Chapter 345: The Choice (4)

Chapter 345: The Choice (4)

The situation was dire, and much time had passed, yet no one left the meeting. It turned out that everyone was waiting for Gi-Gyu. When he appeared, everyone stood up and greeted him. Gi-Gyu then raised his hand to ask everyone to sit down.

For the first time, Gi-Gyu wasnt acting like a bystander. None of them had seen him act like this before. Usually, he would listen to reports and make decisions based on the plans others had suggested, after doing his due diligence, of course. He used to act passively, but something was different now.

He has changed. Everyone in the meeting could feel the difference in his eyes now. They looked sharper and steely. No one in the room was stupid enough not to recognize this change.

Thank you all for waiting, Gi-Gyu announced as he took the seat of honor. Devising this plan must have taken a lot of your time and tedious discussions, so I apologize for abruptly changing it.

Gi-Gyu looked at each one of them. His eyes looked hard as a rock. I have to change everything about the plan.

Pardon? Sung-Hoon whispered in anticipation.

I will send no one to the Towers basement, Gi-Gyu announced.

What?! Michael gasped. Gi-Gyus family and Soo-Jung were in the Towers basement.

This cant be! Tao Chen exclaimed.

There was no guarantee that his family was there, but they were surely last seen there. Gi-Gyu was well aware of this fact, which was why everyone had thought Gi-Gyu would prioritize going there.

So how could he now decide that he wouldnt send anyone there?

My understanding is that whoever is sent to the basement will end up lost in the dimension fragments. Correct? asked Gi-Gyu.

...

This means we have no idea how long it would take us to find the dimension with Soo-Jung And possibly Kronos.

Everyone already knew this. They had planned to send in several groups, each tasked with entering and exploring a dimension. They would all work simultaneously until they found the right dimension.

Ive decided on a different plan. Gi-Gyu stood up, indicating that his decision was final. Ill go alone to help Haures.

...!

Before anyone could say anything, Gi-Gyu continued, The rest of the available soldiersGi-Gyu grabbed the table's edges with both handswill set out to find Gehenna.

***

Many believed Gehenna was just a mythical detention center for players who had committed serious crimes. Apparently, it had many systems in place to prevent players from escaping.

There used to be another man-made prison for player criminals like the Red Players. However, one day, a gate had suddenly opened in the middle of this prison. And this allowed the Red Players to escape, who then went wild and destroyed everything in their way.

Something similar had occurred in one of the prisons in the US too. Jeffery was a legendary player renowned for his evil nature. He had murdered countless players and non-players before getting caught by a high-ranker. He had then been imprisoned.

But Jeffrey was a psychopath who was obsessed with killing. His killing spree continued even inside the jail, and he soon underwent his secondary job change to become a Player Eatera rare and hidden job title. Thanks to that, he became stronger than ever and continued feasting on the other player prisoners. Before long, he had become so powerful that even the prison couldnt keep him checked. Now a high ranker himself, Jeffrey broke out of the prison. He had been caught again, but two high-rankers had died in the process.

Jeffrey had been on his third high-ranker when he was caught but not killed. Then, the world had realized that normal prisons couldnt keep players locked up.

Finally, the GPA had decided to look for a special jail, which they had subsequently named Gehenna. It was supposedly a secret place, the location of which was known to only a handful of people. And soon, it had become the new house for many criminal players.

And no one has ever escaped that place. Not even the infamous and legendary murderer Jeffrey.

It was the epicenter of quite a lot of conspiracy theories.

-The American Players Association uses these players for experiments.

-They actually ignore basic human rights and execute these players.

Lou finished Gi-Gyus thoughts, Well use the same method to enter Kronos dimension.

Gi-Gyu nodded. It was an efficient way to find Soo-Jung. Old Man Hwang and Paimon were working hard to find a way to reach her but hadnt succeeded so far.

All right, said Lou. Well figure out something before you return.

So it was decided. Gi-Gyu was to enter the Tower alone.

***

Everyone inside Eden moved busily. Compartmentalization had ended not too long ago, but there was even more work to be done now.

Faster! Old Man Hwang yelled. Demons go that way, and the angels are to gather over there!

Eden's new and old soldiers moved quickly under Old Man Hwangs command. Despite it being a serious situation, he was obviously having fun.

Didnt he say it feels like hes playing a game? Gi-Gyu remembered Old Man Hwang saying that working in Eden was like playing a fun game he used to play as a child.

Gi-Gyu picked up a bag filled with various potions, weapons, and food. It wasn't for him but for Haures, who had spent a long time inside the Tower. When he put the giant bag on his back, he felt someone staring at him.

Gi-Gyu turned to see El watching him from high up in the sky castle. With his incredible sight, he could even see the texture of her skin despite the distance.

Im sorry, Gi-Gyu apologized silently. El didnt look happy, and he wondered if it was because she thought he was leaving her behind.

But the people here need you, Gi-Gyu whispered. Els divine energy wouldnt help Haures and Go Hyung-Chul much. However, she could help those in Eden currently getting ready to fight the Caravan Guild. Those in Eden were powerful, but there was no way to avoid the deaths and injuries while fighting the Caravan Guild. This was why Gi-Gyu had asked El to stay here.

-Master.

Gi-Gyu heard Els voice in his head. Did she hear his thoughts?

-I will always wait for you, Master.

It wont be long. Gi-Gyu smiled.

Are you ready? Sung-Hoon arrived to escort Gi-Gyu out.

***

Ackkkkkk! The scream was coming from far away, but it was so loud that it sounded much closer. The scream carried so much power that it shook the ground.

Haa Haa Haures panted.

Dammit! Go Hyung-Chul swore. The scream had weakened the barrier he had created, so he muttered to strengthen it, Shadow Barrier

Shadow Barrier allowed him to hide in a shadow and provide protection for others, but it wasnt enough.

Ugh! one member of the Drake-Knight Order collapsed.

Fuck! Go Hyung-Chul screamed and ran toward the injured. Thankfully, the death knight, being a sturdy creature, wasnt fatally injured. But it would take a long time to recover.

It had been three days since this battle began.

Haures, who had lost an arm and was leaning against a rock, whispered, This is worse than hell

I guess we might not last a week. Go Hyung-Chul smiled bitterly. His barrier wouldnt protect them for too long now. This was the Tower, and their current location didnt supply much sorcerous energy. Unfortunately, Shadow Barrier required a large quantity of sorcerous energy. At this rate, he would barely last a week.

Dammit. Go Hyung-Chul bit his lower lip again. Hal was in front of him, and his broken halberd was stuck in the ground; his eyes were closed.