Chapter 76
1.
When Kim Seojun opened his eyes, he was greeted by an unfamiliar ceiling.
Of course, Kim Seojun wasn't surprised.
For a Space Marine, passing out and waking up to an unfamiliar ceiling was a very good sign.
And to be lying on a bed instead of a dirt floor?
It was safe to call this paradise.
So Kim Seojun didn't tense up; he just closed his eyes again and waited.
For a Comrade to come.
"Seojun!"
And just as expected, not long after, Noah Winston appeared, and Kim Seojun opened his eyes.
"Thank you for the rescue."
At that response, Noah Winston chuckled and said.
"It feels really weird getting thanked by the guy who hunted a Behemoth. Well, let's celebrate first."
Noah Winston clapped her hands, and Kim Seojun also gave a faint smile at that.
It was well-deserved.
'I hunted a Behemoth.'
Regardless of the process, Kim Seojun had hunted the Behemoth, a nightmare for Humanity and, furthermore, for Space.
This was a massive achievement.
Something that would make all of Humanity cheer.
It wasn't an exaggeration; it was actually true.
In the past, when news of a Behemoth Hunt was announced, all Humans on Earth as well as in Space cheered.
"You did something amazing. Now all that's left is for you to become a hero."
Naturally, those who hunted a Behemoth became heroes who would go down in Humanity's history.
Noah Winston was like that.
Hawk Eye's reputation was already great, but it was a Behemoth Hunt that made her the representative Psycher Agent of America.
"So get ready for autograph sessions soon."
"Autograph sessions?"
"You didn't know?"
Noah Winston said.
"This is Earth."
As she spoke, Noah Winston beamed.
"Seojun, you just woke up after 10 days. During that time, we secured the Core Cube and came to Earth."
Seeing the bright, radiant smile she wore as she spoke, Kim Seojun smiled faintly and replied.
"You really are good at acting."
He knew this was a lie.
"Was it obvious?"
"I've watched all the movies you've been in, Ms. Winston."
"Ah, I forgot you were a fan of mine."
It wasn't simply because Kim Seojun knew her acting.
"And if we had really gone to Earth, you wouldn't be so happy about it."
In Kim Seojun's eyes, returning to Earth right now was by no means a hopeful event.
"Because you gave that kind of answer right away to this nonsense, it seems your mind is perfectly fine. That's a relief."
Noah Winston's thoughts were the same.
"Just like you said, Seojun, if we go back to Earth, there will only be headaches."
Returning to Earth was definitely a joyous thing.
Being able to see one's family was the happiest thing.
That was even more true for Kim Seojun.
However, in the current situation, returning to Earth didn't mean everything was over.
Given what China had just done, the situation on Earth couldn't be seen as good either.
No, rather, it was just the beginning.
In a situation without Doctor Space, with the one who had enforced order upon Humanity in Space now gone, would Humanity in Space really stay quiet?
It wasn't just China.
China had caused this incident, but China wasn't the only one with the desire to dominate Space.
Every Nation wanted to increase what it had through war and violence.
More accurately, the people in power of those nations desired it.
Kim Seojun's situation was relatively better, but for Brigadier General Lee Yeong-Jun or Noah Winston, it was like being sucked into the vortex of war.
Of course, that didn't mean they wouldn't go to Earth.
They would go home.
By any means and methods necessary.
"How long was I passed out?"
"35 hours."
"What's the situation?"
"First off, the Resistance kids are on their way to evacuate to the Chinese First Headquarters. They'll probably arrive in about two days. And the rest of the members are on the move to retrieve the Core Cube; the Alien Guy is meditating; and I'm currently guarding the greatest VIP."
It was around then.
"Uh, oh."
Noah Winston, who had been talking, fiddled with the earpiece in her ear and said.
"Perfect timing. The Core Cube is here."
2.
The external appearance of the Core Cube wasn't all that unique.
"This is the Core Cube?"
No, rather, it was very featureless.
"It just looks like a lump of iron."
It was a cube made of steel, about the size of a compact car.
"To think Humanity's fate rests on this."
However, the value of that Core Cube was greater than anything Humanity had ever created.
"So, can you operate this?"
"Hold on a second."
And currently, in the Space where Gate 7 was located, Jo I-Hyeon was the only one who could handle this Core Cube.
"I think it'll take a little time."
Jo I-Hyeon began to investigate the Core Cube in earnest, and around that time, Kim Seojun's Group was able to take a rest for the first time in a while.
Of course, it was impossible to fully enjoy that rest.
Everyone had a lot on his or her mind.
"Private First Class Park."
"Private First Class Park Boseop!"
"What are you going to do when you go to Earth, Private First Class Park?"
"I don't really know, sir. Do you have any plans, Brigadier General?"
"I don't really know either, but I'll probably head out to the battlefield anyway. This commotion isn't just happening here. Major Lee Hyena is involved too."
Everyone here, except for Jo I-Hyeon, was a Soldier.
"Maybe a mobilization order has been issued."
Even if they weren't Soldiers, if the situation was serious, they could be forcibly conscripted.
"I just hope everything is intact, whatever happens."
Crucially, the possibility that Earth's situation was very bad wasn't zero.
Of course, those worries didn't last long.
"E-Excuse me!"
Jo I-Hyeon, who had been touching the Core Cube, spoke up.
"It's working!"
She had succeeded in creating a Gate using the Core Cube, and everyone was surprised by that fact.
To think even this was possible!
"But."
However, one always has to listen to a person's words until the end.
"There's no place catching the signal right now."
"Signal?"
"The thing is, two Gates need to interact with each other to be able to go there, but right now, no signal is coming from anywhere."
"Then what happens if we go through the Gate in that state?"
"We'll go somewhere, though I don't know where that is."
At those words, no one was greatly surprised or anything.
They weren't discouraged either.
It was a scenario they had already mulled over several times even before securing the Core Cube, one they had been expecting.
"I-Hyeon, don't be too discouraged. They'll give a signal someday. They won't keep it closed forever, right? Just having it run properly is huge. Isn't it?"
Rather, everyone felt at ease.
Furthermore, it wasn't like the people here had nothing to do right now.
"Let's help the people on other planets and gather them here in preparation for when the signal comes. How about it?"
There was still a lot of work to do, and that too was very important work.
Because right now, Kim Seojun's Group were about the only ones who could save Humanity on the Planets around Gate 7.
They had to gather them on the safest planet, Kingclench, and prepare for the future.
That alone would keep them incredibly busy for a while.
"There is a way."
"Huh?"
In that situation, Kim Seojun spoke.
"There is a way to go to Earth."
At those words, everyone looked at Kim Seojun.
With surprised eyes
"Hey."
Then Noah Winston chuckled and said.
"Are you throwing my joke back at me like this?"
When the rest of them looked at Noah Winston at those words, she immediately explained.
"When Seojun woke up, I did a little acting, telling him this was Earth."
At that explanation, everyone made an 'Ah' sound.
So they thought Kim Seojun was playing a prank.
Of course, up until now, Kim Seojun hasn't played those kinds of pranks in front of his Comrades very often.
Even so, the reason they thought that was simple.
Going to Earth in this situation could only be a joke.
Of course, everyone soon read the room.
What did it mean that Kim Seojun wasn't grinning and saying, 'Yes, it's a joke!' here?
Kim Seojun always managed to pull off something unbelievable.
Just a few hours ago, Kim Seojun had gone into the Behemoth's mouth and had come back out, taking a trip that no one in Humanity had ever experienced.
"…Uh."
At that point, everyone's expressions changed.
They stiffened.
Then, amidst those expressions, Private First Class Park Boseop asked on behalf of everyone.
"S-Staff Sergeant Kim, i-is it true?"
At those words, Kim Seojun nodded.
At that moment, everyone fell into a deep silence.
For a moment, everyone's thought processes just froze.
After that, they began to agonize over it.
"So you're saying we just go whoosh, and we're on Earth?"
"To be exact, we can go to Earth as well."
"As well?"
"We can go to one of the planets I've visited, meaning one of 12 planets."
"…I have no idea how that's possible, but one thing is for sure. Even if we go, it's going to be a mess, because if we suddenly appear on Earth with a whoosh, everyone will freak out."
In particular, the most headache-inducing part was the aftermath that would occur when they went to Earth.
Naturally, from the perspective of those on Earth, they would inevitably be surprised if Kim Seojun's Group arrived without a Gate.
No, beyond merely surprising, this was bound to be an event that could change the history of Humanity.
"If things go well, we'll be saviors, and if they don't, we'll become aliens targeting Earth."
If his abilities became known, someone would worship Kim Seojun as a god, and someone else would treat him as a demon.
That was the species known as humans.
Of course, Kim Seojun had thought of that too.
He guessed that if they went to Earth and their identities were revealed, a headache-inducing, very big problem would arise.
"That is not a reason to worry."
However, that couldn't be a reason not to go to Earth.
"We just have to hide our identities."
He had a solution for that in his own way.
Of course, it wasn't like there were no other worries besides that.
There were many.
However, the moment he heard Jo I-Hyeon's words a little while ago, Kim Seojun put all those worries aside.
He only thought of one thing.
"The important thing is that we have to go to Earth and activate the Gate there so it connects with this place."
First, let's connect Gate 7 and the Earth Gate.
No one could refute those words.
Because it was the right answer.
"Problems might arise."
Above all, Kim Seojun said.
"But we won't die."
No matter what situation came, he and his Comrades wouldn't die on Earth.
When they heard those words, his comrades didn't worry anymore either.
Just as Kim Seojun said, if a problem erupted, they could just deal with it then.
"Anyone who wants to stay here may stay."
"Hey, you're talking nonsense."
And honestly, everyone wanted to go.
"We have to go, unconditionally."
Earth is the place that is home to all humans.
There were no more questions after that.
Everyone wanted to return to Earth, and to do that, there was only one thing they had to do.
"Then I will wrap things up."
The work was finished so that the Gate here could be activated at any time.
That wasn't difficult.
The Resistance was coming to the Chinese First Headquarters, and they just had to ask them.
Saving humanity on other planets was something that could easily be done after the Gate was activated.
And that entire process went smoothly.
Lieutenant Colonel Hikari, the representative of the Resistance, didn't ask unnecessary questions when she heard the situation.
Because she had experienced it.
The marvelous abilities that Kim Seojun's Group had shown were impressive.
Above all, Kim Seojun's Group had just eliminated the massive disaster known as the Behemoth.
She didn't know the method, but it didn't matter.
"Leave it to us."
Right now, in order for them to survive, following Kim Kim Kim Seojun's Group's words unconditionally is the only thing that matters.
Thus, the handover was completed, and when everything was finished, Kim Seojun moved without hesitation.
"Use Warp Skill."
[Currently, there are 11 planets available for travel.]
"Earth."
[Would you like to travel to Earth?]
At that notification, Kim Seojun answered.
"Travel."
At that moment, Kim Seojun's world was dyed black.
3.
Everything happened in an instant.
A darkness more pitch-black than Space arrived, and then the darkness vanished.
In the blink of an eye.
Afterwards, what greeted Kim Seojun was none other than a world covered in snow.
A pure white world.
However, Kim Seojun didn't admire that world.
Because there was something more important.
"Inventory."
He immediately opened his Inventory, and soon after entering it, Kim Seojun could see them.
"Huh? What?"
His Comrades.
"Did something happen?"
Those Comrades were surprised by Kim Seojun's appearance.
They exchanged their final goodbyes a moment ago.
It was because not even 30 seconds had passed since then.
To those Comrades, Kim Seojun said.
"We have arrived on Earth."
They were already here.
At those words, everyone made a surprised expression.
Among them was he as well.
[Oh, Jumara.]
Kasaknat also couldn't hide his surprise the moment he heard those words.
[To truly pass through space and time!]
"Really?"
Of course, along with their surprise, everyone threw out questions, and the answer to those questions couldn't be given in words.
Kim Seojun brought everyone outside.
And everyone could see it.
The world is covered in pure white snow.
"Here!"
In that world, Jo I-Hyeon said.
"It's the South Pole! This is the Antarctic Treaty Monument!"
In front of Jo I-Hyeon was a symbol with a single crystal ball attached to the top of a pole.
Among the countless planets existing in space, there was a symbol that existed solely on Earth.
Upon that fact, everyone paused for a moment.
They thrilled at the fact that they had finally returned to Earth.
And amidst that thrill, one person opened his mouth.
"Uh?"
Private First Class Park Boseop said.
"E-Excuse me."
"What is it?"
"I-It sounds like an auditory hallucination, but, well, I hear a sound."
After pausing for a moment and listening a little closer, Private First Class Park Boseop spoke with a pale face.
"It sounds like a Mogdog."