After Returning, My Abilities are Infinite
chapter-45

The Light, In itself (1)

The internet and the TV stations around the world were buzzing with the news about the stolen marbles.

Of course, they didn’t have a clue who did it.

They presumed that it was a crime committed by villains, and they were looking hard at their direction.

I hadn’t even graduated from the Academy yet, while Han Yeon-soo was a famous hunter. We would never be on the suspect list.

“So, what are you doing with those?”

Even though what she had done is on the news everywhere, Han Yeon-soo spoke in her usual carefree tone. I was very fortunate that I had her as an ally.

“Well…”

I looked down at the three marbles in front of me.

I knew the Second Disaster quite well, and I had prepared all possible measures. But I didn’t know when it would occur.

However, I could now decide where the cracks would occur.

The Monster Wave will occur wherever a marble was located. Just being able to determine the precise location was already a huge achievement. I remembered the feeling of helplessness as the news announced the monsters raging several countries away from me.

Now, I can decide where to make it happen. Then, I’d have to gather a power that could face it.

No matter how strong I got, I could never stop the Second Disaster alone. It would be unreasonable even if I had the Five Heroes gathered. How can you expect a small number of people to defeat a million monsters?

“Han Yeon-soo.”

“Yes?”

“If you gather all your contacts… How many hunter teams can you build?”

She put her hand on her chin and thought about it for a moment.

“I do not know. If I put everyone, I know… I wonder if I can make a hundred teams.”

“Is it impossible to collect more?”

“If we need more, we will have to hire mercenaries. Then, we can collect up to 200 teams.”

“… Okay.”

The number of personnel gathered with Han Yeon-soo’s power was 200 teams, approximately 800 people. 800 hunters. It’s a huge gathering of awakened people, but it still did not have enough power to withstand the wave.

Then, it can’t be helped.

I had no choice but to release my knowledge of the future to get help.

The first wave would certainly occur before I get enough power.

Of the three marbles in front of me, I picked up the blue one.

Then, I have to make sure it happens in the strongest place in Korea.

The most powerful of any group I know. Besides, those top-ranked guys who didn’t care and didn’t want to help would be forced to move.

‘I would bury it in the front yard of the Association.’

If everyone in the Association helped, they could withstand the wave long enough.

Along with blocking the wave, it would also be personally rewarding for me.

‘It’s time for the Association to eat a little shit.’

* * *

“Jeong Si-woo, what are you doing?”

Someone tapped my shoulder.

When I turned my head, it was Kim Hyun-Tae.

“Why?”

“No, I’m just curious because you’ve been holding on to it all day.”

“Would it help you pass your hunter test? I’m sorry, but it’s not related to you.”

“Huh? I don’t need help. Even if I take the exam after this class, I will surely pass.”

With that attitude, I was sure he’d re-take the exam.

“I don’t think that’s going to happen. I have no intention of telling you what this is, so go and study.”

“No, can you tell me even a hint? It won’t hurt to…”

I slightly pulled my chair backward, as if I was going to stand. Then, Kim Hyun-Tae shut up. Since he saw me in the sparring, he’d been scared of me.

[You have a nasty hobby.]

Kim Hyun-Tae tried to say something, but he eventually left without making another sound.

After making sure he’s far away, I focused on the work I had been doing.

My wrist was stiff. I don’t know how many hours I had spent writing.

I’m glad Kim Hyun-tae didn’t see it.

I was writing letters. Letters that contain secrets that no one knew at this point. A simple letter may be insignificant to some people, but for some, it had value.

The recipient.

Sabangshin, Kim Young-hwan

Temple, Austin.

The Wizard’s Tower, Camilla.

.

.

.

All who received the letter were once called ‘legendaries’, still honored as heroes—the strongest of the first generation.

Those who came before anyone and sacrificed themselves.

Therefore, those who have a deep story.

I was going to use their stories cleverly and replenish my power through those who would otherwise not move.

‘The sender… I should be anonymous.’

The information I wrote was so sensitive that it could get me killed if it fell to the wrong hands.

I carefully put the letter papers in the subspace pocket.

Maybe, these letters might be more dangerous than the beads.

* * *

[Name: Red Bead]

[A marble that holds the power of a volcano. Legend has it that if you have it, you can withstand any heat.]

[*Be careful, sinister energy chases the owner of the item.]

[*It is an object that contains the anger of nature.]

[*Something bad can happen.]

[Name: Black Bead]

[A marble that holds the power of death. Legend has it that you can enjoy eternal life if you have it.]

[*Be careful, sinister energy chases the owner of the item.]

[*It is an item that contains the anger of the dead.]

[*Something bad can happen.]

Each of the remaining beads was analyzed. As I thought, the red and the black beads had their own stories like the blue bead.

As always, Akashic Records rewarded my action.

[You have recorded all the hidden ‘tales’ contained in the second disaster.]

[Conditions have been met.]

[Catastrophe: You have completed the analysis of ‘The History of the Three Marbles.]

[Reward: You can freely enter the inside of the ‘Disaster’ contained in one marble.]

“… Well?”

But this was not what I was hoping for.

I frowned at the unexpected reward. There were about 300,000 monsters in one marble, so what’s the point of entering…

A notification window popped up in front of me.

[Currently, there is one person trapped in the red marble.]

“… … !”

When I saw the phrase, an idea flashed in my head.

If I can get in and out freely, bring that person outside before the wave occurs…

We might be able to survive the Second Disaster without any casualty. No injuries. No death.

The person trapped inside was one of the world’s leading figures.

Zhang Wei.

Of the Five Heroes, the man with the most followers.

If I took him out, things would be much easier.

* * *

I spent all my money right away on supplies that I needed to survive. Instead of asking Han Yeon-soo’s help, I used the compensation received from participating in the Busan Crack. It was enough. The reward a hunter receives from a second-class crack was at a different level.

I stacked up on various potions and defense artifacts.

‘It’s a bit heavy, but if I can save that person…’

He was a little behind in strength among the Five Heroes, but he could not be ignored.

Rather, everyone respected him.

[Hmm… Will you be okay? I feel unusual power in this place…]

‘I can’t guarantee that I would be okay. Honestly, it is a gamble.’

It’s a challenge that I would never do, but when I saw the name that appeared in the notification window, I couldn’t help it.

Besides, the rewards Akashic Records gave didn’t end there.

[You have completed the analysis of the second disaster.]

.

.

.

[You have acquired a free link ticket (one-time use).]

[Name: Free Link Ticket]

[One time, you can Link to any being you want without any restrictions.]

[However, the 10-minute time limit still applies.]

[After 10 minutes of use, the item will disappear, and the link to the target will be broken.]

With this, I should be able to save his life.

Even if I couldn’t rescue him… well, that man wouldn’t die inside. One of his nicknames was ‘The Immortal.’

Koouk-

I held the red bead in my hand and gripped it hard as if to break it.

[Would you like to enter the disaster in the red marble, ‘The World That Has Become Ashes?’]

[Once you entered, you will be able to come out after 30 minutes.]

[You can only rescue the person if you have physical contact with him.]

‘Thirty minutes.’

It was a pretty long time, but it didn’t sound enough.

Still, I muttered ‘yes’ in my mind, and the sights before my eyes changed.

* * *

“Wow…”

The feeling of heat burning through my skin hit me. Every time I breathed, there was the sensation that my lungs were melting.

[The blessing contained in the red marble blocks some heat.]

The power contained in the red marble drove off some heat, but even with that, a little contact with any surface caused minor burns to my skin.

The Second Disaster was a first-class crack. It was an environment where humans couldn’t stay in after a certain period. At the same time, it was full of monsters. Even one of those monsters could kill hundreds of people.

It was a vast and harsh place to find a man.

[… It’s hard to breathe! Who the hell is that person that you’d come into this place to look for him?]

“…Well, how should I say it…”

In a gray world full of ash, I briefly explained it to the Traveler.

Among all traits and skills, his was the rarest. He was welcomed by everyone and wanted by all guilds.

“We could simply call him a healer, so you might easily understand.”

Only

A healer that was part of the Five Heroes.

For him, who was considered God’s gift to mankind, I would step into this desolate rift’s depths.

Zhang Wei is arguably the greatest awakener in the world.

He could grow an amputated limb with one stroke or save a terminal cancer patient with a single gesture. Did I have to say more?

For the best healer in the world, it was worth the effort.