69: Guardian Tree
Osaka, Japan was in complete chaos.
Despite the growing unease among Japanese citizens, the Japanese government was grinning from ear to ear.
They had found a way to send massive populations to Nova.
Japan had secured a trump card to take the lead in Nova's power struggle.
[The Japanese government has decided to accept dimensional immigrants to Nova starting today, limited to applicants...]
Just six days after green monsters appeared in Osaka, the Japanese government released Nova information to the public.
The information about Nova and dimensional travel, previously monopolized by the government and select corporations, was now available to civilians.
Major corporations had already established settlements large enough to form villages, creating a welcoming atmosphere for new immigrants.
[Additionally, immigration will be open to allied nations, starting with the U.S., followed by Hong Kong, Taiwan... and finally South Korea, with timing to be discussed sequentially...]
South Korea was mentioned last.
"Those damn bastards!"
President Kim Seung-tae couldn't contain his anger and slammed his desk.
His quick-witted chief of staff immediately turned off the conference room TV.
"When is our scheduled entry?"
"At the earliest, summer..."
"Summer is still half a year away! That's three whole years in Nova!"
Technically it was 2.5 years, but the chief of staff didn't correct him.
"And even that's not guaranteed. We still need to negotiate."
"Tch. They've gone mad trading those green monsters."
The president leaned back in his chair.
No country would freely share a resource like oil gushing from their land.
Yes, Japan was essentially trading goblins now.
"What about the U.S.?"
"We've confirmed their first contingent has already been dispatched to Japan."
"Numbers?"
"Estimated around 10,000."
The U.S. was about to receive 10,000 new Nova residents—and they were elite trained soldiers at that.
"Hah, who knows what they traded for that. Find out what deal the U.S. and Japan made."
"Yes, sir."
The apocalypse test begins with portal appearances. Those caught in the first wave are like lightning striking from clear skies.
The second wave mostly involves military personnel, but even those numbers are limited.
Too many cases ended in disaster when too many people were recklessly sent into the second test, causing conflicts over limited resources and food.
The maximum personnel for the second test should be 4,000-5,000 at most.
"Hah, I envy them."
It was impossible to imagine how broadly the Japanese government must be smiling now.
They'd found a way to mass-produce Nova residents without any risk.
"Try negotiating for the information too."
"They flat-out refused. Since the U.S. is using the Osaka portal to deploy troops, it seems they've denied information disclosure."
"Hmm."
If goblins started appearing around portals like Osaka's...
As long as it wasn't near a major city, it would be a goldmine.
"I wish it had happened in Gangneung or Yeosu."
"Even New Seoul, our fastest developing area, shows no signs yet. It's unlikely, isn't it?"
"Tch, right. New Seoul would be problematic even if it did activate."
Before Kim Seung-tae could finish speaking, the defense minister checking his phone suddenly stood up.
"Mr. President! It's happened."
"What happened?"
"Th-the Paju portal has activated. Goblins are appearing right now!"
"......"
Kim Seung-tae rubbed his furrowed brow.
'Are we cursed or something?'
How long had it been since he'd wished for Gangneung or Yeosu?
Of all places, it had to be Paju—close to the capital region.
"Convene an emergency meeting."
South Korea descended into chaos.
[The apocalypse approaches Earth.]
Within a 25-kilometer radius centered on the Paju portal—
Residents of Gimpo, Ilsan, and Uijeongbu suddenly began seeing illusions.
"Wh-what is that?"
"Mom! I see something weird!"
"Whoa, holy shit. Did I hit the jackpot?"
"Let's go! Time to film some hunter action!"
"Fire department? Yes, I'm seeing something strange."
"Please dispatch someone quickly! There's a green monster hiding in the warehouse!"
Though Japan had made major announcements that day, news-unaware citizens remained ignorant, and emergency alerts were sent amidst the confusion.
Beep
[Green monsters have appeared in Paju, Gimpo, Ilsan, and Uijeongbu. If spotted, call 112 immediately and evacuate the area.]
Beep
[Do not panic at military deployments in urban areas. Please follow instructions. This is not a drill.]
Squelch
"Kihihihi!"
Planetary marauders tore through the air, appearing with sacks in hand to begin looting.
Anything that looked interesting or eye-catching was indiscriminately stuffed into their sacks.
Whooosh!
Cheoldu didn't dodge the Cyclops's kick.
Boom!
He absorbed the impact to mitigate damage, but it still dealt significant damage.
Thud!
"Boss!"
"Hyung-nim!"
Two men rushed to Cheoldu who had been sent flying and rolling across the ground.
"I took that hit on purpose."
"Huh?"
Was he bluffing?
But Cheoldu's serious expression suggested otherwise.
"At this damage level, you can both join the fight. Just absolutely avoid its greatsword."
"Whoa, got it."
Had he been gauging its strength in that brief moment?
One barbarian and two humans launched their raid.
"Let's test its durability."
Now that they knew its attack power, it was time to check its defenses.
Cheoldu gripped his massive axe, watching for an opening.
While Choi Jun-seop and Oh Jun-hwan's attacks didn't reach above its knees, they steadily accumulated damage on its shins.
'Its hide is about ogre-level tough.'
His fingers twitched around the axe handle.
Several opportunities had passed, but he waited for the perfect moment. When the Cyclops's massive single eye focused on Choi Jun-seop or Oh Jun-hwan—
Now!
After letting several chances pass, Cheoldu leaped at the perfect moment.
His powerful legs, firmly planted, launched him high into the air.
The Cyclops's head, which had seemed so distant, suddenly loomed close.
Whooosh!
The massive axe, pulled back, swung in a beautiful arc as his torso twisted.
Crunch!
"Groooar!"
The great axe cleaved halfway through its neck before lodging in its spine.
Boom!
The giant roared in pain and swung a fist, but Cheoldu quickly deployed a barrier to block it.
Even as he felt his mana draining rapidly, Cheoldu clung to the Cyclops's smooth, horned head without falling.
Crunch!
Still hanging on, he kicked the axe handle embedded in its neck with all his might.
With an unpleasant sound, the wound split open, spraying blood like a fountain.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The Cyclops flailed its arms, dropping its greatsword, trying to grab Cheoldu, but its movements grew sluggish as consciousness faded.
"Hup!"
As the massive body tilted, Cheoldu leaped down, rolling into a landing. He pulled another axe from his inventory, preparing for contingencies—
Groooan...
But the Cyclops collapsed motionless to the ground.
[You have defeated the Guardian.]
[This area is now open to new residents.]
[Begin your exploration of the new region.]
Fizz! Spark!
Countless motes of light rose from the Cyclops's body, soaring skyward.
They looked like chaotic fireflies or embers flying from a bonfire.
The rising lights climbed until blocked by the massive Guardian Tree.
Pop! Pop!
Then, astonishingly, the lights clinging to the tree brightened, spreading outward.
Pop! Pop!
Soon, the once-dark shade beneath the tree became so bright it was hard to keep one's eyes open.
After blinking to adjust, Cheoldu surveyed the transformed wasteland.
Drawn by the intense mana emanating from the tree, his gaze turned to its trunk.
The words carved into the bark caught his eye.
[The Guardian Tree has evolved into a Guardian Tree.]
[Donate coins to expand the protected area.]
[Donated Coins - 0]
Cheoldu donated 100 coins.
Pop!
[Donated Coins - 100]
The number changed, but he couldn't tell what had expanded.
"Is that all?"
It felt somewhat anticlimactic.
Then a quest window appeared before him.
[The Beginning of Exploration]
The world of Nova is vast.
It is time to find companions to explore this vast land together.
Go to the outskirts and tame a mount.
Objective: Tame a mount.
Reward: Mount-specific inventory.
"Oh?"
Cheoldu checked his inventory while reading the quest.
The inventory storing Sonadda was labeled:
Pet-specific inventory.
"Heh."
Apparently, the bandits' method of taming horses wasn't Nova's intended system mechanic.
"Both of you, donate some coins."
"Yes, hyung."
Choi Jun-seop quickly donated his coins.
"Huh? At 50 coins, a quest appeared!"
"Exploration?"
"Yeah, it says to tame a mount!"
Choi Jun-seop's voice was brimming with excitement.
The thought of finally riding a horse had him thrilled.
"Heh."
The bandits had formed a cavalry of about 20, hadn't they?
If he equipped the entire mercenary band with horses...
"Hehehe."
Rather than dividing them into classes, he'd train them all as versatile heavy or light cavalry.
"Call everyone in!"
"Yes!"
Oh Jun-hwan hurried back to camp to summon the mercenaries.
"Hmm, feels a bit lacking."
"Right?"
"Not even a special reward?"
"Those are usually hard to get even once."
"I've gotten plenty."
"Well, you're you."
"Huh? Back off!"
Cheoldu sensed surging mana and raised his axe.
Zzzzzzt!
The air before the Guardian Tree split open.
A familiar-looking goblin tumbled out.
"Hohoho."
Choi Jun-seop's eyes widened at the bizarrely laughing creature.
"......?"
"Goblin merchant?"
At Cheoldu's question, the creature grinned and pulled several chests from thin air, laying them out.
"Second time on Earth already. Come come, opportunities like this don't come daily. Pick quickly."
"Second time?"
"Heheh, yes. This place is Earth's second official connection to Nova."
Cheoldu's expression hardened.
So that's why there was no first-clear reward.
"Where was the first?"
"Hohoho. Expecting freebies from a merchant, are we? Want to buy the info?"
"......Never mind."
He could find out after returning to Earth. No need to pay for it.
"Show me your wares."
"Hohoho. Good."
Cheoldu smirked faintly at the purchase list appearing before him.
