Chapter 27: Kang Yong-cheol
The area in front of the portal was packed with people.
One day on Earth equals five days on Nova.
Only when the time axes align can the portal be used, and those who have spent a full five days in Nova are given priority to pass through.
Cheol-du and Jin-tae arrived through the portal last, so they still had to wait nine more hours to return to Earth.
“Ugh, this is tedious.”
“You should count yourself lucky. Since the apocalypse trial’s time axis matches Nova’s, it’s only nine hours. If it were a five-to-one ratio, we’d be stuck here for two more days.”
“Jin-tae, in that case, there would’ve already been a two-day gap from the moment we entered.”
“You’re annoyingly sharp.”
The civilians affiliated with major corporations had been the first to cross over to Nova, so they were also the first to return. Most members of the Yonggu faction, led by Seo Jong-du, had crossed early as well.
“Captain, I’ll head back to Earth first.”
“Yeah, go ahead.”
“I’ll wrap things up there and make arrangements to serve you again.”
“Good. We’ll need a few days to prepare too. Contact me when you’re heading to New Seoul.”
“Understood. I’ll be ready whenever.”
After seeing off Seo Jong-du’s group, Cheol-du and Jin-tae sat idly, watching the scene.
“Not all the soldiers are leaving.”
“They’re working in shifts. One group stays here while the other returns to Earth and heads to New Seoul.”
The developmental gap between New Seoul and their current location was staggering. Half of those who’d transitioned to Novice would receive training in New Seoul, while the rest would remain to provide labor. Still, this didn’t mean the future was bleak for those staying behind. Now that any Novice could access the Cheongju Portal Zone, skilled individuals from New Seoul would soon arrive with supplies.
Time crawled by until no one else remained waiting at the portal—only Cheol-du and Jin-tae.
“Ten minutes left?”
“Yep.”
“Finally, it’s over.”
Cheol-du’s tense expression finally eased. The sun dipped toward the western horizon. Having arrived here at this same hour previously, they’d waited half a day longer than others.
“We should’ve gone hunting instead.”
“Tell me about it. I nearly died of boredom.”
Even a barbarian’s patience had its limits.
“Let’s pack up.”
“Right. Better take everything just in case.”
Cheol-du and Jin-tae had inventories. They’d stuffed a large cloth bundle with miscellaneous items. Through experimentation, they’d learned their inventories could only store what they could physically carry. A boulder the size of a house was impossible unless one could lift it—which explained why Cheol-du effortlessly stored the bulky bundle. For Jin-tae, its weight would’ve made storage unthinkable.
“Why are you even lugging around rocks?”
“Heh. No harm in having them.”
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“Whatever. No harm, I guess.”
Though unnecessary for their next destination, New Seoul, Cheol-du meticulously collected every item used in building their fortifications.
“Let’s go.”
“Huh? Looks like people are coming over there.”
The connection between the Cheongju Portal Zone and Earth seemed complete. Now, any Novice could enter—but these newcomers’ gear was far from beginner-level.
“Look at their equipment.”
“Impressive.”
Those emerging from the portal wore diverse outfits instead of starter gear. Many sported leather armor, while a few clad vital areas in steel plates and carried weapons like swords or spears.
“Seoul’s progressed, it seems.”
“Yeah. We should get proper armor once we’re there.”
“Definitely.”
Cheol-du, with his Ogre Skin trait, didn’t need armor, but Jin-tae would fight far more effectively with it.
“Lots of archers.”
“True.”
Most newcomers were archers, though many dressed plainly.
“They don’t look like combatants.”
“Probably craftsmen.”
“Hmm.”
Jin-tae studied them but couldn’t discern their skills. Still, their immediate arrival after portal restrictions lifted suggested they were essential for settlement-building. With capable people streaming in, surrounding areas would soon be thoroughly scouted.
“Looks like the government wasted money buying intel they could’ve gotten in a day or two.”
“Still hung up on that?”
“Hung up?”
“Dunno. Doubt that info was worth two grand.”
“Heh. No reason to refuse free money.”
“It’s not exactly small change. But hey, scouting a day earlier—worth the cost, I guess.”
“You overthink everything.”
Cheol-du and Jin-tae walked slowly toward the portal, observing high-level players.
Papat.
Cheol-du grimaced at the familiar discomfort but endured calmly.
Papat!
Light seared their retinas. When their vision cleared, they stood in a dim tent.
“Welcome back.”
A sergeant approached and asked routine questions in a businesslike tone.
“Name, age, and phone number, please.”
“Kang Cheol-du, 19. My phone’s smashed.”
“Mr. Kang Cheol-du. May I have your resident registration number?”
As Cheol-du recited it, a soldier beside the sergeant typed into a laptop.
“Ah, here you are. Address: Hansan-i-dong Golden Villa Unit 204, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Confirmed. You’re free to go.”
“Hmm.”
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Cheol-du exited through the tent flap. The shimmering portal was hidden behind hastily erected construction pipes and tarps. The surrounding area mirrored the apocalyptic trial’s landscape, minus the protective barrier. Dozens of container houses lined a freshly cleared dirt road where trees had been felled.
“What the hell? Earth only had one day—how’d they manage this?”
“They did.”
“Wow.”
A soldier nearby called out to them.
“Need a ride? We’ll take you.”
“Huh? Do you know us?”
“Aren’t you Mr. Kang Cheol-du and Mr. Kim Jin-tae?”
“Yeah…”
“Jin-tae. No reason to refuse a free ride.”
Cheol-du climbed boldly into the military vehicle. Jin-tae followed, whispering urgently:
“They’re buttering you up to recruit you. Don’t get indebted!”
“Heh. Just take the favor. Doesn’t mean I’ll enlist.”
“Wow.”
My friend’s shamelesser than I thought.
Shrugging, Jin-tae settled into the seat. A driver and a lieutenant chauffeured them to Hansan-i-dong.
“Heard you two were amazing out there.”
“……”
“Strong silent type, eh?”
“……”
Cheol-du kept his eyes closed, feigning sleep.
“You must be exhausted. Rest well. We’ll wake you at your home.”
They want me as a second lieutenant?
The lieutenant’s rank made Cheol-du scoff.
This guy’s a hundred times weaker than me. Almost got stuck with a superior who’d crumple in a fight.
Meanwhile, Jin-tae stared wide-eyed out the window.
Are we being taken to army HQ? Locked up and interrogated?
Suspicious, he watched their route—but the car soon stopped at Cheol-du’s house.
“A compensation officer will visit soon.”
“Thanks for the ride.”
“Our pleasure. Rest well.”
The lieutenant saluted crisply. After a brief farewell, Cheol-du and Jin-tae parted ways.
“Get a new phone tomorrow.”
“Got it.”
Returning to Earth melted their tension like snow. Exhaustion flooded in, making them crave beds.
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“Let’s talk tomorrow.”
“Yeah. Stay safe.”
Cheol-du watched Jin-tae’s taxi leave before heading home. Though barely a week had passed on Earth, it felt like a month.
Is this how soldiers feel returning from war?
Did Dad feel like this?
His father had always been effusive after deployments. Cheol-du now understood that mix of relief and weariness.
“Grandpa! I’m back!”
“You’re here?”
“What, not happy to see me?”
“Bragging after a one-day outing? You’re grown now.”
Cheol-du deflated. To his grandfather, he’d only been gone a day.
“Wash up. Let’s eat.”
“You waited but won’t admit it.”
“Quit yapping and shower.”
“Heh.”
The hot shower soothed Cheol-du’s soul. Brushing his teeth after a week felt miraculous.
“Did you clog the drain?”
“Eat first.”
“Fine. Almost forgot your face.”
Kang Yong-cheol’s gruff tone belied his softness. The pair sat down to their first meal together in what felt like ages.
“Grandpa. I went to Nova.”
“Nova?”
Cheol-du recounted his adventures.
“You on drugs?”
“Heh. Don’t believe me? Watch.”
Cheol-du pulled an axe from his inventory, startling his grandfather.
“What in the—?!”
An axe materializing from thin air made Kang Yong-cheol’s eyes bulge. Unless age had addled his mind, his grandson spoke truth.
“How… how’s this possible?”
“Earth is doomed. Come to Nova with me.”
“Nonsense. I’ve got few years left anyway.”
“You won’t go?”
“I’ll die in my hometown.”
After a pause, Kang Yong-cheol added:
“Fetch soju from the fridge.”
“Sure.”
Cheol-du returned with two glasses.
“Acting all grown up.”
Despite his words, Kang Yong-cheol filled both glasses.
“What kind of reunion is this?”
He downed his drink, glanced at Cheol-du and the axe, then poured another.
“Well… better this way.”
His grandson—once a potential athlete—was now an otherworldly warrior.
Young folks these days… At least he’s found purpose.
“Since you’ve chosen your path, I’ll tidy up here and retire to the countryside.”
“Grandpa. You can farm in Nova.”
Land was plentiful there.
