Chapter 37: The World After the Prologue (2)
***As they drew closer to North Manchuria, the scenery outside the truck began to change.The seemingly endless plains came to an end, giving way to mountains and rivers.On the mountain range, which was just a bit bigger than the hills, coniferous trees formed sparse forests. Thin ice floated on the meandering river that flowed along the mountains, and the cold air stung the nose.Only then did it feel that they were truly getting close to Siberia."We’re almost there. Come on, everyone, wake up! Final weapon check before the mission!"Tian Lin's voice reached Yeomyeong’s ears as he was taking in the scenery. When he turned his head, he saw that Tian Lin was already fully armed.Like the other mercenaries who were just waking up, Yeomyeong also took out his weapon bag without complaint.The Remington MH750 and grenades provided by Jang Man, and the three steel swords supplied by the mercenary group.Although they were all close combat weapons, none of the other mercenaries bothered to point that out.After all, the newcomer wouldn’t have any opportunity to fire a gun during a support mission for the expedition. It was enough that the experienced mercenaries carried guns.Just as all the mercenaries had finished arming themselves and the military truck began to decelerate…...?Yeomyeong felt his senses plummeting. No, his reality stretched long.The sound of the military truck’s engine and Vice Captain Kim Mansoo’s retching grew faint, as if coming from a distant place.What’s this...He tried to draw his mana, but his mind had long since detached from his body.Shaaa—Amidst the expanded reality, a shadow surged forth.It was a primordial shadow that swallowed even starlight in the night sky, and at the same time… it was a familiar shadow....Mignium?Yeomyeong called out her name before he realized it. However, there was no response.The shadow silently enveloped his spirit and lifted him.He soared high above the expanded world, with his spirit separated from his body. Everything below started to become distant.The military truck was the first to become distant. Followed by the mountain range of Manchuria, and finally, the Korean Peninsula became distant.Eventually, once he soared high enough to reach the stars, a voice flowed from within the shadows. 『My Chosen One.』
It was a desirous voice, detached from reality. Only then did Yeomyeong realize this was all a dream.
And not just any dream, but Mignium’s dream. 『Look over there.』
Heeding the shadow, Yeomyeong looked west. The first thing that caught his eye was the United States.
The land of supermen, the victor of the Cold War, the strongest human nation.However, the place was shrouded in darkness. Only one source of light could be seen—a small, glimmering orb deep within Washington. 『Can you feel it?』
Yeomyeong couldn’t tell what that light orb was, but he nodded.
Even in the expanded world, he could vividly feel the light orb from that distant land, as if it were within reach. 『Now, find the next orb.』
