Gacha System: Reborn In The Hardest World
Chapter 52: Mission Briefing

Chapter 52: Mission Briefing

As he was released from the all-too-friendly man’s hold, he sighed while Rowan instead laughed heartily, giving him a pat on the shoulder.

"Astrid, are you going to come greet our new friend here?" Rowan said, looking back towards the woman that lounged in the hot springs.

"Not everybody is as shameless as you when it comes to showing their bodies. I still have some decency," Astrid answered with a quiet breath, laying her head on her arms, though looking right at the newcomer. "I’m Astrid. Norway."

"Oh, Norway?" Gael repeated.

Feeling a bit cold and exposed, he returned to the warm holds of the hot springs, sinking back in.

"So, they’re Heavenly Kings, too?" Gael asked as he settled back in, looking at the boxer.

"Yup," Jae-Seong answered. "Rowan’s a great guy. Don’t worry about Astrid, though–she’s just sorta like that."

Being able to lounge in the healing baths gave him some much needed rest, listening to the bickering between Matteo and Florentine, while Jae-Seong seemed to enjoy it. After soaking for some time, he took his leave from the comforting water, looking down at the wound on his abdomen.

It was completely closed, with only a pale patch of skin to make notice of there ever being a cut.

’They weren’t kidding...That bath works wonders,’ he thought, caressing his abdomen.

Jae-Seong stepped out as well, stretching with a yawn, "Alright, time to go report to the boss."

"Oh, right–I forgot about that," Gael said, glancing at his own body.

As if reading his mind about not wanting to visit the Monarch bare, the robed servants of the healing chambers approached, holding the familiar, black objects for the two men.

"Thanks," he said, retrieving the item.

All he got was a nod before he activated the cube in tandem with Jae-Seong, allowing the dormant uniforms to wrap around their bodies. It dried his body off in the process, granting his body the fresh, wrinkle-free uniform of the Heavenly Kings.

"I wonder where Blythe is," he mumbled, tugging on his glove as it fit perfectly.

"Monarch comes first," Jae-Seong said, leading the way as he tapped the newcomer’s shoulder with his knuckles. "He hates being made to wait."

As he followed the man tenured in the new world through the halls, it began to settle in for him that he was a part of something. There was respect shown from the guards as they passed, not just to Jae-Seong, but to him as well as they each gave nods.

"Good job on the mission, my lords," a royal guard in glistening, silver-and-blue armor said.

Another congratulated the passing Outlanders, "Glory to Galios! Another victory."

’At least this land actually praises people like me. I wonder how the average citizen in Mastorn would look at me,’ he thought.

Still, he had trouble remembering the halls of the royal keep, as all the corridors remained similar. As the hall leading to the throne room was reached, he looked towards the immaculate doors as they parted.

"Let’s go," Jae-Seong said, leading the way in.

"Yeah," he followed.

As always, there was a regal air in the chamber, finding the black lion sleeping peacefully behind the throne. Standing there alongside his newfound comrade, he didn’t feel nearly the same anxiety as his previous times facing the Monarch.

The young sovereign was sitting up already, greeting them without wasting a moment, "I am glad to see you have both returned, with utter victory, I hear."

"The Sevaraid Domain has been reclaimed from Mastorn," Jae-Seong officially informed the ruler. "--As well as one of the Impervious Seven being defeated in combat, Quintus."

"One of the Impervious Seven? That’s no small victory," the Monarch said, touching his chin in thought. "Splendid work, Jae-Seong. And what of our newcomer here?"

Gael remained quiet with his hands behind his back, glancing over at Jae-Seong as he waited for what words would be given. In the presence of a man like the Monarch, nothing short of excellence might land him a one-way ticket to the wildlands.

"When reclaiming the mines, Gael wiped out the soldiers overseeing it, as well as encountering and defeating a Venator Captain in combat," Jae-Seong relayed the outcome. "It was his efforts that halted the exportation of runes, while weakening the Venator forces."

The Monarch took in the news for a moment, keeping his ever watchful eyes on the newcomer before speaking, "I see. That is high praise, Gael. I am impressed."

To his surprise, he watched the Monarch rise from his throne, descending the steps as he approached. Somehow, the ruler of Galios was even more imposing when bringing himself down.

He stood like a statue as the Monarch approached, drawing close as he met eye-to-eye with the sovereign, who placed a hand on his shoulder.

"To bring forth the age of mankind, and to do away with the influence of the gods, your strength will be invaluable. Welcome to the Heavenly Kings, Gael," the Monarch welcomed him, holding his hand to him.

He accepted the gesture from the ruler, being granted with an iron-tight grip, though he responded in kind. It seemed that his show of strength earned a small smile of satisfaction from the Monarch, who withdrew his hand before speaking further.

"As a gesture of goodwill in reclaiming the Sevaraid Domain, Frederick has sent word that he will not only be supplying Galios with more runes, but an armory of magic tools," the Monarch announced as he walked towards his throne.

"What about the Sevaraid domain? What’s stopping Mastorn from sending more people in to reclaim it again?" Gael asked.

The Monarch sat himself back down into the pristine throne, petting the fur of the obsidian beast beside it, "Your concerns are not misplaced. There is not much Sevaraid can do to defend his land from Mastorn, should they attack again. However, the loss of one of the Impervious Seven will likely make them hesitate for the time being."

"Speaking of Mastorn..." Jae-Seong spoke up.

"Go on," the Monarch listened.

"Before he died, Quintus mentioned something–that Mastorn will take Marinus, saying it was "too late", whatever that meant," Jae-Seong relayed.

It was rare to see genuine shock plastered on the face of a man as stalwart as the Monarch, who seemed unsettled by the news.

"Marinus, you say? Are you certain you heard him correctly?" The Monarch asked, placing his hand to his chin in thought.

"I am," Jae-Seong confirmed.

As Gael stood there with the air brimming with newfound tension, he felt left out of the conversation entirely about the unknown topic.

"What’s Marinus anyway? Is it a place?" Gael asked.

The Monarch answered while in thought, "It’s an ancient super-weapon made by the Aquarius. It lays dormant in the Atlantis Sea, though it annihilates any trespassers. That’s its purpose; it keeps those that attempt to come near Atlantis far away. A weapon that single-handedly strikes fear into kingdoms."

"Sounds like a nuke," Gae remarked.

Jae-Seong found the comparison funny, but didn’t reject it, "You’re not far off. Though I’d say Marinus is a whole lot scarier, from what I’ve heard."

"Scarier than a nuke–? What kind of weapon even is it?" Gael questioned.

"A golem," the Monarch answered. "One that dwarves mountains, and possesses a core of nigh endless mana."

From the way the ruler spoke without any room for exaggeration, Gael got the idea of just what sort of troublesome existence the super-weapon was.

"Yeah, that does sound pretty bad," Gael quietly said.

"Once a fleet was sent by Certia, the kingdom renowned for its incomparable strength at sea. Over a thousand ships, carrying with it knights of legend and mages of renown. When that fleet entered the territory of Atlantis, they were simply wiped out without a trace," the Monarch explained.

"Alright, it sounds really, really bad," Gael followed.

The Monarch rose from his throne, "You understand now. We absolutely cannot allow Mastorn to claim Marinus. This requires immediate action. Jae-Seong, gather the Heavenly Kings in the Obsidian Chamber and relay what we’ve discussed here."

"Got it," Jae-Seong said with a playful salute.

"What about–"

Before Gael could relay his thoughts pertaining to Blythe, he was grabbed by Jae-Seong, who transformed into a bolt of light, taking him along for the ride. There was no chance to resist, feeling himself be carried by the absurd speed as the scenery around him was distorted.

"Ghhh!"

He felt his entire face ripple at the incredible g-forces of being carried by the swift man, lasting only a second before coming to a stop. As he was released, he wobbled, stumbling a bit as the room spun around him.

"Gaaah–hey! Warn me when you do that crap!" Gael said, catching his breath as he looked around.

From the throne room, he found himself in an entirely different chamber, built of blackened steel with hieroglyphs carved into the layered flooring.

Jae-Seong clapped his hands together, "Sorry, but when the boss gives an order–he means it!"

"Why do I have to be here? I already know what’s up," Gael said.

"Don’t you want to meet everyone? C’mon, don’t be shy!" Jae-Seong playfully said before heading to the center of the room.