Expedition Preparation (3)

Lisbon, the port city of Portugal, seemed to have held a meeting of superhumans. This was because quite a lot of high-rankers in superhuman society had gathered together there.

“You said we’ve got rankers from 1st to 7th place?”

“I heard that Red Shoes was attached to Korea. Is that true?”

“An African expedition, after humanity retreated helplessly and had to bury 3,000 high-rankers in the past.”

“But the top-rankers are really the strongest this time…”

“Seeing humanity reach the level where it can take back Africa from those monsters will fill my heart with joy.”

“If only the new sword had been alive.”

“There are those who think about such unfortunate things.”

The expedition was treated halfway as a festival by the superhuman society. In the past, humanity suffered a painful loss and was forced to withdraw from the continent entirely, and much time was spent to recover the will and pride lost back then. This expedition could be said to be the last mountain to cross for their rehabilitation. No, one couldn’t be sure what awaited them beyond that mountain.

-Halo’s whisper: Halo, today? Please do well. It is common for any world to lose half of its habitat in the fight against Jormungand.

-Are you cheering me on, or cursing me? And don’t call it a habitat.

-Halo’s whisper: Yes, yes, I know I made a mistake.

He responded to Halo’s question, which flew in a timely manner, and Kang Shin-hyuk laughed despite the tension he felt.

“Junior? Why are you laughing?”

“Ah, you saw me?”

Obviously, he was wearing a mask. Shin Eunah shook her head, feeling her stomach fluttering as she watched him.

“I could see the muscles moving under your mask.”

“Uh… huh.”

After all, she was a woman whose limits couldn’t be measured. In fact, he didn’t even know if he wanted to measure them.

“Eun-hyuk.”

“Yes, R?”

Kang Shin-hyuk replied shortly to Eleanor, whose voice came from his other side. Now that they were both wearing masks, they had to be careful not to reveal each other’s age, or so they had agreed. But for some reason, Eleanor was trembling at his call.

“…Are you still uncomfortable?”

“No.”

It wasn’t until she responded that she began to wonder if it was too early to say anything.

“I’m just not familiar with it.”

“That’s good. So what?”

“Why Lisbon?”

If she hadn’t concentrated on studying modern superhuman history, such a question would be common, Kang Shin-hyuk thought.

“There are countless roads that lead to the continent of Africa, so why are we starting from Lisbon?”

“Yes. Lisbon is so… wasn’t it the beginning of the Indian route? I don’t think it’s ridiculous to think Europe is trying to disrespect the world on this historic day…”

“It’s because all the other roads are blocked, lady.”

As Kang Shin-hyuk tried to answer, there was someone else who answered in fluent American English. When they turned around, Nick Harland, the topranked from the United States and the world’s number two, ‘Stone Ground, stood there.

“Stone Ground?”

“It’s been a long time, Thunder. And the Death Puppeteer… how is the Alchemist doing?”

“Don’t stare like that. Someone might think I was threatening her and holding her against her will.”

“Cheh…”

Stone Ground, who thought that one of his country’s superhumans had been stolen by Korea, clicked his tongue and turned his head towards Eleanor.

“I’ve been hoping to meet you. Masked Bacchus’s activities have been impressive. Could you please give me your name?”

“Oh, uh, it’s R…”

Eleanor floundered a bit, but it was inevitable since he was ranked second in the world. However, even in the midst of that, she didn’t forget to hide her real name, so it could be said she was a truly excellent example for Masked Bacchus.

“R, I think your real name must be very beautiful.”

“Don’t try to take my teammates.”

“Hey, I’m not you. I just wanted to show my face to the next top-ranker candidate.”

He growled at Kang Shin-hyuk, then flashed a friendly smile to Eleanor before continuing to explain.

“Aren’t you curious why the roads are all blocked? The reason is simple. We can’t afford to stop the monsters that flock out every day along the other borders. Rather than pushing in there, we decided to take the path that would allow us to take advantage.”

“As a bonus, all other sea routes were blocked by the concentrated erosion

gates.”

“Ah…”

Stone Ground glared at Kang Shin-hyuk for stealing his explanation at the last second, but then he laughed. It was Kang Shin-hyuk, who was a theory expert before his trait awakened.

“Moreover, when humans retreated from the continent in the past, all overland roads were blocked, and it was to Lisbon where they fled. That’s why it was promised back then. When we go back to Africa, we start in Lisbon.”

“It’s touching.”

“Yes. There would have been even more if none of the high-rankers had turned to Jormungand at that time.”

“Ah…”

Eleanor sighed. The story never ended well.

“Then, see you later. We, the United States, aren’t at all concerned with the status of a superhuman or their birth, but only evaluate and treat them based on skill and character. If you have a reason to hide behind a mask, remember that we are ready to take care of everything…”

“If you’re here just to flirt, then leave!”

“Cheh, then next time.”

When Kang Shin-hyuk grew angry, Shin Eunah’s eyes flared up. Eleanor tilted her head as she watched Stone Ground click his tongue and retreat.

“A top-ranker… why?”

“That’s because you’re excellent. He was in a hurry to see you after noticing our activities.”

Masked Bacchus was one of the most popular groups in the world now. However, while their representatives, the Puppeteer and the Alchemist, already had a clear origin and affiliation, no one knew the remaining three’s status. Stone Ground and other superhumans probably thought they could recruit them from Masked Bacchus.

‘But even though we have a high reputation, our activities were limited to local first response and aid.’

They had mainly been working in and around Seoul, so nobody had a chance to approach them yet. However, one of those members had finally appeared in public where so many superhumans had gathered!

“But compared to Claire and you…”

“I know it’s unlucky to say this, but the threshold is too high. It’s strange that people aren’t paying attention to those who grow fast.”

He thought that this expedition would be a good opportunity to revise Eleanor’s strangely low assessment of herself. Eleanor had lived oppressed for several reasons. Perhaps one was that she had the same SS-class trait as him, but she thought her talent was slow to bloom. Then, he felt a tug on his collar. Shin Eunah complained that he had been talking to Eleanor for too long.

‘Independence is still far away.’

-Issues pop up everywhere.

Shortly after, the number 7, Bridget Poulsen, arrived. Those gathered at the port formed camps by country, and more than ten large ships had been prepared to carry them. Five of them belonged to mercenaries without abilities, but it was said that the success rate of this expedition required that many mercenaries.

“I struggled to keep the EU kids quiet. Eunah, will I be naturalizing to Korea after all?”

“Let’s not do that.”

“These days, Korean movies are a big hit. If I do naturalize, can I sing a lot?”

“Let’s not do that.”

“When I think about it, it’s a really good idea! Same-sex marriage is banned in Korea, but I already decided to live with Eunah all my life!”

“Let’s not do that.”

Since Bridget joined them, Shin Eunah no longer had time to spend time with Kang Shin-hyuk. It wasn’t possible to openly dislike having the world’s 7th ranked superhuman as an ally, so Shin Eunah was quietly frustrated and going crazy. However, from the point of view of Kang Shin-hyuk, who had felt awkward around her since she teleported away from him, he felt grateful for Bridget

“After all, Korea’s superhuman power is great.”

“How does it compare to the UK?”

“Bad.”

Before the start, the two Masked Bacchus members gathered together and chatted quietly, looking at the others gathered around them.

“You said you were fighting with Zeus.”

“Maybe. Just be prepared for that possibility.”

“Yes… I’ll take a quick look at the British side and come back.”

“Don’t get caught.”

“Yes, thanks.”

Eleanor left cautiously. Shin Eunah had been caught by Bridget for the time being, so Kang Shin-hyuk thought about seeing his friends on the Gunners side.

“Nice to meet you, Shin Eun-hyuk.”

Finally, Zeus came to contact him.

“I heard that you met with Kang-yul. I am Yoo Jun-man, and I am in charge of the submaster for Zeus.”

He was a good-looking man in his mid-forties, with considerable magic, unlike Kang-yul Lee. Overall, he seemed to be A-rank or higher, but besides that, it seemed like annoying energy was mixed in. What it was, however, Shin-hyuk didn’t have an answer for right now. Kang Shin-hyuk looked him over and raised his head.

“I told him to contact me by phone.”

“Haha, I’ve already scolded Kang-yul a lot for that; it was immature. Please consider it with a generous heart.”

“Yeah, it’s just that he’s prepared me.”

“Of course. Is there any reason for us to work against the Death Puppeteer, who is ranked fourth in the world?”

There was a nuance of pretending to be polite with every word. Kang Shinhyuk stared at him.

“So, what do you want to say?”

“Actually, our master is very interested in and fond of you. He asked me to tell you that he’d like to see you once.”

“Yeah, I have to meet him.”

As Kang Shin-hyuk nodded, he lowered his head with a smile.

“Thank you. Then, even if I contact you again later…?”

“Yes. But now, shouldn’t we focus on the expedition?”

“Haha, of course. However, since Zeus is in charge of the rear…”

“If you relax, you’ll be swept away. Don’t relax when you’re in Africa.”

Only

“Yes, you’re really cautious as a top-ranker. I will listen to your advice. Well then…”

Kang Shin-hyuk’s eyes narrowed as he watched Yoo Jun-man turn away. At that moment, he could see strings of spiritual power that were thinly stretched out from a small device on his collar.

‘An accident will occur on this expedition, right?’

-Given the recent events, I dare affirm it has a 100% chance of occurring.

‘I can figure out what they’re trying to do…’

– It is a place filled with unknown monsters… be wary they might be affiliated with Jormungand.

Kang Shin-hyuk nodded in agreement. At that moment, a broadcast informed everyone that the time had come.

The expedition was starting.