and started taking pictures.
“Sigh. So where are we heading now?”
“First, we’re going to Portugal.”
The Hestia Empire, located about 100 km southwest of England.
It was a place that couldn’t be entered through normal routes, so a special thod was required.
For example, stowing away—or using illegal spatial movent.
“By the way, I don’t have money for plane tickets. I poured everything I had into securing that apartnt.”
“Do not worry. We will cover that with funds from our family. We have already booked first class so that Johan-nim may travel in comfort.”
“Unni!”
“Unni? Didn’t you say you were 27 last ti?”
“What does that matter? If you have money, you’re all unni.”
Squealing, Park Yeri hugged Scarlett and even pulled her carrier for her.
As expected, money really was the best.
Still, it was good to see the two getting along.
The problem was…
“Hooe…”
“Senior Staff Sergeant, look! There’s a huge shrimp over there.”
“Everyone, stay alert! We are currently carrying out an extrely dangerous top-secret military mission!”
These immature otter trio gawking around the modern airport.
“I’m sorry. You seem to be a summoner-type Awakened… but could you please store them in subspace while moving?”
The staff’s sharp stares and restrictions followed.
Especially in public facilities, there were risks such as terrorism.
“As you can see, they live without brains… is there any way around it?”
“Unless you are a Hunter with special authorization… it would be difficult.”
“You heard that, right? Stay quietly in subspace.”
If he said only that, there was a 98% chance they’d pretend not to hear.
So—
“If you listen carefully to what I say from now on, I’ll promote you all after we’re done.”
He had no choice but to offer them a carrot they’d like.
“T-To non-commissioned officers…?”
“Will Senior Staff Sergeant get seagull insignia?”
“It will be an eternal honor for the otter corps!”
For soldiers, the greatest rewards were promotions and dals.
The otters hurriedly entered subspace.
Good. That solved one headache.
Now, in about 30 minutes, they would be boarding the plane.
But right then—
“Johan-nim.”
Scarlett carefully called out to Johan.
“Yeah. What is it?”
“We’re being tailed. About five of them. All are Awakened.”
Not Hunters.
If they were, the mana accumulated within them wouldn’t be that clean.
It was internal energy refined through a unique cultivation thod.
‘Murim.’
Troubleso bastards had latched onto them.
＊＊＊
At present, due to the Second Impact, there were five civilizations from other dinsions that had crossed over.
Except for one, the remaining four maintained inseparable ties with the world.
For example, the Hestia Empire in Europe, where they were currently headed.
The Dark Continent, which had swallowed Russia and beco isolated.
tal City near South Arica, a land of magitech and cyberpunk.
And lastly—
Murim of China.
All of them were massive powers possessing overwhelming strength…
Up until the mid-point of the episodes, the structure and influence of these factions were the biggest variables.
‘Not from the Orthodox faction…’
A dark, thick scent of blood brushed against his nose.
It was so faint that no one but a vampire could detect it.
But his innate sense of sll distinguished it.
‘Unorthodox faction… or the Demonic Cult?’
There wasn’t enough information to pinpoint exactly.
Johan calmly restrained his senses.
No matter when.
No matter how they approached.
So that he could respond.
However—
Even during the flight, they made no move.
They simply followed at a fixed distance, suppressing their presence.
Even after arriving at Lisbon Airport.
Even while staying at the hotel.
They remained quiet.
“That’s strange. I thought they’d make a move.”
“Yeah. I can’t figure out what they’re planning.”
The next day, as Scarlett and Johan boarded the cruise, they exchanged a few words.
The number had increased compared to before.
At this point, it was practically advertising that they were being followed.
“Soone followed us? Are they enemies?”
Park Yeri imdiately perked up her ears at the conversation.
Then she licked her lips.
“Can I kill them? I’ve been a bit short on hearts lately.”
Right. She wasn’t sane either.
It already felt like a distant past when she had ripped out the hearts of their first companions in the garden.
“Don’t. They’re much stronger than you.”
“Hah! You’re underestimating . I’ve been through everything—land, sea, and air battles.”
“They’re assassins belonging to Murim. Every one of them is at least late First Moon rank.”
“Let’s see. The fastest flight back to Korea is…”
That quick shift in attitude.
“Don’t worry too much. There are plenty of Hunters on this ship. Even Murim won’t act recklessly.”
The Sky Ocean.
A super-large cruise capable of carrying up to 25,000 people, often called an island on the sea.
They could have stowed away on a cargo ship or a small fishing vessel for a quieter and easier entry into the Empire…
But there was a reason he chose this ship.
Because an Administrator who would soon appear hosted quite an interesting event.
The rewards from it were too valuable to give up.
Sure, there was a chance of being ambushed while sleeping.
Or getting caught while sneaking in.
But that level of risk had to be accepted.
Tsk. Thinking about it, it felt like he was always walking a tightrope.
No matter how many tis he went through this Forbidden Book, the difficulty always made it suffocating.
‘I should capture one of them and interrogate them when the chance cos.’
He needed to know why Murim had moved so quickly, when they were supposed to et only after arriving at the Empire.
In the third episode, choosing allies would be an important factor.
Wooooong!
Before long, the ship left Lisbon Port and headed toward England.
About an hour passed.
Ding!
[A notice for the third episode has arrived.]
The awaited mont had co.
“Ahem! Ahem! Ahh, can everyone hear ? Hoho.”
A strange voice suddenly echoed through the air.
Still unfamiliar and alien beings—
The Administrators of the episode.
“W-What is this?”
“No way… this ship wasn’t chosen, right?”
“No… this has to be a dream. Let out! Get out of here right now!”
The expressions of those who had been laughing and chatting darkened instantly.
Watching a story from the outside—
And becoming a character within it—
Were completely different things.
Especially if it was a horrifying slasher story drenched in blood and screams.
“Ahaha. This isn’t the main ga, just a preview event, so don’t be too nervous. Or rather… it might even be a great opportunity for all of you?”
An Administrator, with the appearance of a fluffy sheep mixed with a human woman, bounced in midair.
‘We need a bit of luck here…’
Johan narrowed his eyes.
There were five possible event episodes on this ship.
Which one appeared changed every cycle.
The ones he hoped for.
And the ones he absolutely wanted to avoid.
What would it be this ti?
[‘Event Episode’ has been unlocked.]
The status window flickered.
＊＊＊
At the sa ti.
In an antique mansion located in southern Italy, several shadows had gathered.
They were high-ranking officials of the global conglorate, Redmoon Corporation.
“…….”
“…….”
In the heavy, sunken atmosphere, everyone simply drank the wine in front of them.
Unpleasant mana swirled.
Recently, during the second episode, not only had an entire blood factory been destroyed, but they had also lost one of their mid-level executives—a Count—Kalard von Estonpia.
It wasn’t just a loss.
It was a blow to their pride.
The problem was—
Who dared to do sothing so reckless?
“Report.”
A young girl with flowing silver hair and red eyes spoke.
Gracia le Eppenhaus.
A Marquis who held the highest authority in this eting.
“The facility itself collapsed, so there’s almost no trace left.”
“We detected remnants of powerful mana, but even with [mory Reconstruction] and [Restoration], we couldn’t find any aningful clues.”
Many things were said, but the conclusion was the sa.
Nothing.
Gracia’s smooth forehead creased.
Crack!
A grotesque fracture spread across the wine glass.
“So. We suffered such humiliation, yet we cannot even identify who did it. Is that what you’re saying?”
Kugugugugu!
A terrifying killing intent surged.
The chandelier rattled as if it might fall, and the flas flickered wildly.
It felt like his heart was being thinly sliced by a blade.
“S-Sorry.”
“We will… investigate again imdiately.”
For the sake of both the company and the clan’s pride—
This matter had to be resolved.
But at that mont—
Step.
Footsteps echoed from the end of the corridor.
“…!?”
“Who goes there!”
The nobles rose from their seats.
Then—
“The one who trampled upon the sanctuary of you noble beings. I know who it is.”
A woman wearing a snapback erged from the darkness.
It was Reina Blades.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Her heart pounded as if it were broken.
‘I’ve lost my mind.’
Just facing them—
Just standing here—
Her legs felt like they would give out.
‘I should’ve known when that bastard told to enjoy a luxury stay at a private hotel in Europe.’
But regret ca too late.
She had entered the devil’s den.
Now, she had to act if she wanted to live.
“Speak. Who is it? Who is that man?”
Gracia asked, staring at Reina.
Reina swallowed dryly and pulled out a fragnt of a staff from her possession.
“The Grand Witches’ Assembly. Those filthy won holed up in a forest hut are the culprits.”
Thud.
It was Arabella Rosewood’s staff that Johan had handed over.
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