NOVPUBLee Taeyeon worked tirelessly.
She started by clearing out the city. On her own, she dealt with all the monsters near their shelter, securing a safer zone. Next, she organized the inside of the city. She gathered people, selected those with building experience, and began construction. Until then, they’d been too occupied with monster attacks, but now, with Taeyeon protecting them, they finally had time to put their shelter in order.
Taeyeon also took on the responsibility of guiding the people who continued to show up. She gave hope to those driven to madness upon returning to Earth and helped them avoid falling into despair. She granted them the belief that they could still live on this world.
She recruited those with keen eyesight and survival skills for guard duty, and she didn’t hesitate to use her items to secure the area.
“Plant one of these at each corner of the perimeter,” she instructed Taesan, handing him four small black stakes.
“What are these?” he asked.
“Items that create a barrier to repel intruders. If something strong enough to breach the barrier shows up, it’ll send a warning.”
In the deep labyrinth, they’d sometimes been forced to survive in monster-infested jungles for months, and these stakes had been invaluable for such situations. Taesan took them to the edge of their territory and set them up.
Thanks to the stakes, weaker monsters were kept at bay, and if stronger ones managed to push through, a loud warning would alert the others, giving people time to prepare.
Taeyeon’s strength, along with her numerous items, became a tremendous asset.
With her return to Earth, countless issues were resolved almost overnight.
“Wow!”
“Taeyeon!”
“With her around, we’re safe!”
People’s admiration for her only grew stronger.
Taeyeon struggled to hide her own unease, forcing herself to reassure them.
“I’ll protect you all.”
But, in truth, she wished someone would protect her.
She didn’t want to lead people. She didn’t want to be responsible for their lives.
But she never let those words slip out.
She always wore a mask of smiles and confidence, putting on a brave face.
When she went out to patrol the perimeter alone, the only release she allowed herself was a silent scream.
“Aaaah...”
She let out a sigh of exhaustion as she sank into a broken sofa.
Her cries seemed to attract a monster that burst through the wall.
[A Monster 978 has appeared.]
“Get lost.”
Bam!
Without even getting up, she swung her arm, turning the triple-digit monster charging at her into a pile of flesh.
“No... I can’t keep doing this...”
The monster was already forgotten, a mere blur in her mind.
She couldn’t keep up this act much longer. Sooner or later, her mask would crack, and her weakness would show.
That couldn’t happen.
The people needed a figure to trust, unwavering and confident. She had to be strong for them so they could believe they could win.
As she searched for a way to keep going, her eyes fell on a painting hanging on the wall.
She was in the ruins of a high-rise building, the kind once inhabited by the wealthy. A few decorations and artworks remained intact.
It was a painting, likely crafted by a well-known artist.
“....”
With no particular interest in it, she brought the painting back to their shelter.
“Taeyeon, what’s that?”
“I thought it looked nice. Isn’t it pretty?”
Taeyeon smiled as she held up the painting.
“The world may be ending, but that’s all the more reason to enjoy small things. It brings a ray of hope to our bleak lives.”
“Ohhh...”
“You’re right!”
Everyone nodded vigorously.
After that, the people began to pursue hobbies, as Taeyeon had suggested. Some carved decorations out of concrete; others took up drawing. These small hobbies had a surprisingly positive effect, as Taeyeon had hoped, and the calls for her increased even more.
Everyone worshipped her.
Everyone trusted her.
They believed, without a doubt, that she would save them.
Only Taesan looked at her with quiet concern.
“Are you okay?”
“What do you mean?”
She smiled faintly.
“This is just something I have to do, right? It’s not that hard.”
“...Is that so?”
Taesan responded calmly.
Her heart pounded with anxiety. Did he know? No, she believed her act was flawless. After all, everyone else trusted and believed in her.
He must really just be concerned about her. That was all, she told herself.
“I’ll head back to rest. Call me if you need anything.”
“Alright.”
As Taesan responded, she returned to her quarters and buried her face in her pillow.
“Phew...”
She exhaled deeply, stretching her body to relieve some of her tension.
“This is exhausting.”
She muttered the words aloud. Turning over, she looked through a crack in the ceiling at the fissured sky beyond.
Just looking at it sent chills down her spine. The energy emanating from that crack was utterly terrifying, and she quickly turned her gaze away.
‘No one knows.’
Only she understood just how hopeless their situation was.
The creatures beyond the crack hadn’t moved yet, but she knew they would eventually.
Still...
Taeyeon clenched her fist.
She continued saving people, keeping on her confident mask.
And a year passed like that.
---
“Ah, Taeyeon!”
A man standing by the enormous barricade greeted her cheerfully. His complexion was healthy, and his hair was neatly combed.
“Are you going out on patrol again? You’ve been doing that a lot lately.”
“Yes. I’ll be back soon.”
“Stay safe.”
With warm farewells, she stepped beyond their shelter’s borders. Confirming she was alone, she muttered to herself.
“We survived another year.”
Taeyeon had done her best.
As a result, their situation had significantly improved. Their territory had expanded, and the number of survivors continued to grow.
Hope was beginning to return to people’s faces.
But Taeyeon grew increasingly anxious.
The power within the sky’s fissure was growing more and more unstable, as if ready to burst.
Something massive was preparing to descend. Her instincts, honed from clearing the labyrinth, sounded alarm bells.
“...I need to check this out.”
[You have activated Silent Mouse’s Breath.]
[You have activated Secret Story Unknown to All.]
[You have activated Invisible Shadow.]
Her presence vanished entirely.
Even if the Sin’s Guide or their leaders were nearby, they would not sense her now.
Shrouded in her skills, she continued moving.
Clearing any monsters she encountered, she pushed forward.
At last, she arrived directly beneath the fissure.
“It’s been a while since I was here.”
She looked up at the crack, lost in thought.
Being this close, she could feel the madness of the power writhing within it.
“Hm.”
[You have activated the Sight of Contemplation.]
Her vision expanded.
Everything related to the energies, rules, and structure contained within that fissure became visible to her.
As she observed it, she froze.
“What?”
The crack was widening.
Something began to fall from within it.
Boom!
With an ear-splitting crash, the ground shattered. Taeyeon held her breath.
From the fissure, about ten monsters descended.
The number was small. For someone who had slain tens of thousands of monsters, it seemed manageable.
But when she examined the monsters’ power, she froze in terror.
[A Monster 3 has appeared.]
[A Monster 9 has appeared.]
[A Monster 10 has appeared.]
[A Monster 43 has appeared.]
...
...
Two single-digit monsters.
Eight double-digit monsters.
They were on a level she had never encountered before.
Krrkk.
The aura of death spread in all directions, killing everything in its path.
The monsters, seemingly unaware of Taeyeon, began moving away from her.
She stood there, paralyzed.
Only after they had vanished beyond the horizon did she finally gasp for breath.
“Haah!”
Sweat dripped down her cheeks. Her entire body trembled in fear.
“What... are those things?”
She managed to choke out the words.
They were powerful.
Especially the single-digit monsters; even risking her life, she could not guarantee victory against them.
‘I can’t do it.’
The fear of death overwhelmed her. She turned, ready to run in the opposite direction, to escape, when she realized...
The monsters were headed toward the survivor’s shelter.
A thousand thoughts raced through her mind in an instant.
“...No... no, no, no!”
She clutched her head, her eyes bloodshot, before finally making up her mind.
A small gemstone glowed in her hand.
[You have activated Location-Based Teleportation.]
“Wha—?”
“Taeyeon? Weren’t you out on patrol?”
Startled by her sudden appearance, the people stared as she wiped the dust off her crushed gemstone.
“...Gather everyone. I have something to say.”
---
Taeyeon gathered the survivors and spoke.
Single- and double-digit monsters were approaching.
Even she wasn’t sure she could win.
They would have to fight for their lives.
When she finished speaking, silence fell, and no one dared to speak.
“...Is this true, Taeyeon?”
“Would I lie?”
She snapped. The man who had asked flinched and lowered his head.
“N-no, I’m sorry...”
Taeyeon pressed her fingers against her forehead.
She couldn’t even keep up the pretense. Her heart raced, her breathing ragged.
Forcing herself to calm down, she continued.
“...I’ll try to handle as much as I can. But I won’t be able to stop them all. You’ll
have to hold off some of the double-digit monsters.”
“Ugh...”
“Damn it...”
The people who had forgotten the fear of death since her arrival began cursing.
Taesan alone stood there, calm amidst the terror, watching her with a quiet gaze.
She clenched her fists tightly.
“I can only handle one of the single-digit monsters. Taesan, you’ll have to handle the other.”
“Alright.”
There was no complaint, no irritation, no anger.
Taesan simply accepted.
Word of the impending battle spread quickly, and despite their terror, people gripped their weapons, preparing for the fight.
Taeyeon was no different. She tried to keep up her mask of confidence, but she couldn’t stop her fingers from trembling.
Trying to hide it, she struck up a conversation with Taesan.
“I’m surprised.”
“By what?”
“I thought you’d at least complain a little.”
He was facing a monster even Taeyeon couldn’t be sure she could beat.
Though strong, Taesan’s power was limited. Depending on the opponent, he could easily be defeated.
Yet, he replied simply.
“Who else would do it? You can’t, so that leaves me.”
He had already accepted his life-or-death fight.
Taeyeon looked at him, speechless.
Taesan was strong.
Not just physically but mentally as well.
He was nothing like her.
Boom...
But before she could dwell on her thoughts, a rumbling shook the air. Waves of dread reached them, and the people paled.
“Haha. They’re here.”
Taeyeon let out a bitter laugh and tightened her grip on her sword.
“Then... see you on the other side.”
She pushed off, rushing toward the approaching monsters.
[You have activated Obscuring Veil.]
The world shifted as the monsters’ vision blurred, and Taeyeon’s form expanded in their sight.
Boom!
The monsters charged at her, and she licked her dry lips, creating distance between her and the shelter.
“I never thought I’d use this skill this way.”
Originally, it was meant to conceal her presence and throw off her enemy’s movements.
But now, she was using it to hide the city and enlarge her own figure.
Once she had led them far enough away, Taeyeon stopped.
One single-digit monster.
And six double-digit monsters.
Her voice lowered to a whisper.
“What the hell are you?”
Why are you tormenting me like this?
Why are you attacking Earth?
Why can’t you just leave us alone?
Just let us live here quietly. Let us die here in peace.
Why... why... why?
[Initiating instant death judgment...]
[You have activated Negative Judgment Nullification.]
[Judgment nullified!]
She gripped her sword tightly.
“If you’re going to keep pushing me... then just die already.”
Her spirit, worn thin by endless stress, hardened into focused rage.
Taeyeon opened her inventory, pulling out a piece of equipment she had long cherished.
It was a staff, unadorned save for its striking red color.
A crimson gem gleamed at its tip.
The moment the staff appeared, the air heated up. The temperature within a few dozen kilometers instantly rose.
Taeyeon raised the staff.
“Burn to ashes.”
[You have activated the Red Giant.]
