Gacha System: Reborn In The Hardest World
Chapter 53: No Rest For The Wicked

Chapter 53: No Rest For The Wicked

As he watched his comrade, he realized the chamber resembled the one from Blythe’s mansion; the crystalline tree sprouting in the middle, in which Jae-Seong placed his hand. It began to hum, emitting a spectral glow as lapis particles scattered from the mystical branches.

"Alright–step back," Jae-Seong said with a confident smile. "Transport: Heavenly Kings!"

Like the rising sun, the mystical tree flashed its blinding lights. The walls rumbled briefly before the shine faded, breaking down into glistening particles.

All shared the same, black uniform—

Of course, he recognized two: Rowan with a build that almost made his pecs almost burst through the shirt; Astrid who he discovered was hardly half of Rowan’s height, tapping her black fingernails together.

There were two others he hadn’t met: a dark-skinned man with slicked-back hair with a pierced bottom lip and a slender build.

The last of the Heavenly Kings was a pale woman with long, curly, lavender hair. It was somewhat difficult to see her face as a massive witch hat sat on her head.

"What’s this about? I was eating my lunch," Astrid coldly asked.

The woman in the tall hat yawned, "I was—ahhh, napping..."

Jae-Seong clapped his hands, addressing the room, "Oh—before that! Gael, you met Rowan and Astrid already."

"Yup...I definitely did," Gael said, remembering the all-too-close embrace with the muscle-bound man.

The dark-skinned man with verdant irises stepped forward, "Jaxon. From Britain."

Following up, the woman in the large hat twirled her curly strand around her finger, "Esmeralda, France."

It seemed like a normal tradition for Outlanders to announce their country of origin after their name.

He followed, "Gael, United States."

Jaxon remarked, "Sounds about right."

"What’s that mean?" Gael asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Your accent," Esmeralda answered with a quiet laugh, covering her mouth.

"My accent—wait, I have one?!" Gael asked in surprise.

Jae-Seong laughed, "’Course you do! Anyway, this isn’t everyone."

"It isn’t?" Gael said, finding the chamber already feeling a bit dense.

Rowan spoke up, "Oh, yeah! Those two are still on their mission!"

"Just tell us what you gathered us for, Jae," Astrid impatiently said, staring daggers at the boxer.

Rowan spoke up with a hearty laugh, "Must you always be so short, Astrid? Patience is a virtue, they say."

"Short? I can show you short," Astrid said, holding her hand out as pitch-black, astral roses manifested around her arm.

A laugh boomed from Rowan’s mouth as the air around him vibrated, "Is that so? Go ahead!"

Jaxon sighed, caught between the two, "If you’re going to be at each other’s necks, best steer clear of me."

At the snap of the British man’s fingers, a pale flame flickered in his hand.

There was palpable tension in the chamber bearing the mana tree. He almost felt left out, though found himself thankful for that.

Jae-Seong intervened, clapping his hands, "Alright, alright—enough of that. We’ve got business to handle, and we’re not leaving a good impression for the new guy!"

Somehow or another, the tension that made the chamber rumble dissipated. Just like that, everyone calmed down, standing there as if they weren’t a moment from throwing down a second prior.

’...These are my new comrades, huh? Galios has worn off on them,’ he observed.

At the very least, they seemed to respect Jae-Seong when it mattered, even if other words were exchanged.

"Alright, we’ve received intel that Mastorn is targeting the super-weapon, Marinus, in the Atlantis Ocean. I don’t need to tell any of you what happens if they gain control of something like that," Jae-Seong relayed the information.

Gael could feel the air shift in the chamber as they all learned the situation. The direness of it was immediately understood by all, further cementing it for himself.

Rowan spoke up, folding his arms over his burly chest, "Is that possible? Marinus is a weapon of the sea folk. It’s assumed only their kind have control over it."

"Maybe the greedy tossers just want to conquer the ocean," Jaxon added, shrugging.

"We have to act under the assumption they have found a way of controlling it. Since if they do gain it, it’s a "Game Over" scenario for us," Jae-Seong explained.

From the lack of retorts through the chamber, it seemed as if everyone was on the same understanding.

"Do we know what kind of force they’ve deployed for this mission?" Astrid asked.

"Nope," Jae-Seong answered. "If I had to assume, there’s definitely knights involved—Venator, too. We’ll wait for the Monarch’s word."

As the group was debriefed on the situation, the impromptu meeting was finished. He watched them begin to leave, though was approached by the brawny man.

Rowan sighed, "Apologies, that’s not a fine example of this group. Disagreements are healthy, though, and it always works out in the end."

"Don’t worry about it. I’m just glad I’m not alone in this situation. I mean, being sent to another world like this, y’know?" Gael said, rubbing his own head.

"You’re completely right. It’s not an easy adjustment. Certainly not when half the world wants you dead. Listen, if you ever need to talk, I’m available. Think of me like a big brother!" Rowan offered, tapping his fist against his chest.

The idea of thinking of another grown man as a "big brother" certainly wasn’t on his mind. Still, he appreciated the offer.

"Thanks, Rowan. I’m glad to be welcome here," Gael relayed his gratitude.

Rowan almost seemed on the verge of tears as he suddenly brought the newcomer in for a bear hug, "Of course you’re welcome!"

"Ghh—?!"

The man with spiky, dark-red hair held the hug, lifting the newcomer off his feet before setting him down. As he regained his breath from having it squeezed out of him, the man’s hand ruffled his hair as if he were a kid.

"Ha-ha! I’ll treat you to dinner sometime. I know the best places in Galios!" Rowan said before heading towards the exit of the chamber. "Until then!"

As he fixed his hair, he sighed, finding that it was just him and Jae-Seong left in the chamber.

"Seriously, that guy," Gael complained as he combed his hair with his hand, straightening it out again.

"That’s just how he is," Jae-Seong said with a snicker, as if expecting that sort of meeting. "He’s a great guy. There’s nobody more reliable among us than him. He’ll always be there to help."

"I can tell," Gael said before side-eyeing his comrade. "This group though..."

"Yeah, it’s a rowdy bunch," Jae-Seong laughed.

"Well, guess I oughta go find Blythe," Gael said, stepping towards the chamber’s exit.

"Oh, hold on–how about I give you a lift?" Jae-Seong offered.

Gael immediately shook his head and waved his hands in rejection, "That again? Hell no–"

"No, not that," Jae-Seong chuckled, tapping his hand against the azure tree. "I’ll teleport you. If Blythe is within the city, then it can take you right to her."

"Oh? That sounds pretty convenient. Are you supposed to use it like that?" He asked, stepping towards the mystical tree, looking towards its glowing branches.

Jae-Seong smiled, "Not exactly, but who’s counting?"

"...Well, okay," Gael said.

"Alright, then! Get ready, and–" Jae-Seong commanded. "Teleport: Blythe!"

Immediately, a sense of weightlessness overtook Gael’s body as the light engulfed his vision. It was a strange sensation, as if passing through a shapeless void, being catapulted all within a single moment before–

"Ahh–"

He stumbled, finding the scenery immediately changed as he caught his footing, releasing a quiet breath. It was a familiar place; the beige, marble walls of the room given to the two.

Though, it was certainly a different part of the room within the exuberant castle—the bathing quarters.

"Gael—?!" Blythe reacted.

In the steamy room that smelled of lavender, he discovered the silver-haired girl in the midst of a bathing ritual. That is, a complete lack of clothes.

"My bad, my bad—!" He quickly turned himself around, though the image was already burned into his mind.

["Well, it’s good to see she’s fine."]