After Ten Millennia in Hell

Oh Kang-Woo, Kim Si-Hun, Han Seol-Ah, Echidna, Cha Yeon-Joo, Kang Tae-Soo, Baek Hwa-Yeon, Goo Hyun-Mo, Tian Suyan, and Tian Wuchen.

Kang-Woo thought he might as well go all the way with playing hero, and he called as many people as he could.

They landed in the country at the top of the continent, Venezuela.

Most of the South American countries had collapsed after the Day of Calamity, but Venezuela had been the exception. It wasn't because Venezuela was a strong country or had outstanding Players…

It was thanks to the USA.

The USA was using Venezuela as a base to eliminate the monsters in South America, since it was the closest to them; and they were also planning to recover the rest of the Earth.

'Of course, they aren't doing it out of good intentions.'

It was obvious, but the reason why the USA was working so hard to take back the countries that monsters had invaded wasn't because they were selfless.

On the outside, they said it was for world peace and the advancement of humanity, but everyone knew that, in reality, it was to publicize that they were the strongest country in the world.

'Well, whatever their reason is, it's true that they're helping out.'

It was a fact that the world restoration project would not have even taken off if it hadn't been for the USA.

It had become a good influence for East Asian countries, such as China and Korea, to begin restoring the Middle East.

"We only have ten people. Isn't it a bit too little to divide into three groups?" Yeon-Joo asked.

Kang-Woo shook his head.

"The main force is the US military, and the indigenous people are too widely scattered, so moving together would be too inefficient."

Most of the indigenous people remaining in South American countries lived like nomads; they built villages to live in, abandoned them when monsters attacked, and then built new villages after relocating.

Hence, none of them stayed in one place as a large group, so rescuing them wasn't easy.

"Then how are you going to divide the groups?" Wuchen asked.

"Judging from the situation, we should divide into groups focused on hunting monsters and groups focused on guiding the refugees to the US military," answered Suyan, who was reading through the documents.

Wuchen and Suyan had been collaborating with Korea and Japan to recover the Middle East, but they were participating in this operation at Kang-Woo's request since it would act as a good reference for the Middle East restoration project.

Kang-Woo nodded. "Then, with Mr. Tian Wuchen as the focus, Suyan, Mr. Goo Hyun-Mo, Hwa-Yeon, and Yeon-Joo will be in the monster subjugation group. Si-Hun, you take Seol-Ah and Tae-Soo to rescue the indigenous people and guide them to the US troops."

"What about you, hyung-nim?"

"Echidna and I will be going around with the monster subjugation group to eliminate monsters, but we'll also focus on finding traces of the Demon Cult."

"Oh."

"Do you think this incident has something to do with the Demon Cult?" Seol-Ah asked.

Kang-Woo shrugged.

"I'm not sure, but since there have been multiple simultaneous monster attacks, it's worth investigating."

"W-Wouldn't it be dangerous?"

Seol-Ah grabbed his arm while making a worried expression.

Kang-Woo was about to beam with joy, but he coughed to stop himself.

"Ahem. Well, I'm sure nothing dangerous will happen, so don't worry."

Judging from the number of people in the group, Kang-Woo and Echidna might look like they were the ones most exposed to danger, but that wasn't necessarily the case.

It had been quite some time since Kang-Woo's strength had reached a point that couldn't be compared to the strength of other humans on Earth.

The only way he'd be in trouble was if a prince of Hell appeared on Earth.

"I'd say Mr. Tian Wuchen's group would be exposed to the most danger. Make sure to contact me if anything happens. Oh, right. Everyone has the necklaces Echidna gave you, right? They have interpretation and tracking magic cast on them, so make sure you don't lose them."

"We'll be just fine without you worrying about us," Yeon-Joo snorted and turned around.

Hwa-Yeon smiled bitterly and whispered, "I hope you understand she's just acting like that because she wasn't put in the same group as y—"

"Hwa-Yeon!!"

"Oops. Hahaha. Then we'll get going."

Wuchen's group was the first to take off.

Kang-Woo approached Seol-Ah and said, "They were attacked by monsters, so there are probably many injured."

"I think so too."

"Don't try to heal every single injured person. Focus only on those in critical condition and lead them to where the US troops are. Take a break when you use half your mana and then focus on replenishing it."

"Fufu. You're telling me to save up mana just in case, right? You don't need to tell me such things anymore."

Seol-Ah nodded while smiling brightly.

Kang-Woo said, "Si-Hun and Tae-Soo, if there's conflict among the people or a monster attack, stop them as soon as possible. I'm counting on you guys to keep Seol-Ah safe."

"Hehe! You can trust me, hyung-nim! I'll make sure no one lays a hand on my sister-in-law!"

"We'll save as many people as quickly as possible."

"Okay," Kang-Woo said. He turned around and rose to the sky with Echidna.

Si-Hun looked at Kang-Woo's back.

"Let's go."

"Okay, Si-Hun."

"It's been a while since we've all teamed up like this, Si-Hun!"

"Haha, I guess you're right. Although, Eun-Bi isn't here."

"Tsk. We can't bring a kid who isn't even twenty years old to such a dangerous place."

"That's true."

Si-Hun softly laughed while looking at his party members. He hadn't seen them for a while.

* * *

"Thank you! Thank you very much!"

"Mommy!"

A child who looked about five years old hugged his mother. He was still limping since he hadn't been fully healed yet, but it was still much better than before, considering he'd been on the verge of death.

Seol-Ah waved at the child while smiling brightly.

The child's mother bowed several times.

It was at that moment…

Waaaahhhh!

Seol-Ah heard the cheers outside the barracks. Tae-Soo, who was guarding Seol-Ah, laughed out loud.

"Si-Hun seems to have arrived!"

"Yes, that seems to be the case.

When they went outside, they saw Si-Hun and the men of the village.

The men all shouted.

"Everyone! The US troops will be arriving today!"

"This gentleman defeated all the monsters in the area!"

Everyone looked at Si-Hun.

Si-Hun scratched his head, smiling awkwardly.

The leader of the village approached him and grabbed his hand. Tears could be seen in his wrinkled eyes.

"Thank you. Thank you… so very much. If it weren't for you, we would've all died."

"N-Not at all."

Si-Hun didn't know what to say in response to the man's sudden words.

"You are our hero."

After seeing his bright smile, a weird sensation spread through Si-Hun's body.

"I'm sorry for…"

He could hear a voice filled with sorrow.

Si-Hun shook his head.

"N-No. I'm…"

'… Not a hero.'

He suppressed those last words and smiled awkwardly. It was hard for him to express his emotions.

Si-Hun turned around and walked toward Seol-Ah and Tae-Soo.

"Hehe, if it isn't our hero Si-Hun?"

"Ngh. I told you not to call me that."

"Hoho. You've saved hundreds of lives these past few days. Who else could we call a hero?"

"… I didn't do it by myself," Si-Hun said while looking at them with a bitter smile.

Seol-Ah and Tae-Soo had also been busying about for the indigenous people who had been attacked by monsters.

"Were you able to make contact with Kang-Woo hyung-nim and Mas—"

BOOOOM!

"KYAAHH!!"

A deafening sound cut Si-Hun's words short and rang through the area.

A huge impact shook the barracks, and the building crumbled.

"S-Si-Hun!"

"What's going on?!"

Seol-Ah and Tae-Soo stood up, but before they could even stand up completely, Si-Hun had already run in the direction of the explosion.

"What the…"

Si-Hun's eyes widened.

In the village outskirts, there were holes in the ground as if someone had poked through a piece of paper.

The villagers screamed from all over the village.

"S-Si-Hun!! Save u—Kurgh!"

"Ah."

A round hole appeared in the stomach of the village leader, who had just called him a hero. The hole had been cut out so cleanly that it was as if someone had used a precise machine.

Blood poured out; the village leader collapsed.

Si-Hun wasn't looking at the village leader who had collapsed—he was looking at the village entrance.

"Demons…"

He saw two horns, black wings, black skin, and yellow eyes that resembled a reptile's.

Three demons so identical that they looked like clones were standing at the village entrance.

[Is it that human?]

[It seems so. I can feel the energy of a god.]

[A retainer of Gaia.]

The three demons talked to each other.

Si-Hun's body trembled.

'They're strong.'

He could tell just by looking at them. He felt a chill run through his body.

[Let's take him alive and ask him where Gaia's incarnation is.]

[Will you do it, Halphas?]

[Yes. I want to know how strong a retainer of Gaia is.]

The demon in the middle took a step forward.

"Si-Hun!"

"Si-Hun!"

Seol-Ah and Tae-Soo arrived.

"They're…"

"Demons," Si-Hun said, biting his lip anxiously. His head became blank; he wasn't sure what to do.

[Right, let's begin.]

The demon didn't give him time to think. Halphas extended his hand, and a sphere of black demonic energy flew toward Si-Hun.

"Si-Hun!"

Slam!!

"Kurgh!!"

Tae-Soo blocked the sphere with his shield. It was just one attack, but after being hit with the black sphere, Tae-Soo was flung back as if he were a piece of paper.

"Tae-Soo!" Seol-Ah quickly shouted his name and used healing magic on him.

White light covered Tae-Soo.

[Huh?]

Halphas's eyes shone. With great interest, he looked at the light covering Tae-Soo.

[That's…]

"Haap!!"

Si-Hun stomped on the ground and leaped forward.

Blue sword energy extended from the El Cuero Blade.

[Hmm.]

Halphas twisted his body and waved his hand. He created several black spheres in an instant and launched them toward Si-Hun.

"Shit!"

Boom, boom, boom!!

Si-Hun quickly rolled on the ground. The black spheres hit the place where he'd been standing, and exploded.

Si-Hun dodged Halphas's attack and swung his sword.

The battle continued.

BOOOOM!

"Kurgh!"

Si-Hun was being overwhelmed. He couldn't land even a single blow and had to keep dodging Halphas's attacks.

Malphas and Phenex clicked their tongues in disappointment, their conversation reaching Si-Hun's ears.

[Is this the extent of a retainer of Gaia?]

[How disappointing.]

'Dammit.'

Si-Hun frowned and clenched his fists harder.

During that short time, attacks poured down on him once again. A black sphere brushed past his leg. His clothes ripped, and the wound widened.

"Si-Hun!"

Seol-Ah urgently used healing magic and buffs on him.

The wound closed, and he recovered his vitality, but he knew better than anyone that he was still no match against the demons.

"… Run away with Tae-Soo."

"What?"

"Take the villagers and get out of here now!"

"B-But…"

"Hurry!"

Si-Hun didn't hesitate. Nothing would change even if he fought alongside his two party members. He wasn't even sure if he'd be able to beat the demon named Halphas, so winning against three demons simultaneously was impossible.

Si-Hun took out a piece of paper from his pocket.

"This is the place where the US troops said they'd be. Get there as fast as you can. I will buy you as much time as possible."

Seol-Ah looked at Si-Hun with hesitation.

Si-Hun shouted aggressively, "Hurry! Even if the three of us fight together, it'd just be two more dead bodies!"

Closing her eyes, Seol-Ah took the paper. Tae-Soo was about to say something, but she pulled his hand and said, "I will call Kang-Woo right away."

Seol-Ah dragged Tae-Soo by force and started to run away.

Si-Hun watched them get further away and sighed in relief.

[I will go.]

Malphas turned toward the escaping Seol-Ah and Tae-Soo.

"Where do you think you're going?!" Si-Hun stomped on the ground.

Azure Dragon Foot Technique.

Slithering snake marks were left on the ground as Si-Hun shot forward. Qi burst forth from his dantian, traveled down his arms, and enveloped the El Cuero Blade. The condensed sword energy surged and targeted Malphas’s head.

[Ngh.]

It seemed as if Malphas wouldn't be able to take the condensed sword energy head on. The demon moved back while frowning.

The El Cuero Blade brushed past his shoulder and chest, a wound appeared on his body, and black blood poured out.

Malphas extended his hand, instantly creating a black sphere and launching it toward Si-Hun.

Slaaaam!!

"Kurgh!"

Si-Hun rolled on the ground along with an explosion.

"Cough!"

He vomited blood. He had only been hit by one of the black spheres, but a mind-numbing shock and intense pain were spreading through his body.

He clenched his teeth, used the sword as a cane, and stood up.

[Oh? I guess he isn't a retainer of Gaia for nothing.]

[Back off, Malphas.]

[What about the ones that escaped?]

[They aren't important. The only one that matters is the retainer of Gaia.]

Halphas stepped forward once again.

Si-Hun looked at the three demons in silence.

'I can't win.'

He couldn't even properly face one of them. If they attacked him simultaneously, his chance of winning was close to zero.

"Haaa. Haaa."

His body trembled in fear; his two legs shook. The only thing on his mind was his desire to follow after Seol-Ah and Tae-Soo in escaping.

[He's shaking.]

Halphas laughed at him mockingly. He could see Si-Hun's legs trembling in fear.

Si-Hun took a step backward.

Tap. Something hit his foot. He looked down.

It was the corpse of the village leader who had called him a hero.

'Yet again…'

He wasn't able to save someone.

"I'm sorry for giving birth to you."

He heard that voice once again—it was something he was used to. He had never been able to get away from that voice.

"A hero? Bullshit."

He gripped the sword tighter. He added more strength to his trembling legs.

He raised his head and glared at Halphas.

'I…'

He wasn't thinking of becoming a hero, nor did he want to become one.

'I…'

This excruciating voice had been engraved into his brain.

'I…'

He wanted to be freed from the voice. If someone were to say the same thing to him in the future, he wanted to be able to proudly raise his head and tell them that they were wrong.

'I…'

It was childish and stupid.

A child who admired a hero he saw through the TV screen was probably better than him.

He was just a pathetic loser suffering from trauma. He was an idiot who couldn't act his age. He was a moron unable to walk away from his unfortunate past.

'I…'

He knew that.

It wasn't that he didn't know.

He knew how stupid his thoughts were.

But…

Despite that…

[Oh?]

He raised his sword and took a step forward with trembling legs.

'I won't run.'

Si-Hun stomped on the ground.