Chapter 519
“He’s quite strong.”
Taesan had become incomparably stronger than in his previous returns.
Because of that, he could faintly sense the Gatekeeper’s presence.
The energy leaking from beyond the Rift was heavy—immensely so.
Even sealed behind the tear in the sky, its power rivaled that of an Old Gods. Whether it was a fragment or a main body, it was far from an easy opponent.
“Can I fight that and win?”
He couldn’t say. The likelihood of defeat was higher. That was the level it existed on.
[Isn’t the goal not to fight anyway?]
“That’s true.”
The discs brought by the Guardians—if used properly, they could permanently seal the Rift.
If they could achieve that, there would be no need to fight the Gatekeeper at all. It would simply be sealed away from outside.
“Still, better to prepare for the worst.”
[By the way, those Guardians are noisy. Shouldn’t we clean them up? They’re acting like they own the place.]
“It doesn’t matter.”
Taesan spoke indifferently.
“They’re just messengers. They should be able to handle that much on their own.”
—
“Huh?”
The Guardian writhed on the ground.
He couldn’t understand what had happened. He’d seen the woman’s arm move, and the next moment he was collapsing.
“Ugh… ah…”
He struggled upright. His knees buckled, and he nearly fell, but he grabbed the wall and steadied himself.
“Oh. Good.”
Lee Taeyeon let out a sigh of relief.
“You’re not dead. My power control was a little fuzzy.”
“You… you…”
The Guardian forced his sluggish mind to piece together the situation.
He managed to reach a conclusion.
Lee Taeyeon had done something to him.
Rage contorted his face.
“You wench! What did you do to me!”
“I told you. I don’t like it.”
“You—You!”
His shouting drew attention. People approached, murmuring.
“What’s going on?”
“What happened?”
Among them were Guardians.
“What’s the matter?”
“That woman!”
The Guardian pointed, grinding his teeth.
“That woman attacked me!”
“What?”
The Guardians’ expressions hardened. Hostility turned toward Lee Taeyeon.
“Ah.”
Lee Taeyeon’s face showed no fear—only annoyance.
“This is annoying.”
No sense of crisis. Just irritation. As though someone had splashed mud on her shoe.
“What happened?”
Akrasian appeared. The injured Guardian ran to him and relayed his version of events.
Akrasian frowned.
“…I see.”
He turned to Lee Taeyeon with displeasure.
“I was going to overlook minor issues since this world is under the Great One’s direct management, but it seems I cannot. Order must be enforced properly.”
“He attacked me first. How is this my fault?”
“Because we are the Guardians who descended to save you.”
Akrasian spoke as if it were self-evident.
“For us, it is natural that you offer what you can. Refusing such a simple thing is shameless.”
“Ah.”
Lee Taeyeon sighed.
“You haven’t changed at all.”
Akrasian gestured. Guardians encircled her.
‘Perfect.’
To establish perfect control and strict discipline, an example was needed. Akrasian planned to crush Lee Taeyeon publicly.
“You’re strong.”
He acknowledged her power.
“But not strong enough to reach us. I will teach you what happens when you defy a Guardian.”
“Annoying…”
Still no fear—just irritation.
“Then can I do it instead?”
A clear voice rang out.
Amelia approached and stood beside Lee Taeyeon.
“Amelia?”
“You look annoyed. Want me to handle it?”
“I’d appreciate it.”
Lee Taeyeon agreed readily. Amelia smiled deeply.
Akrasian, about to tell her not to interfere, froze when he saw who she was.
“That woman.”
The one who had insulted them earlier.
“Perfect. I’ll punish you first.”
“You?”
Amelia sneered. Akrasian bared his teeth.
“I know you’re strong. Possibly equal to me.”
He drew his sword.
“But I have saved countless worlds. Someone like you can’t be my opponent.”
“Stop talking. Come.”
Amelia flicked her finger, irritated. Akrasian lunged.
His speed was immense—most wouldn’t even perceive it.
He swung his sword. Amelia didn’t move.
Victory flashed across his mind.
And then—
Thud.
Akrasian’s body hit the ground.
“…Huh?”
“Oh my.”
Amelia brushed her hands off.
“I half-expected something unique. Some special power I couldn’t read. I hoped, just slightly, that you’d have something interesting.”
She looked down at the trembling Guardian.
“But you’re just weak?”
“Ugh… ah…”
Akrasian staggered. He hadn’t even seen her move.
He’d attacked—and suddenly he was in the dirt.
His eyes quivered.
“…Sorcery!”
He forced himself forward, refusing to accept the reality.
Amelia extended her hand.
Grasp—
She caught his swinging sword effortlessly.
“Th-Th…”
The sword was suppressed as if wielded by a toddler. Amelia flicked her fist.
Akrasian rolled across the ground with a groan.
“You… you…!”
He pushed past the pain, screaming.
“I am the leader of the Guardians! I have protected countless worlds! I am Akrasian!”
“So?”
Amelia’s voice was flat.
“I guess all those worlds were just weak.”
Akrasian roared:
“Everyone! Kill this woman!”
“Yes, sir!”
Hundreds of Guardians rushed in.
Amelia’s expression brightened.
“Yes. That’s better.”
Hundreds charged.
Amelia clenched her fist.
Kuuuuung!
Before the stunned crowd, a one-sided massacre unfolded.
Armor shattered. Staffs broke. Swords bounced off Amelia’s equipment harmlessly. Fireballs vanished with a wave of her hand.
She crushed them utterly.
Kim Hwi-yeon watched in disbelief.
“This is…”
“I told you. There’s no need to listen to them.”
Diana spoke calmly.
“They are strong enough to save a world. But you are stronger. You underestimate yourselves too much.”
S-class monsters could destroy a world alone. Earth’s players had defeated such beings.
“And Lee Taeyeon defeated one solo.”
Diana continued:
“The universe is vast. There are Planetary Gods, Dragon Lords, Immortals. Many worlds are weak. One hundred mid-tier monsters can destroy them.”
“Huh? Only three-digit monsters?”
Kim Hwi-yeon blinked in confusion. She had defeated countless such enemies.
Diana smiled bitterly.
“That is normal. You are too strong.”
They had forgotten something obvious:
Descending the Labyrinth was nearly impossible.
Most powerful beings—Spirit Kings, Archmages, peak fighters—failed around the 70th floor.
Yet Earth had:
Two deep-level players besides Taesan.
Kang Jun-hyuk nearing the 70th floor.
Multiple leaders descending without issue.
Hard Mode players surpassing the realm of superhumans.
They were stronger than nearly any group in the universe.
“It’s not that you’re weak. Your enemies were too strong.”
Kim Hwi-yeon finally understood why Taesan hadn’t intervened:
It wasn’t worth his attention.
She let out a small, embarrassed laugh.
Kuuuuung!
The battle ended.
Hundreds of Guardians lay defeated.
Amelia didn’t have a scratch.
“Done.”
She dusted her hands again.
—
After that, everything went smoothly.
The Guardians could no longer speak back.
Some stubborn ones still shouted:
“We are saving the world—!”
“Please shut up.”
Amelia chopped one on the back of the head and knocked him out. The others fell silent.
They understood the hierarchy now.
They were arrogant—but not stupid.
Amelia stretched.
“That felt great. Should’ve crushed them sooner.”
“Nice work.”
“Why are they so weak? They really save worlds?”
“They do.”
Lee Taeyeon answered.
But those worlds had only ever faced weak threats—A-class monsters at most. The Old Gods didn’t even glance at them.
The Guardians thought of themselves as elite apostles of the Transcenders.
In truth, they were just cleaners handling chores.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s over.”
The matter ended there.
The journey continued. People now ignored the Guardians completely. The Guardians gritted their teeth but stayed silent.
They dealt with monsters along the way. Minerva cleared a path across the sea.
Finally, they arrived beneath the Rift.
“Wow…”
“It’s huge.”
The Rift stretched across all of Greenland.
A chilling energy leaked out.
Taesan stood waiting.
“You’re here.”
“Yes.”
Taesan gave Akrasian a glance. Akrasian said nothing—only lowered his head.
That was all the attention Taesan gave him.
“Prepare.”
The players readied their equipment and formed ranks.
Soon, a new quest appeared.
[Special Quest Start.]
[Install the four small discs at the edges of the Rift to block the Rift in the sky.]
[Monsters will attempt to kill you and prevent the seal.]
[Risk your lives and win.]
[Condition: Activate all four discs. The discs must not be destroyed.]
[Reward: Differential rewards upon returning to the Labyrinth.]