I Entered an Academy in a Ruined Game

Chapter 324 : The Journey Ends (2)

Time flew as swiftly as an arrow shot.

It had already been 5 years since Belphegor's fall and Su-hyeon's disbandment of the Execution Force.

The once-destroyed world was busy with reconstruction, just as Su-hyeon had said in his speech.

-One can conquer the world on horseback, but one cannot rule the world from horseback.

This was advice given by a minister to Liu Bang, the founder of the Han dynasty who defeated Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King.

The warriors had returned to their respective domains and were managing the peaceful era after the great war in slightly different ways.

Meanwhile, figures who had supported the warriors from the rear during wartime came to the forefront of reconstruction efforts, with Chairman Hwang Yong-jae undeniably at the center.

The foresight of this constructor of the [Human Fortress] created truly tremendous synergy effects.

Above all, the various knowledge, papers, videos, and visual materials stored on the supercomputer servers—which he had managed to protect from Andromalius's wave attacks during the time Su-hyeon hadn't returned—played a significant role.

Not only that, but the seeds of various crops stored in the seed repository and the genes of livestock.

The formulations of various alloys and new materials, their raw materials, and extraction methods.

These became the seeds that revived agriculture, animal husbandry, light industry, heavy industry, cultural industry, and all other industries humans could imagine.

In addition, USB drives containing lecture videos teaching specialized knowledge, and even the computers to play them, were distributed generously.

However, in a situation where ships, airplanes, cars, trains, railways, and roads were overwhelmingly scarce.

Once again, Awakened stepped up to handle tasks such as flight and transportation.

Moreover, abilities that had once been necessary for killing enemies and protecting allies were now being utilized as industrial workforce in construction, security, and more.

The harmony between non-Awakened and Awakened was being realized just as Hwang Yong-jae had intended.

Thanks to this, Hwang Yong-jae received popularity and respect second only to Su-hyeon.

Yet he continued to devote himself with the feeling that it wasn't enough to atone for the sins of his brother Hwang Won-jae, Belphegor's loyal servant who had caused all this trouble.

This attitude was enough to move even the heart of his daughter Hwang Ji-su, who had once disliked her goal-oriented and career-minded father.

Meanwhile, Heo Sung-gyeom took charge of rebuilding the state system and maintained close cooperation with political circles.

He handled diplomatic affairs—support and exchange with overseas provisional governments and major shelters.

Finally, three years ago, he established a global organization headquartered at the [Human Fortress].

Now the [Human Fortress], once Noah's Ark, had transformed into a world capital worthy of being called the headquarters of the world government, the inheritor of modern civilization, and the center of future civilization.

People who absorbed the technology, resources, and ideologies pouring out from this capital eagerly began to restore modern social systems such as democracy, capitalism, and stock markets.

With the addition of economy and desire as oil, civilization that had regressed to pre-medieval times was now recovering its former appearance at an unbelievably fast pace.

In addition, Kim Cheol-han took over as the new principal of EFAC, replacing Vice Principal Gong Gi-jeong, and was responsible for overseeing the educational domain.

Oh Chang-seong became like a godfather to Lycanthrope-type Awakened, developing specialized martial arts for Lycanthropes while also working as a boxing instructor.

Of course, demons, Ma-in, and remnants of demonic beasts occasionally caused disturbances.

But the Awakened around the world who had survived against even Belphegor's forces, after returning to their respective positions, maintained peace by training Awakened under them using their past experiences and defeating difficult enemies with the cooperation of PMCs and peacekeeping forces.

"These are good times. Don't you think so, Chief of Staff?"

"Principal Kim, how long has it been since the Execution Force disbanded, yet you still call a retired man Chief of Staff?"

"I'm just used to it."

Meanwhile.

Those who were Su-hyeon's peers, who had gone from promising cadets to young captains of the Execution Force, and who had climbed the tower as the final Suicide Squad, were also active in their respective positions.

First, Seo Jun-seong was being guided and trained by current Commander Seol Ji-yun, "The Flame Emperor," as the next commander of the former Execution Force, now the Peacekeeping Force.

"Hey, Jun-seong. Can't I just retire? There's nothing more to teach you."

"No way. You recruited me, so you need to stick around longer."

"Augh. I've raised a tiger cub."

Lee Yu-jin, known by the honorable title "Sword Star," succeeded Lee Un-hak as the young head of the Lee sword family and became an idol of all swordsmen, working to spread and develop swordsmanship.

The swordsmanship she developed through daily sparring with Su-hyeon had now surpassed the achievements of her grandfather, the Sword God Lee Un-hak.

Additionally, Hwang Ji-su reconciled with her father Hwang Yong-jae, became independent, and became the chairwoman of a PMC company.

Subsequently, she combined her overwhelming personal combat power with the business acumen and connections inherited from her father, and was known as the Iron Lady who essentially dominated military companies worldwide, handling armed forces in the private sector.

Kim A-yun reigned as the second-in-command of the PMC under Hwang Ji-su and at some point began to be called the "Lightning Goddess." Her presence—appearing anywhere with lightning, scorching enemies with one bolt and an army of electric sparrows and electric hamsters—created a strange charisma that contrasted with her small build and timid demeanor.

Min Hae-na yielded the position of next commander of the Peacekeeping Force to Seo Jun-seong, and she herself was designated as the next commander of the Special Operations unit, now renamed the Special Warfare Unit, succeeding Su-hyeon's team.

Stating that this level was just right for someone who liked to run wild without thinking, and declining any higher positions, she was happily traveling the world with former 1st Unit Captain Jo Sujin, who was enthusiastic about eliminating remnants of demons and Ma-in.

Supporting and running wild with these two was Hong In-hyeon, who had reached S-rank and was rampaging so severely against magical creatures that he was called a crazy lunatic.

Meanwhile, Kwon Seung-yeon's path surprised everyone.

Claiming she was tired of fighting and wanted to live a completely different life, she fully embraced cooking and food, which she had always enjoyed, and was living a new life as a culinary researcher and renowned food critic.

She had gained 5kg despite regular exercise due to how much she ate, but this actually made her more popular.

While living the life of a celebrity—though she was the only one who denied it—she also worked to spread cooking methods that could be easily utilized in barren areas or regions lacking resources.

Choi Min-a established her own small magic tower, exchanged knowledge with old European magical families to further develop her skills, and had been known as a new archmage for the past two years.

Nam Tae-hoon joined forces with Park Min-cheol and Old Man Jang to take control of the black market—which inevitably flourished in emergency economic situations—and acted as a kind of regulatory unit and market participant to oversee and monitor it with minimal rules.

He also drew much criticism among friends for being utterly devoted to his lover Choi Min-a, promptly bringing her rare ingredients whenever they appeared.

Song Yu-ha established a Healer Academy with former instructor Jang Jin-won and was responsible for professionally training healers, who were always valuable.

Meanwhile, Lim Eun-seo was persuaded by Chairman Hwang Yong-jae's coaxing and special treatment to make a sudden decision to get employed, and thanks to her fame for having made Su-hyeon's sword, she was now called the world's best blacksmith.

Besides these, many others were successfully living their second lives in their respective fields.

And Su-hyeon.

He lived a leisurely life like that of a medieval pope or an ancient divine being, occasionally traveling the world to observe people and offer help, rather than directly holding any title or position.

Since he was already a complete being who needed neither training nor anything else.

He only provided guidance through occasional sparring when challenged by Lee Yu-jin, Min Hae-na, and others.

Su-hyeon's self existed as a god watching for possible invasions or abnormal situations from outside the world.

And his body, as his avatar, continued to enjoy life as a human.

"We have a guest."

And there was a visitor from another world who had come to see him after a long time.

"Belred."

The one who had become the ruler of Nastrond was staging a demonstration, demanding that Su-hyeon bring out alcohol.

"I blocked everyone from coming out, so how did you break through?"

Su-hyeon sighed as he brought out a good bottle of liquor.

"Hehehe. Thanks to that, all my powers are sealed. Right now, I have no way to win even if not just you, but your friends came too."

Belred, who had lost much of his sharp, lone wolf-like appearance, had become quite mellow.

"How are you? Doing well?"

"More or less."

"Looking around on my way here, I saw it's completely different from last year again. The pace of human development is remarkable."

Belred had been visiting Su-hyeon once or twice a year.

In some circles, it was spoken of as a friendship between demons and humans, like a heartwarming story.

But to the parties involved, it was just like meeting an old friend after a long time.

"How are things in Nastrond?"

"Well, that bastard Belphegor messed it up for too long, and it was a mess even before him."

Belred shrugged.

"It's embarrassing that the civilization of the demons, born with power and longevity, is lagging at least a thousand years behind you humans."

"Isn't it similar to ants creating a more advanced civilization than mantises?"

"And sometimes a monster ant like you emerges, surpassing the mantis."

Belred smiled faintly as he filled a glass with wine.

"If there's one thing I miss, it's the taste of alcohol. All those demon bastards have weird taste, so they can't even make proper alcohol."

"Want me to pack some for you to take back?"

"No thanks."

Belred shook his head.

"I stole a few bottles last time, but they all rotted somehow while crossing dimensions."

"...You stole mine?"

"Hehehe. You had plenty anyway."

Belred drank the wine in one gulp and wiped his mouth clean.

"...By the way, the finiteness of humans is sometimes brilliant."

"Why are you suddenly getting all serious?"

"Ahem."

Belred cleared his throat and continued.

"I was actually a bit surprised that you watched the reconstruction quietly, without using any special powers or helping."

"Being spoon-fed has no meaning. It's enough to watch from the side so they can stand up on their own. Humans are resilient."

"Is that your judgment as a transcendent?"

Belred nodded.

"But I wonder."

"About what?"

"What will happen after several decades or a hundred years from now."

"Hmm."

"Rebuilding a destroyed civilization will take several generations. During that time, those who overcame past hardships, children who remember past hardships, will die and return to dust in the blink of an eye."

"I suppose so."

"Your heroic tales will be the same. Stories will be passed down orally and eventually..."

Belred poured a new glass and continued.

"You will become a myth. The new myth will be revered by future generations, but I think by then, you will probably have left the side of humans."

"Yes. Time cannot be stopped, and human lifespan is finite. That's why I want to spend the remaining time with my friends as a human now."

"But that time is just a moment from a transcendent's perspective. What will you do after that?"

Su-hyeon understood Belred's concern.

"You're asking if I'll become like Belphegor, existing alone and going mad from boredom?"

"...Yes."

"I don't think that will happen."

Su-hyeon said.

"They can come up with me, can't they? By that time, everyone should be able to break free from the shackles of lifespan."

"Haha!"

Belred burst into laughter.

"Are you planning to create a pantheon? Clever guy."

"Why, should I prepare a seat for you too if you get bored?"

"Hmph. No thanks."

"Oh, come to think of it."

Su-hyeon, enjoying the aroma of the wine before taking a sip, said.

"I got in touch with Germer recently."

"What? Really?"

Belred also knew about the previous transcendent called Germer from what Su-hyeon had told him.

"What happened?"

"He seems to be doing well. Apparently, he's now enjoying being called an 'urban legend about some super-intelligent AI wandering the digital world.'"

"That guy has quite the nasty taste."

"I agree. By the way, how's your training going?"

"Well. I'm working hard. But I don't think I'll become a transcendent like you even after a thousand years."

"Don't be too obsessed. Even things that should work out won't if you obsess over them."

"I gratefully accept the advice."

Belred, looking as if he had little interest in that, changed the subject.

"So anyway."

"What is it?"

"What happened in the end?"

"What do you mean?"

"You, your love life was super complicated."

"What are you talking about? Love life?"

"Anyway. So who are you dating? It's been five years and you still haven't reached a conclusion?"

"...You came all this way to ask that?"

"Hehehehe."

Belred laughed.

"Is it that obvious?"