Chapter 40

To rescue Alice, two things were needed.

One was medicine.

When the quest ended, Alice’s arms were in such a terrible state that calling them rags would be an understatement.

While it was impossible to know how much time had passed, given the word “continuation,” there was a possibility that it would pick up right where the previous quest ended. Starting the quest recklessly without preparation could lead to the worst-case scenario of having to survive in the mansion with arms that could barely move, so medicine to heal both arms was essential.

‘I’ve gotten several medicines, but…’

Low-grade potions from fantasy worlds, strange medicine from martial arts worlds – while he had gathered everything he could get his hands on, considering the severity of the wounds where bones were visible and the effectiveness of these medicines, he couldn’t feel at ease with just these.

He needed medicine with more powerful effects.

And the second preparation was, in some ways, even more important than the first.

“Equipment.”

There are two types of power that can be obtained through quests.

The first is power from skills.

While it’s reliable since it comes from one’s own body and mind, it has a fatal flaw – due to users having to operate in different bodies for each quest, the power becomes unstable when not in their original body, and in the worst case, it might be impossible to use due to the absence of abilities like magic power.

The second is power from equipment.

While it has the disadvantage of drawing attention when used on Earth, when used in quests, it has the overwhelming advantage of guaranteeing consistent power regardless of the body’s abilities, and as long as it’s not abused enough to affect the clear rank, there’s no need to worry about consequences.

‘On Earth, skills take priority over equipment, but in quests, it’s the opposite.’

He needed powerful equipment that could supplement Alice’s weak abilities.

While obtaining desired equipment was nearly impossible in South Korea, which maintained strong control and stability even in this changed world, the connection to Seo Chang-hoon, who had become a guild leader, and massive capital investment made the impossible possible.

‘I’ll complete all preparations before the items arrive.’

After finishing his organization, Yuseong returned to the panic room and put on the goggles.

[Accessing Multi-dimensional Exploration System]

[Quest observation successful]

-Girl Seeking Salvation (146 hours)

-Guns, Germs, Adamantium.

-201 Members of the Resistance Wanting to Escape from the Demon Realm.

-Is There Anyone with the Ability to Beat Jegal Family’s Formation?

-Tracking the Serial Killer of Neo Town.

…

……

………

“…That resistance group is quite intriguing.”

A name that always appeared in the quest list like ginger in traditional medicine.

Yuseong, curious about the decreasing number of survivors he noticed each time he checked, clicked on it and was horrified.

[201 Members of the Resistance Wanting to Escape from the Demon Realm]

-Civilization Classification: B-02

-Civilization Grade: 2.02

-Difficulty: A+

-Demon tribes invade the continent at all hours. Enraged by the accumulated damage, all intelligent races of the continent gathered their strength to strike at the demon realm, the demons’ base, but due to certain circumstances, the resistance failed to achieve their objective and are now wandering the demon realm, pursued by demons. Please help them return to their original world

-Clear Conditions.

1.Safe Return to the Continent: 1,000,000 Karma per survivor, Supreme Magic Stonex53, Supreme Demon’s Heartx87, Demon Sword Belphegor, God of War’s Flag, Divine Bow Storm Arrow, Hatchling-class Magic Armor…

-Additional Conditions.

1.If Serious Damage is Dealt to Demons: 50,000,000 Karma, All Accessories and Possessions of Defeated Demons, Fragment of Demon King’s Core.

“This is insane!”

Yuseong hastily went back.

A hopeless situation with not even a speck of hope visible at a glance, an infuriating A+ difficulty, and dazzling rewards – everything about it was spine-chilling.

Quickly moving past it to avoid any bad luck, Yuseong finally found the quest he wanted.

[Unidentified Organism. Highly Hostile to Humans]

-Civilization Classification: H-32

-Civilization Grade: 1.02

-Difficulty: C-

-A facility built 9,000m underwater for resource extraction. While carrying out their usual routine of extracting and sending resources to the surface, something unexpected occurred. The appearance of an unidentified organism never before seen. Unfortunately, this organism is extremely hostile towards humans and is massacring the facility’s personnel. Escape to the surface from this creature.

-Clear Conditions.

1.Escape to Surface: 200,000 Karma, Emergency Regeneration Ampoule for Severe Traumax5, High-powered Explosives for Rock Crushingx3, Pure Titanium Ingot 5kg,

-Additional Conditions.

1.Rescue Survivors: 100,000 Karma per survivor. High-concentration Helium-3 Fuel Rodx1.

While the grade was slightly concerning, the moment he confirmed the quest rewards, Yuseong instinctively knew he had no choice.

Unlike potions with ambiguous names making their effects hard to guess, the Emergency Regeneration Ampoule for Severe Trauma had a name that intuitively conveyed its effect and performance.

He instinctively realized this was needed to perfectly heal Alice’s severe injuries.

“Phew.”

C-grade.

And not a special case like ‘I Can’t Take It Anymore’ where the grade doesn’t match the difficulty, but a quest with difficulty truly befitting its C- grade.

Taking a deep breath to compose himself, Yuseong started the quest with a stern expression.

[‘Unidentified Organism. Highly Hostile to Humans’ will now begin]

[Initiating Deus Ex Machina Program]

[Dimensional coordinates specified and Ariadne’s Thread connection complete]

[Initiating spirit particle transfer]

* * *

His first thought was ‘I’m screwed.’

Anyone would think that if the first thing they saw when their vision changed was the creature’s claws aimed at their head.

“Kuk!”

Though he threw himself with all his might, he couldn’t avoid the burning pain that rose from his cheek.

‘Synchronization isn’t complete so I can’t use skills! In that case…’

[Spending 5,000 Karma Points to retrieve Brant Republic Research Lab #53 Mountain Close Combat Armament Prototype(C+)]

Bzzzzt!

“Kieeeeek!”

The creature momentarily hesitated with a shriek at the plasma axe blade that appeared with the sound of lightning.

In that brief opening, though unable to use any skills, Yuseong, experienced in combat through countless battles, didn’t hesitate to dive in and swing the axe at the creature’s head.

Crack!

The creature, its crown split in half, thrashed about spraying blue blood everywhere.

A flat head with protruding eyes, green scales covering its entire body, a hunched back, gills, and webbed feet.

Looking at its appearance, which seemed like a mix between a fish and a frog, Yuseong instinctively felt disgust and unconsciously took a step back.

“…Huh?”

It was strange.

Though he couldn’t say he’d seen many, he had encountered no small number of monsters, including ones more horrific and grotesque than this, yet he couldn’t understand why this one inspired incomparable revulsion.

As he suppressed his instincts to try to understand this inexplicable reaction and leaned forward to observe the creature’s appearance more closely, a name suddenly occurred to Yuseong.

‘This must be Deep…’

[Synchronization with ‘Jerome’ is complete]

[You can now use ‘Jerome’s’ skills]

-Oh Lord who watches over us from heaven. Give us trials…

“Hey, snap out of it.”

-Huh? W-who are you? Where are you speaking from? More importantly, where am I?!

“Ah, well…”

After pondering briefly, Yuseong recalled Jerome’s prayer-like muttering and Philip’s perception of users, and casually said.

“I’m an angel. The One above was moved by your unwavering faith even in this dire moment and sent me to help you.”

-Ah, aah! So He really does exist!

‘This is convenient, saves me from having to explain things every time.’

Ignoring Jerome who was rapidly reciting prayers, Yuseong called up the status window.

Name: Jerome

Class: Skilled Heavy Equipment Operator

Level: 43

Title: Always Energetic

Strength: 109

Agility: 92

Wisdom: 95

Constitution: 105

Mana: 8

Skills: Titan Heavy Equipment Operation(C-), Tireless Stamina(D), Enhancement Procedure(D), Advanced Equipment Maintenance(D), Skilled Craftsmanship(D)

“What? Why are you so strong?”

Seeing the job of heavy equipment operator, he had expected abilities similar to a normal person, but he couldn’t help but be surprised at the strength and constitution surpassing his Earth self, along with slightly lower agility and wisdom.

-Because I received enhancement procedure? It’s a mandatory procedure for mining work at these ocean depths.

“Ah…”

Belatedly checking the skill window, Yuseong nodded.

Seeing the words “resource facility built at 9,000m underwater,” he had guessed it was a science-based civilization, and it seemed this world had scientific advancement developed enough for enhancement procedure to be commonplace.

While the low mana was slightly disappointing, this was still quite a satisfactory body.

“First, explain the current situation. What happened, what’s the facility’s status, things like that.”

-Huh? Don’t angels know everything?

“I came in a hurry so I don’t know anything. What? Got a problem with that? Should I just leave?”

-N-no, not at all! The problem started 30 minutes ago. While mining as usual, we suddenly got warnings about holes in the outer walls, and then staff signals started going dark. Several areas suddenly sealed off or flooded, so I was trying to meet up with nearby staff when that monster suddenly attacked, forcing me to flee to this room.

“No submarine or escape pod?”

-There’s a supply submarine in C-5 sector. But that’s completely opposite from where we are now. With sealed areas we’d have to detour around and those monsters outside, the chances of reaching it…

He didn’t finish his sentence, but the meaning was obvious.

At Jerome’s gloomy voice, Yuseong raised his voice and said.

“Don’t give up before I even try to help. Is your faith really that weak?”

-Angel!

“Yes, yes. It’s not good to make assumptions. Whatever it is, first we should try…”

Beep!

Stepping out of the room, Yuseong froze.

Deep Ones, creatures identical to the one he just defeated, filled the corridor, all staring in his direction.

Looking at these life forms hostile to humans, numbering dozens at a rough estimate, Yuseong muttered unconsciously.

“…Fighting a rock with an egg?”

“Kiiiiii!”

A harmony of mind-piercing shrieks.

Without hesitation, Yuseong threw himself at full speed using Flash Step toward the opposite corridor.