Chapter 211 - Episode 28. Rupture (5)
Chapter 211: Episode 28. Rupture (5)
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After joining Cheongheo’s group, Jaehwan was briefed on the situation in the 《Abyss》. The 「Rupture」 had formed an alliance with the Great Lords, and Maiad had begun a war to conquer the Abyss.
“I see.”
It was shocking news, but Jaehwan merely nodded calmly.
The 「Rupture」, an organization of Awakened Ones, joining hands with the Great Lords was certainly startling. Still, if it was Maiad, Jaehwan thought such a thing was entirely possible.
“Kid, you know this already, but rushing into the Eighth Site right now would be reckless.”
Cheongheo immediately tried to stop him, worried Jaehwan would head straight for Maiad.
Jaehwan looked at Cheongheo for a moment before asking, “What happened to the people at the auction house?”
“They…”
Cheongheo told him about the people who had scattered after the 〈Hachenold Catastrophe〉. According to him, most of Jaehwan’s acquaintances from the 〈Metaverse〉 who had rushed to save him that day were still alive. Some had been captured by the 「Rupture」, while others were still on the run, but the important thing was that they were alive.
“The ‘King of Crows’ is missing. He was probably captured by the 「Rupture」 or went into hiding for a while. Martis and the Goddess of Fate are leading the ‘Gods of Tomorrow’ in guerrilla resistance against the 「Rupture」. And…”
He added that gods friendly to Jaehwan, including Shiyu, Thanatos, and the God of the Deep Sea Russell, were also being pursued by the 「Rupture」.
Then Jaehwan asked what he had been wondering all along.
“What about Andersen?”
Runald abruptly raised his head. Cheongheo fell silent for a moment.
The crew of Destruction had also heard about Andersen through 《Little Brother》.
“They have not found the remains of ‘Naked Andersen.’ The same goes for her Vicegerent.”
At the final moment, Andersen had descended upon her Vicegerent, Rachel Young, to protect Jaehwan.
For a long time, Jaehwan stared down at his empty fist.
As if trying to comfort him, Cheongheo said, “The others will likely be near the Seventh Site. It is one of the few places in the 《Abyss》 where they can hide. Many residents from the Eighth Site have relocated there as well.”
Sirwen clapped her hands at Cheongheo’s words.
“We happen to be near the Seventh Site now. Want to stop by?”
Jaehwan looked down at the Seventh Site spread out beneath the airship.
Compared to the other Sites, it had the distinct atmosphere of an old, abandoned city.
As he gazed at the view below, he recalled the names of those who had helped him, one by one. Without them, Jaehwan would not be here now.
“I’ll take a quick look around.”
Karlton and Runald rose from their seats as though competing.
“I will escort you, Fortress Lord.”
“Jaehwan-nim, me too.”
“I’ll park the airship nearby and follow you.”
Jaehwan shook his head.
“I’ll go alone. The rest of you can join me after assessing the situation.”
“You’re going off alone again to cause some kind of trouble…”
Jaehwan silently looked at Cheongheo.
With a soft sigh, Cheongheo sat back down.
“Fine, kid. But only for a little while.”
Jaehwan gave a brief nod and left the airship.
* * *
The Martial World Inn had recently opened its second branch on the Seventh Site. It was not because business had gone well enough to expand.
It was because both the main branch and the first branch had gone under.
“This makes two businesses that have already failed.”
Manri Shintong suddenly grumbled as he folded dumplings in the kitchen.
Baeko, who was making dumplings beside him, yawned and muttered, “At least it would have been unfair if we had failed because the food tasted bad.”
“Exactly.”
The Tower where they had opened their main branch had fallen, and they had fled the Eighth Site, where they had opened their first branch. Looking back, both the fall of the 〈Metaverse〉 and their escape from the Eighth Site had been Manri Shintong’s decisions. He had no one to complain to.
Still, he made dumplings yesterday and today.
Waiting for the day the man who had once liked these dumplings returned.
After focusing on the dumplings for a long time, Manri Shintong suddenly stopped moving. A large, glistening dumpling rested atop his aged hand.
Baeko asked, “Is that the ‘Today’s Dumpling’?”
“Yes.”
Today’s Dumpling. It was the finest dumpling Manri Shintong made once every day. He never sold it, instead keeping it on the highest tier of the steamer.
Baeko knew who Manri Shintong made that dumpling for.
“Master.”
“Baeko.”
“Yes?”
“Why haven’t you improved at all?”
“How would I know that?”
Grumbling, Baeko put down the dumpling wrapper and headed for the entrance.
A customer had arrived.
“Welcome.”
Two customers lifted the inn’s curtain and entered side by side.
One was a gaunt man missing an arm. The other wore an eyepatch over one eye. It was an unusual pair.
“One dumpling. One bowl of noodles.”
“The same for me.”
Baeko looked between the two men.
The residents of 〈Epoche〉 on the Seventh Site were all a little unhinged by nature. These two had physical disabilities, but they did not look unhinged.
‘Outsiders?’
Baeko gathered World Force into his dantian and asked, “Are you together?”
“No.”
The one-armed man answered first. The two men lightly glared at each other, then took seats in opposite corners of the inn.
Baeko asked again, “The noodles come with chicken broth. Is that all right?”
“I know. Bring it as usual.”
He knew? Had this person been here before?
Without lowering his guard, Baeko bowed and headed into the kitchen.
He had no choice. Both men were incredibly powerful.
“Master. I think we have a problem.”
“Are they 「Rupture」 bastards?”
“I don’t know. Their faces are covered. But they seem to know our chicken broth, so I think they have eaten here before.”
“They know our chicken broth?”
“Don’t get your hopes up. It definitely isn’t him.”
Manri Shintong’s eyebrows drooped at Baeko’s words.
Looking fed up, he casually prepared the chicken broth and placed large dumplings on two plates.
“Take these out.”
“Yes, sir.”
Using a swift movement technique, Baeko placed the food on the customers’ tables.
The two men picked up dumplings at the same time and raised them to their mouths as though competing. Then they muttered at the same time.
“Delicious.”
“Not bad.”
As Baeko wondered which one he should agree with, the two men muttered again.
“The taste hasn’t changed.”
“The trip was worth it.”
Their gazes collided in midair. Ominous World Pressure stirred.
Baeko wondered if they were really about to start a fight over something so stupid. Just as he hurriedly moved to stop them, someone appeared at the inn’s entrance.
“Welco…”
Baeko could not finish speaking. The cold World Force pouring from the intruder froze his entire body.
[Is this Manri Shintong’s shop?]
The moment Baeko heard that voice, the hairs on his back stood up. He spotted the massive ring-pommel saber slung across the intruder’s back.
There was only one god who used a weapon that large.
One of the Seven Stars, Thousand-Weight God Ayato.
Baeko barely calmed his boiling blood and answered, “That’s right.”
[Bring Manri Shintong out.]
“Why are you looking for my master?”
The next moment, Baeko felt his shoulder sink completely. Before he could even scream, his body was forced down toward the floor.
It felt as if the entire surrounding zone was mercilessly crushing him.
Baeko’s face turned pale. He was strong enough not to lose to most high-grade gods, yet he had been subdued this easily.
Silver blood spilled from Baeko’s mouth. Just as he barely managed to move his lips, a voice spoke.
“Please let the child go.”
Manri Shintong came outside.
With a casual gesture from Thousand-Weight God Ayato, the pressure released Baeko. He collapsed to the floor, gasping.
Thousand-Weight God Ayato glared at Manri Shintong.
[You are Manri Shintong.]
“That is correct.”
[Tell me where the 「Void Sword」 is.]
“I do not know.”
[Your Manri Eye should be able to find it.]
“Even the Manri Eye cannot see everything.”
[I will count to three. If you do not find a way by then, both you and this inn will vanish from the 《Abyss》.]
Immense World Pressure began bearing down on the entire inn once more.
Manri Shintong looked up at the unsteadily shaking roof. It felt as though a massive weight was testing itself atop the inn.
“That’s far enough.”
The one-armed man, who had finished every dish on his table, stood up.
At the same time, Thousand-Weight God Ayato’s World Pressure scattered.
This was someone powerful enough to nullify the World Pressure of a Seven Star.
Manri Shintong turned around as though he already knew who it was.
“Manri Shintong. That was good. Since you fed me, I should pay the price.”
The one-armed man removed the hood covering his head.
He was the God of the Deep Sea Russell, who had helped Jaehwan during the 〈Hachenold Catastrophe〉.
Thousand-Weight God Ayato’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Russell? What are you doing here?”
“Thousand-Weight God. Leave before I count to three. Then I will spare you.”
The World Force of Thousand-Weight God Ayato and Russell churned and collided at the center of the inn.
Both Thousand-Weight God Ayato and the God of the Deep Sea Russell were members of the Seven Stars. Yet Russell had not fully recovered from the injuries he sustained during the recent massacre.
Thousand-Weight God Ayato sneered at him.
“A one-armed bastard who has not even recovered…”
In response, Russell’s World Pressure grew more violent.
Thousand-Weight God Ayato’s face darkened. No matter how favorable the fight was for him, Russell was prepared to die with his opponent. Even if Thousand-Weight God Ayato won, he would not emerge unharmed.
The balance of World Force shifted when more gods entered through the inn’s entrance.
“Looks like you could not manage alone after all, Thousand-Weight God.”
“Bang. How pathetic! Bang.”
Two more Seven Stars had entered the inn.
God of Enhancement Grade.
Cannon God Cannoneer.
Russell narrowed his eyes.
He had heard about them as well.
Gods who had risen to become Seven Stars after the God of Javelins Turis and the God of Sleet Pao died during the 〈Hachenold Catastrophe〉.
Cannoneer opened their mouth.
“Bang. Russell, leave before I count to three or I’ll fire. Bang.”
“The Seven Stars have fallen to the gutter. Even a useless bastard like you can become a Seven Star now?”
Russell’s taunt made the short Cannoneer open their Sanctuary. Cannon barrels began appearing one by one behind them.
It was the Innate Setting of Cannon God Cannoneer, 「Divine Artillery」, said to be capable of wiping out a medium-sized Site alone.
God of Enhancement Grade was also pouring World Force into the longsword drawn from their waist.
「+183 Beginner’s Sword」.
It was a Part with the utterly absurd concept of enhancing a beginner weapon to its absolute limit, giving it monstrous destructive power despite its light weight.
Thousand-Weight God Ayato spoke.
“We strike together.”
Russell clenched his fist.
Even though he was known as one of the most tenacious among the Seven Stars, fighting three Seven Stars alone was impossible. His injuries had yet to heal as well. Under ordinary circumstances, he would have retreated here.
But Russell was different today.
“If you keep sitting there, the dumpling shop you like will disappear.”
“…”
“Losing the 〈Metaverse〉 was not enough for you, Leader?”
At those words, the man quietly chewing dumplings in one corner of the inn muttered, “It has been a long time since anyone called me that.”
“Long time, my ass. It has only been three months.”
Only then did the Seven Stars notice the man’s presence, and their eyes widened.
Leader Eoduksi.
The owner of the 〈Metaverse〉 and the man who had once been the first Star of the Seven Stars.
Rumor said his power approached the Eight Heavens. When he slowly rose to his feet, the mood inside the inn changed once again.
Cannoneer stared in shock.
“Bang. What… no way? Bang.”
“Was the Leader here too?”
The moment the Leader stood up, the World Pressure of Cannon God Cannoneer and God of Enhancement Grade vanished.
Russell grinned. The Leader could easily take on two Seven Stars alone.
“This should be worth trying.”
Yet despite the Leader’s appearance, the Seven Stars did not retreat.
The Leader’s eyes darkened as he watched them. The fact that they did not back down even now meant they had something to rely on.
Then, as if they had been waiting for this moment, the final customer appeared at the inn’s entrance.
Footnotes:
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