Chapter 518
A quiet voice echoed.
The atmosphere chilled. The Guardians’ faces twisted.
“We’re… weak?”
“Not weak. Not weak.”
But that was all they insisted on.
“I don’t think you’re at the level to save a world. Did you really save one?”
“How dare you! Watch your insolent mouth!”
A Guardian erupted in anger, gripping his weapon tightly.
“That’s how it feels, so what?”
Amelia grumbled with no tension on her face.
Akrasian forced himself to swallow his anger, his lips twisting.
“…You’re strong.”
“Moderately strong. Though there’s one person who’s too much of a monster.”
“But you’re frogs in a well. In the end, you can’t even save this world.”
“Well, that’s true…”
Amelia shrugged. She had no rebuttal.
“But that doesn’t mean you’re strong.”
“You—”
Killing intent surged instantly. A collision seemed moments away.
“You need to be taught a lesson.”
Akrasian began to draw his sword. Amelia watched him calmly.
But the sword never came out.
Taesan had appeared without anyone noticing, silently watching.
“Ah. Taesan.”
“K-Kang Taesan-nim…”
Akrasian froze under Taesan’s emotionless gaze, cold sweat forming on his brow.
After a moment of silent staring, Taesan simply turned and left.
Akrasian barely regained control of himself.
‘That was dangerous.’
Their master was a Transcender. If he acted recklessly here, he might face divine punishment.
Composing himself, Akrasian sneered.
“It doesn’t matter what nonsense you spout. You couldn’t save this small world. Meanwhile, we’ve saved countless worlds.”
It was a fact Amelia couldn’t deny.
But she was suspicious.
“…I think I understand.”
She nodded to herself. Akrasian took it as her conceding and smirked.
“Do you really believe your shallow experience surpasses ours? Don’t be foolish.”
Silence followed.
*
*
The conclusion was reached quickly.
Earth’s players decided to follow the Guardians’ commands.
It was natural. The Guardians had saved many worlds from the Old Gods. Earth’s players had not.
Since the difference in achievements was overwhelming, there was no basis to oppose them.
But one concern remained:
Those who had reached the deep floors—Amelia, Lee Taeyeon, and others.
They seemed the type to rebel. Amelia especially appeared distrustful of the Guardians.
Yet unexpectedly, neither objected.
“I don’t care. It’s fine. Let’s take it easy.”
“Do as you want.”
Lee Taeyeon spoke indifferently. Amelia seemed uninterested.
“…You’re really okay with following their orders?”
“We’re not fighting anyway, right? Then I don’t care. And I’m not planning to follow them.”
“What?”
“My master is Taesan.”
Amelia stated it without hesitation.
She was Taesan’s sole Apostle. Her soul, her strength—everything belonged only to him.
“The only one who can give me orders is Taesan.”
Everyone else meant nothing to her.
“Kim Hwi-yeon, Oliver—you were appointed by Taesan, so you should work with them for now. But I’m not following those guys.”
“Is that really okay? If things escalate—”
“Why?”
Her calmness stunned Kim Hwi-yeon. Lee Taeyeon was no different.
Their attitudes were baffling, but for now, the matter settled.
The Guardians began to command the players.
With hundreds of millions of people, it was chaotic at first, but with Kim Hwi-yeon’s help, order was established quickly.
And they marched toward Greenland—toward the Rift.
Monsters soon appeared, blocking their path.
[Uooooh!]
[Krrr!]
[Monster 48881 has appeared.]
[Monster 97745 has appeared.]
[Monster 32319 has appeared.]
[Monster 47515 has appeared.]
Thousands of monsters charged.
Akrasian readied his weapon with theatrical enthusiasm.
“Watch closely, ignorant ones.”
His voice swelled with arrogance.
“This is our power.”
The Guardians dashed forward.
They crashed into the horde at high speed.
Kwaaaaaang!
Monsters were ripped apart instantly.
“Hahaha!”
One Guardian laughed heartily as he swept his axe through groups of monsters.
Woo-woong!
A monster dodged and grabbed his arm.
“Hmph!”
He shook it off violently. The monster crashed into the ground.
Kwaddeuk.
The Guardians continued their assault.
In moments, the monsters were wiped out.
The Guardians raised their hands triumphantly.
“Uooooooo!”
Akrasian faced the Earth players proudly.
“This is our power!”
But no applause came.
Confused, Akrasian pressed on.
“We saved many worlds. Naturally, we possess this degree of strength.”
He added smugly:
“These monsters are fairly strong. Without the Transcender’s help, we would have struggled. You’ve all done well.”
Still, no reaction.
They weren’t impressed.
“Why are they only B-rank?”
They had expected thousands of A-ranks at minimum—but these were nothing but B-ranks.
Even Earth’s players could defeat such monsters with ease by now.
And yet the Guardians flaunted their victory proudly.
It was… strange.
Like hearing a famed warrior boast about defeating a stray dog.
Still, it caused no practical issues. The monsters were cleared, and the group could advance without casualties.
But Kim Hwi-yeon felt uneasy.
They knew nothing about the Guardians—only that they had saved many worlds. Their personalities? Their methods? Their true strength?
Could they entrust judgment to such unknowns?
Eventually, she sought Taesan.
“What do you think?”
After hearing her worries, Taesan answered plainly.
“Do as you please.”
“…Sorry?”
“I won’t interfere with disputes between you and them.”
This wasn’t a threat to humanity. It wasn’t a battle for survival. It wasn’t something they couldn’t resolve themselves.
“You shouldn’t rely on me too much. You must rely on me for survival, but if you rely on me for every decision, you’ll never stand on your own.”
Kim Hwi-yeon fell silent.
He was right.
“Weak conflicts between mortals aren’t my concern.”
Then he added:
“I have things to do.”
“Things to do?”
“I’m going ahead to scout.”
Taesan snapped his fingers. Minerva appeared, slicing through space.
“Oof! Long time no see!”
“Sorry. There was no reason to summon you.”
His current enemies were far beyond Minerva’s level.
“Make a path for them over the sea.”
“Got it!”
Taesan rose. Kim Hwi-yeon called out hurriedly.
“Taesan-ssi?”
“If you don’t know something, ask Diana. I’ll leave things to you.”
And Taesan vanished.
Kim Hwi-yeon stared blankly at the empty sky.
*
*
Taesan had disappeared.
The news spread quickly, causing unrest.
Kim Hwi-yeon worked desperately to calm the people.
Taesan had gone ahead to prepare.
He would be waiting for them.
The panic settled somewhat.
And then—
The Guardians, learning Taesan was gone, revealed their true nature.
Night fell. People were building shelters and preparing to rest.
The Guardians intervened.
“Stop.”
Akrasian stood before the crowd.
“From today onward, sleeping in groups without permission is forbidden. Spread out.”
“What? Why?”
“Order and discipline are deteriorating. Follow instructions.”
People whispered in confusion.
It made no sense.
Akrasian scowled.
“Are you defying my rules?”
With a chilling tone, he drew his sword.
People, frightened, obeyed.
That alone might have been tolerable.
But soon more rules came.
“Do not make noise while we fight.”
“We need people to serve our meals.”
“We need people to wash us.”
They had come to help—but were acting like nobles demanding servants.
Dissatisfaction surged.
“What is this?”
“Even if they’re helping, this is too much.”
Complaints reached Kim Hwi-yeon.
She went to Diana.
“Do you know what they’re like?”
“I do.”
Diana explained.
They had also come to save her world—supposedly.
“But our world wasn’t being invaded by the Old Gods. They misinterpreted it.”
Diana smiled bitterly.
“In the end, they said they ‘could’ save our world. People believed them and gave them everything—food, gold, even women.”
“And… your world wasn’t saved?”
“No.”
Diana said coldly.
“My world was destroyed.”
“…But why?!”
“The reason is simple.”
Beldenkia sneered.
“When destruction came, they said they had no obligation to help since an Old God wasn’t involved. They left after enjoying everything.”
“But they said—”
“They said they ‘could’. Not that they ‘would’. They laughed about it.”
Kim Hwi-yeon fell silent.
Diana’s voice hardened.
“They are righteous—because stopping the Old Gods is righteous. But they are not good.”
“If they weren’t righteous at all, Diana would’ve slaughtered them. She simply held back.”
“I see…”
Kim Hwi-yeon felt overwhelmed. Diana tilted her head.
“What are you worried about?”
“…Huh?”
“There’s nothing to worry about.”
“But they came to help us. Shouldn’t we listen—”
“No.”
Diana cut her off.
“You do not need to obey the Guardians.”
“What?”
“Ah, so that’s why.”
Diana nodded as if understanding everything.
“Amelia and Lee Taeyeon realized it, but you didn’t.”
“What do you mean?”
“We respected the Guardians only because they were overwhelmingly stronger than us. But you—”
She pointed at Earth’s players.
“—are not weaker.”
Kim Hwi-yeon blinked.
“Why would you obey those weaker than you? They hold no power over you.”
Diana looked genuinely confused.
♦ * *
“I’m bored.”
A Guardian complained.
Monsters were weak. Entertainment was nonexistent. Everything around them had been destroyed.
“Hm…”
He licked his lips as a group of Earth players walked by.
His gaze lingered on a woman.
“You there. Come.”
He grabbed her arm. She pointed at herself.
“Me?”
“Yes.”
He pulled her aside where no one could hear.
“We are saving you. Protecting this dying world.”
“Ah… so?”
“Then shouldn’t you reward us appropriately?”
Greed filled his eyes.
“Oh.”
The woman nodded.
“I don’t want to.”
“…What?”
“I said I don’t want to.”
“You must not understand.”
He raised his fist threateningly.
“This is getting annoying.”
But the woman—Lee Taeyeon—showed no fear.
Her hand flickered.
Kwaddeuk!
The Guardian’s body slammed into the wall.
—
Meanwhile—
Taesan had arrived beneath the Rift.
“Hm.”
A massive tear split the sky.
It was growing—slowly but steadily.
And from beyond, he felt a vast presence.
‘Gatekeeper.’
The guardian of the Rift.
“So it’s this one again?”
Taesan murmured.