Choi Kangjoong’s situation was completely different from the worries of Guildmaster Kang Sungpyo, Choi Yunseo, and Han Junghwa.
It was just a snap of the fingers.
He killed one Orc Great Boss and left everything else to Apocalid.
Apocalid, following its instincts, tore apart, ripped, and crushed the Orcs.
Thanks to the rise in its species evolution stage, a single Walker could easily take on five Orcs.
Needless to say, the Scouts and Warriors handled themselves as well.
A thousand even went against the Cannon Giant, but it trampled them all with its massive weight and overwhelming strength.
Even if they died, more Apocalids emerged from the Soil Pit, so the Orc Tide simply melted away.
“The Orcs aren’t coming anymore.”
There were various ways the Orcs invaded.
Sometimes they opened a Gate like now, and other times they shifted dimensions.
It was absurd, but the collective unconscious that desired a great war made it possible.
It was similar to the grand magic that Iselin and the Elves performed.
For the Elves, rigorous training and unified will were required, while Orcs needed no such process, as they thought of nothing else.
“And no sign of Dimension Ships, either.”
In a similar way, they sometimes created Dimension Ships to cross into other dimensions.
When there were many Orcs, thousands of ships could gather together.
“Is it already over?”
Choi Kangjoong felt disappointed.
He’d been all smiles, planning to fight for a long time and earn nutrients and Evolution Points.
“If they won’t come, then I’ll just go find them.”
Conveniently, the Hydra Sea was near the Kraken Sea.
Choi Kangjoong sent a Skyeye Giant toward the Hydra Sea.
He could vaguely see flashes and rumbling in the distance.
“When that fight ends, a massive number of Orcs will rush elsewhere, right?”
That was a trait of Orcs.
They’d fight among themselves, then unite under one Orc, and set off to find the next battle.
Their next destination could be a Demon, or Earth, or even Marsala.
“It’s better to stop them before that.”
True Healing meant eradicating the source of damage, and the best defense was always offense.
Having decided on his next target, Choi Kangjoong reverse-summoned Apocalid.
“When you’ve devoured all dimensions of the Kraken Sea, head to the Hydra Sea.”
“Kuong.”
Suddenly, a Gate opened, and people burst through.
The first was Han Junghwa, then Choi Yunseo, and finally Guildmaster Kang Sungpyo.
‘Yunseo? That’s Dawn Guild!’
The three looked around in all directions.
“I heard tens of thousands of Orcs came. But I don’t see a single one.”
“They’re not even showing up on detection magic.”
Han Junghwa and Choi Yunseo were flustered.
Guildmaster Kang Sungpyo calmly assessed the situation.
‘Did the Harpy Slayer take care of everything? In such a short time?’
One question followed another.
Yet there was only one thing to be concluded from the scene.
One Hunter had killed at least fifty thousand Orcs, including the Great Boss.
How didn’t matter.
With the Dimension System, even the impossible became possible.
It was better to focus on the results before their eyes.
‘I must recruit him!’
Contrary to his thoughts, Guildmaster Kang Sungpyo couldn’t open his mouth.
It was because of Choi Kangjoong’s aura.
‘Is he really human…?’
The stronger you become, the more you perceive.
As an S-Class Hunter and Guildmaster of the Dawn Guild, Kang Sungpyo’s insight was especially keen.
‘I can’t hear a heartbeat. Is he not even breathing? More importantly…’
Choi Kangjoong’s body looked far too small compared to his soul.
Something enormous and overwhelming was curled up inside him.
It felt as though it might burst out and devour everything at any moment.
Guildmaster Kang Sungpyo’s hair stood on end.
It was an instinctive fear brought on by facing something beyond comprehension.
He barely suppressed the urge to draw his sword.
“I am Kang Sungpyo, leader of the Dawn Guild. May I ask your name?”
Guildmaster Kang Sungpyo seemed eager to recruit him to the guild, so Choi Kangjoong hesitated whether to give his real name.
‘No. I want to tease Yunseo a bit.’
The urge to tease a younger sibling was an instinct engraved in any older brother’s DNA.
He wanted to hide it and then suddenly reveal himself for a surprise.
He also had a good name to use instead.
“Outer Mind.”
“That’s quite… a unique name.”
“Just call me Outer.”
He considered using honorifics, but decided to speak casually.
He figured if he spoke formally, Iselin would feel unfair.
A silence fell.
Choi Kangjoong was not much of a talker, and Guildmaster Kang Sungpyo didn’t know what to say.
“Guildmaster, what are you doing?”
Han Junghwa stepped forward.
Her fingertips trembled ever so slightly.
Even someone like her, who could control every muscle fiber, saw the same thing Guildmaster Kang Sungpyo did.
Yet she suppressed her primal fear and mustered up her courage.
“Even if we’re different species, you gave us important intel and stopped the Orcs. That makes you an ally.”
“Y-yes. Here’s my card.”
Guildmaster Kang Sungpyo handed over a black business card.
It was a Black Card, given only to people of great importance, not just passed around as a formality.
“I’ll get straight to the point. I’d like to invite you to join the Dawn Guild. The terms are, of course, equal to S-Class, and we will accommodate anything you want.”
An invitation from the Dawn Guild.
It was like a dream come true for Choi Kangjoong.
To receive it directly from the guildmaster himself.
He was an S-Class swordsman who had lifted the Dawn Guild into the ranks of the three great guilds.
Aside from Choi Kangjoong, he was the only man in Korea who could wield the Aura Blade.
‘If I join the Dawn Guild, my parents will be thrilled.’
Just imagining him and his sister entering the Dawn Guild together would have them dancing with joy.
He could get support for every aspect of daily life—housing, meals—so his life as Choi Kangjoong would be much more comfortable.
But there were also things that would tie him down.
The Dawn Guild emphasized the Noblesse Oblige of the Hunter, who were like a noble class.
‘I’ll put off my decision. I should hear offers from other guilds too.’
Since he could control Apocalid while acting as Choi Kangjoong, there was no rush.
Besides, he didn’t particularly want to join.
If it was just temporary work or requests, maybe, but the idea of mixing with so many people made him uncomfortable.
“I’ll think about it.”
“If you decide, please contact us anytime. I would really like to work with you, Outer.”
Guildmaster Kang Sungpyo stepped back politely, leaving the door open without offending him.
“Can I ask you one thing?”
Han Junghwa asked.
Now that they could communicate, her fear faded and curiosity took its place.
“What’s your class? Swordsman? Mage? Or maybe Spirit Summoner or Summoner?”
“I’m not a Spirit Summoner.”
He was a Swordsman, a Mage, and a Summoner all at once, so he gave a vague answer.
“I’m Han Junghwa. Do you know me?”
“I do.”
“I thought so. I am a bit famous, after all.”
Choi Kangjoong was, in fact, an internet ghost.
For someone like him not to know Han Junghwa would be strange.
“Let’s be friends. I like strong people. Oh, right. Not a person, huh.”
Han Junghwa extended a hand for a handshake.
Pleased by her goodwill, Choi Kangjoong took her hand.
Her palm was covered with calluses.
‘She didn’t just get strong by awakening.’
How much sweat must she have shed to reach this point.
‘I need to work even harder. Need to devour more Orcs.’
Han Junghwa introduced Choi Yunseo.
Choi Yunseo’s wary expression amused him.
It was a face he hadn’t seen in a long time.
Choi Kangjoong greeted Choi Yunseo, full of playful mischief.
Awkward, but not an unpleasant atmosphere.
“Do you have a business card or number? Or maybe SNS?”
Han Junghwa asked.
“Nope.”
“Well, that would be weird if you did. If you ever get a phone, let me know your number.”
As she grew used to Choi Kangjoong’s vibe, Han Junghwa realized he resembled certain types of people.
Those who don’t chase worldly desires and devote themselves to a single goal.
He seemed like her kind—determined to reach the pinnacle of the sword.
That made her even more proactive.
Since Choi Kangjoong, or Outer Mind, knew nothing but hunger, Han Junghwa’s intuition was right.
“Or do you want to use our guild phone? I just need to change a few settings.”
“Han Junghwa! That’s confidential.”
“Don’t be so uptight. You can use this like a cell phone.”
Han Junghwa handed over a device similar to a smartphone, but bigger and thicker.
It was longer-lasting and sturdier than an ordinary smartphone.
Guildmaster Kang Sungpyo didn’t stop her.
If this helped them get closer, the chances of him joining the Dawn Guild would only increase.
“We call it the Dawnphone. Keep it, and contact us if you get bored or need anything.”
Han Junghwa waved and stepped through the Gate.
“Sorry about that. She does as she pleases.”
Guildmaster Kang Sungpyo apologized on her behalf.
Choi Kangjoong wasn’t offended.
It felt like I, chosen by E.
“It’s fine.”
“Thank you for accepting it.”
Guildmaster Kang Sungpyo still found Choi Kangjoong intimidating.
Choi Yunseo bowed and left for Earth with the guildmaster.
“Better get home quickly.”
Choi Kangjoong wanted nothing more than to return to his cozy, comfortable room.
He imagined connecting his home and this place directly.
“Why won’t it work? Is it because there’s no Apocalid there?”
But the Outer Mind of the Dimension War had created Gates even in places without Apocalid.
Choi Kangjoong tried again.
He gathered his Source Energy and focused his mind.
“Work. Work. Work. Work.”
Source Energy trembled.
He felt like he was just a bit short.
Swoosh.
Source Energy flowed out, and a Gate opened.
Crossing over, he found himself in a park near his apartment complex.
“There we go. Of course it works. Still, it’s much harder than opening a Gate where there’s Apocalid.”
Choi Kangjoong slipped home without attracting attention.
As Choi Kangjoong had warned, the Demon of Chaos attacked the 6th Dimension Fortress.
Countless Monsters crossed the dimensional boundary, but the fortress wall was not breached.
-We express our deepest gratitude to Outer Mind for his great help.
Through Guildmaster Kang Sungpyo’s interview, Choi Kangjoong’s exploits became known.
Having blocked tens of thousands of Orcs and even foiled Disorder’s plan, his astonishing achievement earned him the title of Outerseat, and he was praised.
-Is Korea getting another S-Class?
-They said he’s a different race.
-Not human, apparently.
-Hey. If he speaks Korean and wears Korean clothes, he’s Korean. Anyway, Korean.
-But his clothes aren’t from Earth?
-If you wear similar clothes for 50 years, it’s hanbok.
-That’s right.
ᅳᄋᄌᄋᄌ
-If it wasn’t for Outerseat, I’d have quit ranked games. Love you, bro.
-Amazing. I heard the liberator of the Kraken Sea also beat up a pirate crew alone. Are they the same person?
-It takes months to get from the Kraken Sea to here, though?
-Iselin came back, didn’t she?
-Iselin used the Gate the Elves opened.
-Is the princess your friend?
Choi Kangjoong, browsing Dimension Net, let out a chuckle.
All those reactions were like light and salt to an internet attention-seeker.
He lost track of time, reading comments for hours, when a notification popped up.
[You have devoured all dimensions in one sea region.]
All dimensions of the Kraken Sea had become Apocalid dimensions, united as one.
It was now the Apocalid’s main base.
At over 10km, it was big enough to produce even the smaller members of the Supertitan Class.
[You have acquired Evolution Points.]
[Total Evolution Points: 2,267,831]
The sea-region devouring bonus was one million points.
Not a lot, but not a little, either—the real bonus was yet to come.
[Select your species evolution direction.]
[1. Proliferation: Increases Apocalid production efficiency.]
[2. Devour: Increases Evolution Point acquisition.]
[3. Absorption: Allows Evolution Code synthesis.]