Chapter 292: To the vast world (1)

“It’s snowing!”

Joonbum reached out to the snow drifting onto the ground. The snow that used to be tainted with chemicals and various pollutants was now pure and clean.

‘There’s only a month left now.’

It was almost winter. It had been over eleven months since Joonbum returned to Earth. In a month, the Gate was going to close and he would need to stay here for nine years before returning.

‘Should I go? Or stay?’

He had already made up his mind, but he kept having second thoughts.

‘This is frustrating.’

The Khalodian Empire had successfully finished their expedition throughout the entire Korean peninsula. The harsh terrain blocked their way into China, but they had recovered over 70% of the entire peninsula and rescued over fifty thousand people.

‘I saved Korea. Should I recall the expedition now?’

It had been on his mind for a while now. He kept thinking about this issue when the army kept racking up casualties as the days went by. Unbeknownst to him, the land was steadily being transformed by the new wave of migrants coming through the Gate. As the monsters were all killed or driven out, farmers settled to start their farmlands in the fertile fields. Also, the mountains and rivers had such an abundance of food that it was enough to be called a blessed land.

“What are you doing? Are you deep in your thoughts again?”

Jinpok came over as he drank the beer he was holding. Joonbum nodded.

“Yeah… I don’t like hearing the increase in casualties.”

“Yea, but you should cut that out. People die no matter what. Besides, it’s mostly those merchants and mercenaries who do illegal stuff that get them killed. They knew what they were getting into.”

Joonbum nodded. Then, Jinpok turned to a direction and mumbled, “Dammit. We have no time to rest.”

There was a soldier who had found Joonbum and Jinpok and was running to them.

“Your Majesty! We have a radio signal coming in!”

“Radio? What is it?” Jinpok asked in surprise.

The soldier explained, “Yes, Commander. The southern fleet sent a report that they are receiving multiple distress calls to the Khalodian Empire.”

“Rescue requests to the Empire itself? So, there are people out there listening to our messages?”

Jinpok mused to himself while Doral came over nodded and interrupted, “Where is it coming from?”

“We have multiple reports from what used to be America. We also have more reports with various languages, and we are mustering all personnel who can speak in said languages to communicate with them.”

“Different languages?”

“Hmm.”

Joonbum frowned. This was too sudden. They had been sending messages all over the world ever since they arrived, but with no response. He had long given up hope of getting any replies. That was why he thought it might be better to concentrate on rebuilding civilization in this peninsula, rather than go out and search for survivors.

“Why are they sending messages now?”

Doral asked and the soldier explained further.

“It is likely that the fleet moved out of the radio interference on the peninsula.”

“I see..”

“We have a total of 132 rescue requests, each from different locations. The total number of people awaiting for rescue is 35,121. Our troops are already on standby for rescue missions. They are just awaiting your orders, Your Majesty.”

The soldier finished his report to Joonbum.

‘I guess we have no choice.’

Joonbum looked up at the sky and took a deep breath before nodding.

“Go send word to the commanders that I authorize all operations related to rescue missions.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

The soldier left and Jinpok looked at Joonbum with a grin.

“Hehe… I guess we have no choice but to go.”

“Yeah. It seems like there was no need to even think about it.”

“Yes, and I like it this way. I was getting bored. Shall we go then?”

Jinpok laughed as Joonbum shrugged.

“Sure.”

“Let’s go. We’ll go to America and Northern Europe! This is like world conquest! Haha!”

Jinpok laughed and Joonbum smiled.

“Prepare the helicopter! We’re flying down to the southern fleet!”

Jinpok shouted, “Let’s go! We are going out to the world!”

Jinpok roared with excitement. Joonbum looked out on the horizon and thought.

‘Yes. To the world…’

“Land!”

People all ran toward the edge of the deck and looked out at the land that was slowly becoming visible to their naked eyes.

“We’ll be the first to get there!”

“Don’t be too excited. Our scouts say it’s infested with monsters.”

“Ha! Better for us since we can wreak havoc upon them! Biggs, are you suddenly scared or something?”

“They’re coming! Ready your weapons!”

The sky soon was filled with large birds.

“Damn seagulls. They’re giant as always.”

“Yeah. I’m sick of them.”

“It doesn’t matter. We’ll have chicken for dinner today!”

“Hey Ron, stop saying that. People will think we are savages or something. People here don’t eat monsters, remember?”

Biggs shouted at Ron who was looking into the sky and he scoffed.

“Hah! They need to starve more. Who cares what the meat is if you are hungry?”

There were monsters approaching them, but the soldiers didn’t seem nervous. They weren’t relaxed either as they were all ready trained to fight the imminent battle.

End of Chapter