Kim Hwi-yeon followed Harlan’s instructions. Soon, six people gathered in a location away from the others: Kang Taesan, Kim Jung-geun, Lee Tae-yeon, Kang Jun-hyuk, Kim Hwi-yeon, and Harlan.
“Hey! Aren't you the leader from India? What brings you here when we couldn’t even meet before?”
Kim Jung-geun’s eyes widened upon seeing Harlan. He had also made efforts to contact India, so he understood the current situation. Harlan smiled wryly.
“Hello.”
“I can see you’re not hostile towards us, so I’ll ask: why is India rejecting us so harshly?”
In response to Kim Hwi-yeon’s question, Harlan remained silent.
After glancing around at her, Taesan, and Lee Tae-yeon, he seemed to come to a decision and opened his mouth.
“Before that, I have one request.”
“A request...?”
“May I duel with Taesan?”
“Excuse me?”
Kim Hwi-yeon was taken aback. Harlan fixed his unwavering gaze on Taesan.
Taesan nodded.
“I don’t mind.”
“Thank you.”
Harlan drew his sword and manifested his power with a serious expression.
“Whoa.”
“That’s quite impressive...”
Lee Tae-yeon and Kang Jun-hyuk were in awe. It was not quite at their level, but it was not insignificant either. This level of power could only be attained after reaching the 40th floor.
“If it’s you, Taesan, you could easily win against someone like me. So, I ask you to please face me with all your strength.”
“Alright.”
Taesan accepted.
The duel was established, and Harlan prepared to move with a serious expression.
“Oh.”
But he suddenly froze.
Taesan was simply watching him without making a move.
Just that was enough to make Harlan’s whole body tremble as if he were a leaf in the wind. His body became drenched in cold sweat.
“Ah, ah, ah...”
Eventually, Harlan’s eyes rolled back, and he collapsed. Kim Hwi-yeon, who was watching, gasped and caught him.
“Taesan? What did you do?”
“Just a little pressure.”
Taesan had shown Harlan what he could do using his will alone. That alone was enough to break Harlan’s mental resolve and knock him out.
“Wow.”
Lee Tae-yeon clicked her tongue. A player from the 40th floor couldn’t even resist, fainting from just a simple pressure.
They were likely not that different. Although they were of the same difficulty level, Taesan’s power felt unapproachable.
“Ugh...”
Before long, Harlan awoke.
Staring blankly at Taesan, he soon forced a wry smile.
“Is this why we’re in such a situation, despite having a monster like you? Truly, it’s a twisted world.”
“...You’re trying to cooperate with us, right?”
“I am. But the others are different.”
Harlan took a deep breath to calm himself.
“I’m certainly their leader, but I have no real power. I’m merely a decorative figure.”
“What do you mean by that...?”
“Where should I begin?”
Harlan scratched his head with a troubled expression.
“Let me start from the beginning. After the world fell apart and monsters emerged, we desperately fought to survive. However, people’s spirits began to decay. Despite struggling to survive, many resorted to suicide.”
Kim Hwi-yeon nodded. They were not any different. The collapse of their peaceful world and the sudden need to fight for their lives had led many to break down.
“We overcame the crisis and continued to live. The monsters weren’t that strong, after all.”
As all power was concentrated in Korea, other countries had a relatively easy time. The players in India could still live with hope for the future.
“The problem arose from there. The caste system began to revive.”
“The caste system? I heard that has mostly disappeared now.”
“That used to be true. But when the world fell apart and laws lost their meaning, society began to revert to its past. People started to discriminate against and oppress each other.”
“You’re talking about Brahmins and Kshatriyas, right?”
“Yes. The highest caste is the Brahmins, followed by the Kshatriyas. Then there are the Vaishyas, Shudras, and the untouchables known as Chandala. The upper two castes started gathering to seize power.”
“That sounds strange.”
Kim Jung-geun, who had been quietly listening, spoke up.
“I hate to say this, but the dungeon is quite egalitarian. Once you gain real power, caste means nothing. But a caste system? I find that hard to believe.”
In reality, Korea was also the same. During the first return, politicians and civil society members attempted to wield power in society, but all were killed by monsters. The class system on Earth had no meaning in the current destroyed world.
But Harlan shook his head.
“Originally, that was the case. In fact, initially, the caste system was shattered, and everyone was equal. However... the hard mode Brahmins and Kshatriyas began to move.”
Harlan bit his lip.
“They drew in the hard mode Vaishyas and Shudras to make them their own.”
“Ah.”
Kim Jung-geun finally understood what was happening.
“In modern India, the caste system had been dismantled. Many people didn’t like that. They took the opportunity presented by the dungeon to draw people in.”
“If you join us, you can hold power.”
“Your offspring will forever be treated as nobles and royalty.”
“We have the strength to do that. We deserve it.”
They preached this way.
“The world is in ruins. Those with power wished for a hierarchy. Under their cooperation, a perfect caste system was established in the blink of an eye. Since it arose within hard mode, I couldn’t intervene.”
Thus, the caste system was fully revived in India.
“It’s a different situation than China.”
In China, it was the overwhelming force of Jin Long that established the caste system. No matter how high their position, they were ultimately beneath Jin Long.
But in India, it was different. The caste system was revived under the cooperation of the majority of hard mode players. Their discipline was strong, and it wouldn’t be easily broken.
“We had the luxury to pursue more than just survival. In fact, hard mode players could easily defeat the monsters. That reality made the caste system in India solid.”
Harlan continued, almost as if he was regurgitating his words.
“They defined the castes and began to manipulate religion as they pleased. Although some opposed it, their numbers were large, and they had power, so it was impossible to stop them.”
“Didn’t you get pulled into that?”
“They approached me as well. But I refused.”
Harlan said with a bitter expression.
“I am from the lowest caste, Chandala. Accepting their will would benefit me, but my colleagues and friends would suffer. More than anything, people should be equal. Caste should never define us.”
Harlan spoke strongly, as if it was a truth he had to uphold.
Taesan looked at him.
He felt no particular energy emanating from Harlan, indicating he wasn’t receiving divine support like Amelia.
He had reached the 40th floor solely through his own strength. In some ways, he had qualities even superior to Lee Tae-yeon or Kang Jun-hyuk.
However, Taesan had never seen Harlan in his previous life.
The answer was clear.
Harlan was a good person. And good people willingly sacrifice their lives for others.
Perhaps in his past life, he had lost his life for others on Earth.
“I stood in opposition to them. But I didn’t have the power to defeat them all. If a full-scale clash broke out, someone would ultimately die. I’ve been yielding bit by bit because I didn’t want that.”
As a result, Harlan lost his voice.
“Though I’m the strongest player, they pretend to respect me while treating me with disdain. The players from other countries who joined have gained the Chandala caste. Right now, India is a toy for hard mode players.”
“...Seojangsan would like to hear that.”
Kim Hwi-yeon smiled wryly. Seojangsan, a hard mode player from Korea, had attempted similar things. If Taesan hadn’t intervened, he likely would have succeeded.
“Still, that’s acceptable to some extent. After all, many are still alive.”
Harlan’s face contorted.
“But now, the story has changed.”
Harlan turned his gaze to Taesan.
“You are a monster. You are likely stronger than any being I have encountered. Yet you have not saved the world.”
Given the level of monsters invading India, it seemed impossible. Taesan should be able to wipe them all out alone.
But that wasn’t the case.
“The monsters we’ve faced thus far are just fragments. The real monsters have been targeting you. That’s why we have felt at ease.”
“Well aware of that. That’s the answer.”
“Is that so...”
Harlan lowered his head gloomily. Though his prediction had been correct, it was the worst-case scenario, so he couldn’t feel happy about it.
“If this continues, the players from India will not survive.”
Without joining Taesan, there was no hope.
That was precisely why Harlan had come here, avoiding the gaze of the Brahmins.
“I’m trying to persuade them, but they won’t listen to me. They refuse to give up the power they hold.”
“So that’s why you came to us.”
“Yes. I beg you. Please help prevent many lives from being lost.”
Harlan pleaded earnestly.
As everyone fell silent and contemplated, Taesan finally spoke.
“How can I help?”
“Huh?”
“If I crush the hard mode players with force and save them, what changes?”
“That is...”
Harlan couldn’t provide an answer.
“If I dominate them with force, will they follow me? In the end, it would just mean a supreme being above the caste. The fundamental problem would remain unresolved.”
“...”
“Are you seeking answers from us when you yourself can’t find a solution? Go back. Come to us when you’ve found the answer for yourself.”
Harlan could not respond to Taesan’s words.
---
* * *
“Taesan, can’t we do anything?”
After Harlan had trudged away, Kim Hwi-yeon cautiously asked. Taesan gazed at the rift in the sky as he spoke.
“What is there to do?”
“Can’t you make them follow you with your power...?”
“I told you, the fundamental problem won’t be solved. We might survive for now, but nothing will change.”
Taesan spoke.
“I will certainly save people. But I won’t save everyone.”
“...”
Kim Hwi-yeon could not respond.
She too understood that saving everyone was impossible. She couldn’t force that on Taesan.
“Don’t worry. I don’t intend to leave them to their fate.”
Taesan said.
He was not a sage-like saint.
Still, he intended to save as many people as possible. If Taesan were merely focused on efficiency, the number of survivors would likely be less than half of what it was now.
But if he were going to save them, it would be in a way that benefited him as well.
Taesan wrapped the faith that flowed towards him.
His stature continued to push its way beyond the threshold. It was happening at a much faster pace than he had anticipated.
‘Is it because I am an existence of this world?’
A world on the brink of destruction under the influence of the Celestial God. Taesan was not a being born and raised there. For that reason, the faith that gathered from there was diluted.
But Earth was different. Taesan was born and raised here. As a result, he was receiving faith from the people of Earth. That meant the faith was more fundamental and profound.
‘At this rate...’
Perhaps there was a possibility of transcending the threshold in this return.
Taesan planned to take action for that.
Time passed. Harlan desperately tried to persuade the Brahmins, but they mocked and ridiculed him.
Weak cowards. A traitor trying to align with unbelievers. They declared they would perfectly block the wave and prove Taesan’s weakness.
Harlan didn’t give up, but nothing changed. The Brahmins, who had never experienced the threat, had no intention of relinquishing their power.
Eventually, time passed without any significant results.
People formed ranks in preparation for the wave. The Brahmins standing at the forefront awaited the wave confidently.
They intended to quickly clear the monsters and resume enjoying their power. That was all they were thinking.
And then the monsters appeared.
[Wave Start.]
[Roar!]
[Monster 987 has appeared.]
[Monster 378 has appeared.]
[Monster 148 has appeared.]
---
* * *
“Ugh...”
The Indian easy and normal mode players waited for the wave with tense expressions. Many prayed, hoping for salvation from their gods.
And among the hard mode players at the front lines, there was no anxiety or fear. Their faces were full of smiles as if they were playing a game.
“Who do you think will defeat the most monsters this time?”
“Want to bet? Whoever defeats the most monsters gets 200 gold and a thousand Chandala.”
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freewebnσvel.cøm.
“A thousand? Too little. You should at least offer ten thousand. Since it’s a festival, we should make it worthwhile, right?”
They placed the lives of people as bets, and none of them found it strange.
They had acquired absolute power. No one could stop them or interfere.
The reason was simple. They had strength.
After obtaining a certain level of power, they had faced almost no life-threatening situations on Earth.
Each of them could take down dozens of monsters alone, without sustaining any injuries.
With more than a million hard mode players, they could sweep away the monsters.
They only needed themselves.
Easy and normal players were completely useless.
Their confidence warped their ideologies even further.
“What will Harlan do? He seems to be trying to collaborate with other groups.”
“Let him be. It’s not worth directly interfering. We can overlook that much.”
Although Harlan was alone, he was still the strongest player. They wouldn’t touch him as long as he continued to yield to them.
Someone among them smirked.
“Before long, that group will be ours as well.”
In response to that, laughter filled the air.
“Just a coward worshiping a single human. It’s laughable.”
“They’ll probably scream to be our slaves once they see us deal with the monsters.”
Having seen the community, they were aware of Korea’s situation. That’s why they mocked and ridiculed the Koreans, Chinese, and Japanese.
Weaklings who could only survive by relying on one human. It was utterly pathetic.
Taesan might be strong, but they believed he was only at Harlan’s level. If that were the case, they could easily crush him with sheer numbers.
They planned to swallow up Russia and Korea during this return.
As they dreamed of a rosy future, the wave began.
“Let’s clear them out quickly.”
As space expanded, the monsters appeared.
Most of the monsters were not impressive; they were the same level they had faced before.
But among them were monsters they had never seen before.
[Roar!]
[Monster 987 has appeared.]
[Monster 378 has appeared.]
[Monster 148 has appeared.]
“...Huh?”
“Three-digit?”
A momentary panic spread across the faces of the Indian players.
What they had seen had only gone up to four digits.
A four-digit monster was quite powerful, but it was not life-threatening, and they could easily take it down if they combined forces.
“...I’ve never seen three digits before.”
“It shouldn’t be much different.”
They felt a bit tense, but they didn’t carry any emotions beyond that.
Even if they faced three-digit monsters, they believed they could overwhelm them. They had no doubt about that.
The hard mode players rushed toward the monsters. The monsters stared blankly at them.
“Die!”
The first person drew his weapon. It was the same man who had suggested the bet.
The monster moved its body.
His head separated from his torso.
“Ah?”
[Oh! Oh! Oh!]
With a deafening explosion, a blast erupted. The Indian hard mode players were sent flying in all directions like shrapnel from a grenade.