Ascension Through Skills-Chapter 306: Fifth Return to Earth (2)

People quickly read through the new quest notification, and Kim Huiyeon’s face reflected both relief and unease.

"Hmm... So it’s Korea, China, North Korea, and Japan... But are there really any North Korean players left?"

“There hasn’t been a single post from them in the community. I thought they were all gone,” Jung-geun muttered. Kim Huiyeon frowned.

“It’s not terrible... but..."

She noted that Japan was included. As she had frequently communicated with Ichijo Eika, Japan’s leader, they had built a solid relationship and exchanged valuable information. Naturally, this led to a degree of trust and cooperation between them.

But then there was China.

China's players were known for completely ignoring any contact attempts, as if they didn’t consider other nations’ players allies at all.

“At least this time, we know where we need to go.”

Their destination was Mount Baekdu, located between China and North Korea. It wasn’t terribly far, but the real challenge lay elsewhere.

“How are the Japanese players going to get across...?”

If the destination was Mount Baekdu, Japan had no choice but to cross into the mainland, meaning they’d have to traverse the sea.

And that sea was teeming with monsters.

Kim Huiyeon massaged her temples, a headache building.

“We had already discussed it with them, but who knows if it’ll work...”

Since the quest’s location was likely to be centered on the mainland, they had prearranged for the Japanese players to cross the sea to South Korea. But it was uncertain how long it would take or if they’d even succeed. Taesan spoke up.

“I can go help them.”

“You would go, Taesan?”

Momentarily stunned, Kim Huiyeon quickly remembered an interesting bit of information.

“Come to think of it, they did say that Minerva could part the sea...”

The players on Jeju Island had spread stories of how Minerva had split the sea—tales of a godlike power. But even those who revered Taesan as a deity hadn’t fully believed it; parting the sea sounded like a literal miracle.

Taesan nodded.

“I can do it.”

“Oh...”

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Kim Huiyeon’s eyes widened in astonishment.

He could actually part the sea.

It was hard to believe, even hearing it directly from him. Taesan continued.

“I’ll leave Barkhaza and Minerva here and head there myself.”

“Huh? Without Minerva?”

“I can handle it alone, and they need to stay here.”

There was no telling what schemes the ancient gods might attempt, but Minerva and Barkhaza would be enough to fend off most threats.

If a creature strong enough to bypass them appeared, Taesan would feel the disturbance even from across the sea and could respond accordingly.

“You said they’re gathering in Fukuoka? For now, stay here and keep the people organized.”

“Thank you, Taesan.”

Almost before she finished speaking, Taesan vanished. Kim Huiyeon chuckled in disbelief. Even as the strongest in Hard Mode, she couldn’t track his movements—a testament to his monstrous strength.

---

Taesan stepped outside and took off.

---

**[You have activated Acceleration.]**

**[You have activated Leap.]**

---

A thunderous boom accompanied his leap into the sky.

---

---

“Whew...”

Eika wiped the sweat from her brow, pushing forward steadily.

At last, Fukuoka was in sight. After days of fighting monsters, they had finally arrived at their destination.

But none of them looked particularly hopeful.

"Eika, what are we going to do now?”

“Well...”

Their destination was Mount Baekdu, in the mainland. As discussed earlier, they needed to cross from Japan to South Korea first.

The journey they faced was daunting. Even by plane, it was an hour away. Now, they had to rely solely on their own bodies.

“How are we supposed to...?”

Swimming was out of the question.

Monsters roamed the ocean depths. If they tried to cross by swimming, most wouldn’t make it.

“Cursed island nation...”

Eika sighed heavily.

"Do we... need to build a ship?”

They would need sturdy, massive vessels to carry the masses across.

Although Eika didn’t know it, in a previous life, Japan’s players had resorted to this very method.

The time between the fourth and fifth returns had been long enough for the players to build the strength to fend off sea monsters. Although a few intact ships still floated in Fukuoka, none had enough fuel to transport forty thousand players across. So, they had felled trees, smelted iron, and built multiple large ships to cross the ocean.

Hard Mode players had protected these ships from monsters attacking at sea.

It had taken them about half a year.

Even with their superhuman abilities, building functional ships from scratch was no simple feat.

Yet they had no other options. Groaning, Eika finally spoke.

“Let’s reach the port first and assess what we have. We can figure out a plan from there.”

“Understood.”

The group nodded resolutely.

They headed toward the port, prepared for a tough road ahead.

“Look, it’s the ocean.”

Someone muttered as the vast sea appeared on the horizon. There was still a long way to go, but at least they’d reached their first objective.

“...Huh?”

The man leading the group toward the shore suddenly squinted.

“Wait... is that... a person?”

“What?”

At his words, Eika followed his gaze. As she focused, she spotted a figure near the beach.

“...Oh?”

“Hold on... was there someone ahead of us?”

The group hurried toward the figure to get a closer look. Eika’s eyes widened as she realized who it was.

“Taesan...?”

Kang Taesan—the lone-mode player from South Korea—stood there on the shore.

“You’re here. I’ve been waiting for a few days.”

“Why are you here, Taesan?”

“I came to help.”

Taesan’s answer was short. Eika gaped and then asked, stunned.

“Did you... cross the sea by yourself?”

Taesan nodded.

Eika was in awe.

He had crossed the ocean. Alone. His strength was undeniable.

The Japanese players, who had belatedly realized who Taesan was, also felt a mix of admiration and gratitude. He had risked his life crossing the treacherous sea to aid them.

“Thank you, Taesan.”

Eika expressed her gratitude sincerely, her eyes bright with newfound hope.

“With you here, we’ll be able to cross the ocean much faster.”

While Taesan dealt with the sea monsters, they could build ships and head for South Korea without interference.

With his help, the time it would take to build the ships would significantly reduce. They might even reach South Korea in three months.

“No.”

But Taesan spoke firmly.

“We’re going to cross now. Get ready.”

“What? Right now?”

Eika was baffled. Cross the sea immediately? She didn’t think such a thing was possible. Just as she was about to argue, a memory surfaced in her mind.

The Japanese and South Korean players frequently exchanged information on their community boards. With the geographical closeness and similar cultures, they had found solace in sharing.

And a certain story had made the rounds there—so incredible that she had dismissed it as exaggeration.

The rumor claimed that Taesan could part the sea.

Taesan turned his gaze toward the horizon.

The surging waves held no will of their own.

They were mere natural phenomena.

If that was the case...

With conviction, Taesan spoke his command.

“Part.”

**[You have activated Severance.]**

“Huh?”

Eika’s pupils dilated.

The murmuring players fell silent.

“The sea is...”

Eika watched, captivated. So did the rest of them.

Before their eyes, the surface of the ocean split.

From the shoreline to the far horizon, down to the ocean floor, the water separated, forming a pathway.

Floundering fish wriggled in the newly created path.

“...”

No one spoke.

They simply stared at the parted sea in stunned silence.

Then, Taesan took a step forward.

“Let’s go.”

---

---

“O... Oh...”

The Japanese players stumbled forward, tentatively stepping onto the ocean floor.

Every so often, they glanced at the walls of water flanking them, wary they might collapse and swallow them whole.

“I never thought I’d see the ocean floor like this...”

Eika murmured, still dazed.

Parting the sea to create a path—it was nothing short of a miracle.

And the one who performed this miracle was Taesan.

‘Is this really human power?’

Eika felt an eerie reverence creep over her. She knew of Taesan’s strength. When he effortlessly defeated Amelia, his sheer presence had shown her a level of power beyond her reach.

But this was on another level.

He had split the ocean spanning from Japan to South Korea.

“What in the world...?”

She knew that Korean players regarded Taesan as a god.

She understood that Taesan possessed a power that seemed supernatural.

But this surpassed anything she could have imagined.

Taesan’s power defied all understanding.

For other Japanese players, who hadn’t seen Taesan’s abilities in action, the shock was even more profound.

They had heard stories of Taesan’s strength from Korean players in the community, but they had assumed there was a degree of exaggeration.

But no.

If anything, the accounts had been understated.

---

*Rumble!*

Tentacles of sea monsters emerged, thrashing in an attempt to attack. Taesan waved his hand dismissively.

**[You have activated the Distorted Vegetation of Decarabia.]**

---

*Boom!*

Roots erupted from the ocean floor, enveloping the tens of thousands of players

, spearing and crushing the attacking monsters.

“Taesan...”

Reverent whispers began to spread among the crowd. Those seeking something or someone to believe in found their faith in Taesan.

**[Divine Power proficiency has increased by 1%.]**

---

They reached South Korea in mere hours.

Thinking back on the days it took them to reach Fukuoka, this was an unimaginable pace.

They set foot on Korean soil, disoriented, as Taesan led them to Seoul.

It took only a day.

From crossing the ocean to reaching Seoul—it was all completed in a single day.

Naturally, Kim Huiyeon’s eyes went wide when she saw them.

“You’re here already?”

As she marveled in disbelief, she directed the Japanese players to their designated rest areas. Still dazed, they followed her instructions.

Soon, they found their voices and cried out.

“Taesan...!”

“He’s a god! Truly a god!”

They chanted in fervent admiration. Korean players, already accustomed to revering Taesan, joined in, and together they raised prayers of worship.

**[Divine Power proficiency has increased by 1%.]**

**[Divine Power proficiency has increased by 1%.]**

“It’s climbing pretty quickly.”

Taesan murmured to himself. Japan’s player count was ten times that of Korea’s. With so many worshiping him, the rate of proficiency gain in Divine Power accelerated sharply.

He considered that he might reach 60% proficiency during this return.

Minerva, busy handling the monsters, chuckled incredulously.

“You never cease to surprise me, master. Where did you even obtain such a power? That’s not something mortals should possess.”

As a Spirit King, Minerva held knowledge beyond mortal understanding. Taesan’s Command intrigued her immensely.

“I’m not sure.”

He didn’t know either. To find out, he would need to first unravel the mystery of the soul’s ascension, yet even the immortal Green Witch had found no answers.

That understanding would likely come further down the labyrinth.

While Ichijo Eika regained her composure and began discussions with Kim Huiyeon.

As Japan’s leader, she couldn’t afford to remain in awe forever.

“Japan has four hundred fifty thousand survivors. We have a hundred thousand in Hard Mode.”

“That’s ten times our numbers...”

Kim Huiyeon clicked her tongue. She’d heard it before but was still amazed by the sheer count. Eika gave a bitter smile.

“It’s nothing to boast about. Korea’s situation was unique.”

Due to Taesan’s presence, the ancient gods had concentrated their attacks on Korea. As a result, a significant power gap had formed between Korea’s Hard Mode players and Japan’s.

“So... now...”

“Yes.”

Kim Huiyeon nodded.

“We face the biggest challenge yet.”

This was a joint quest requiring all designated countries’ players to gather in one location.

And that meant facing China’s players at Mount Baekdu, whom they’d had no contact with until now.

“How many Chinese players survived?”

How many survived? What was their attitude? Were they hostile to outsiders?

They had no way of knowing.

But they would proceed anyway.

Two days later, after intergroup discussions and fostering some level of camaraderie, they set out.

Their destination: Mount Baekdu.