From Today, I'm a Player

Chapter 141: The Harbinger of the Cataclysm

The news that Yeo Seong-Gu had brought with him to Egypt was shocking.

‘Odin’s disappearance.’

The President of the Korean Association.

The Ruler of Asgard.

He, the hidden owner of Korea, had suddenly disappeared.

After the conference regarding the Nile in Asgard ended, he, who would always remain behind alone in order to organize his thoughts, had disappeared.

“Asgard has declared an emergency,” Yeo Seong-Gu said to Lee Jun-Kyeong. “The influence Odin has is too great for us to be able to fill his vacancy easily.”

“Where in the world could he have gone?” Lee Jun-Kyeong asked.

However, Yeo Seong-Gu just shook his head as if to express that no one had any idea, and Lee Jun-Kyeong’s expression hardened.

‘What timing.’

To think he had disappeared just as the cataclysm was approaching.

If this were before the cataclysm, then Lee Jun-Kyeong would have welcomed the news that the Association president had disappeared.

However.

“We cannot do this without him.”

In the coming cataclysm, Odin’s presence was necessary.

“Who knows? However, he’s not someone who could just be attacked or kidnapped by just anyone. Moreover, the last place he had been seen was his own Territory, Asgard, so…”

The consensus was that no one had harmed him.

“Most likely, he disappeared off to somewhere,” Yeo Seong-Gu commented.

Odin was strong, and there wasn’t a single person on the planet that could hurt him in his own Territory.

Therefore, Asgard had concluded that Odin had disappeared because he himself had wanted to.

Lee Jun-Kyeong nodded in agreement.

“Of all the times to…” he muttered.

“Don’t worry too much about this. I’ve at least told him about the cataclysm, as you mentioned, and he had been preparing in his own way,” Yeo Seong-Gu said.

Lee Jun-Kyeong’s eyes shone.

“Well, it won’t make much of a difference if he’s not there. Of course, it’s still a little regretful.”

"That's a relief,” Lee Jun-Kyeong replied.

“No matter. Anyway, the fact is that one of the Zeniths has disappeared. We have to handle the work here quickly and return,” Yeo Seong-Gu finished.

Lee Jun-Kyeong nodded in agreement.

He felt uneasy.

‘Although I already decided to just take advantage of the variables…’

To think Odin had disappeared.

It was still a bigger change than he could have expected.

He wondered if this was a change also related to his own existence.

‘There’s no way it isn’t.’

History would follow the path that had been carved.

It was obvious that if it weren’t for him, a rock that diverted its flow, the ripples of history would have flowed the way that they had been.

Odin’s disappearance wasn’t in the original history of his past.

‘Then I’ve created an impact on this timeline.’

It was clear that Lee Jun-Kyeong’s actions had likely been a factor of the Association President’s disappearance.

He pondered over the situation.

What could he have done?

‘What caused Odin to disappear?’

For some reason, that topic seemed to be important.

***

Korea’s Asgard wasn’t the only organization that had come to Egypt to visit the Nile.

All of the world’s secret organizations and prominent Heroes had gathered here.

Moreover, Lee Jun-Kyeong had been allowed to participate in this meeting thanks to his elevated reputation.

‘These people…’

They were the Heroes of the world.

Lee Jun-Kyeong was surprised once again.

This was the first time he had seen this group of people and the first time he had been able to meet Heroes from around the world in this manner.

Asgard.

The Nile.

The Round Table.

He had seen many different Heroes while visiting various secret organizations, but the Heroes in front of him were those who represented each organization around the world.

‘How strong.’

Of course, some of them fell short of his own level as he had become much stronger. However, most of the Heroes here were exuding a force to be reckoned with.

“...”

As Lee Jun-Kyeong observed them, they also observed him. After all, he was the main character who was making the world blow up.

He rampaged through any incident like a typhoon, solving it in his wake.

An emerging power.

“The Underdog..." someone said while looking in his direction. Everyone’s attention was on him.

It hadn’t been long since he had joined his organization.

‘Are they considering poaching me?’

Most of the Heroes looked at him with favorable gazes. It hadn’t been that long since he had joined an organization, but he was still growing this rapidly—no, now, he had grown to be a Hunter who had somewhat reached their level.

It was obvious that he would be a mouthwatering prey for them.

Despite all that, Lee Jun-Kyeong and the Hunters weren’t at this place to greet one another today.

“We offer our condolences regarding the accident in Egypt.”

This was about Set’s rebellion in Egypt. They had gathered to discuss the damage the rebellion had caused.

“Takamagahara is willing to offer a number of Heroes to aid in Egypt’s restoration.”

Moreover, they had gathered to discuss how to take away the weakened Egypt’s power.

A hero named Yashin from Japan’s secret organization, Takamagahara, had spoken.

Lee Jun-Kyeong didn’t know his name or face, as he had never heard of this Hunter’s name or title, but he was one of the top five present.

Among the numerous Hunters gathered, Yashin showed an overwhelming strength.

Many of those gathered, led by Yashin, said that they would send aid to Egypt, but their actual meaning was entirely different.

‘They have deeply hidden intentions. They want to take control over Egypt by having their Heroes stationed here.’

They intended to swallow the power of the weakened Nile.

Horus, the one in the center of all of this commotion, listened in silence.

Moreover, some of the Hunters also expressed hostility.

“Egypt has caused the status of Hunters around the world to degrade because of what had happened here.”

Their purpose wasn’t just to nibble away at the Nile. They wanted to destroy the organization, the Nile.

“How do you plan on making amends for it?” someone asked aggressively.

They had the aim of eliminating the organization called the Nile in its entirety. Most of the secret organizations of Egypt’s neighboring countries had that purpose.

Those who had given Lee Jun-Kyeong friendly looks quickly changed the light in their eyes as they became predators looking for food.

Horus had taken over a huge organization at such a young age and seemed unfamiliar with the whole situation.

“Still, looks like he has a little tenacity to him,” Yeo Seong-Gu whispered quietly to Lee Jun-Kyeong.

“Is Asgard not going to participate in those matters?” Lee Jun-Kyeong whispered in response.

“The conclusion at the conference was that we would withdraw and not be involved in the Nile’s affairs. Moreover…”

With a simple answer, Yeo Seong-Gu continued while whispering.

“It can be said that we have already become beings who have obtained enough influence in the Nile, anyway.”

Everyone knew that Lee Jun-Kyeong had helped save the Nile.

The Nile owed Lee Jun-Kyeong, and Asgard, the organization to which he belonged, an incredible debt.

“I don’t think that’ll be the case,” Lee Jun-Kyeong answered jokingly, but Yeo Seong-Gu answered seriously as they continued to speak.

“Well, I mean, that’s better for me. I don’t want Asgard to get any stronger.”

While everyone here was talking about Egypt, only Lee Jun-Kyeong and Yeo Seong-Gu were talking among themselves.

“...”

Horus’ eyes met with Lee Jun-Kyeong’s.

At that moment, as Lee Jun–Kyeong began to feel a sense of mysterious anxiety, Horus began to speak.

“Egypt has already decided where we will receive the aid, and with whom we will be sharing deep ties with in the future.”

His anxiety had become a reality.

Horus’ voice was dignified, and with his power of Madness, it spread out over the crowd, pressuring countless Heroes.

"Don't tell me..."

Yeo Seong-Gu looked at Lee Jun-Kyeong anxiously.

Horus’ next words sealed their fate.

“Asgard. The fate of Egypt will be left to Asgard, Korea, or, to be exact, with the Underdog.”

“Fu…”

“Fu…”

Lee Jun-Kyeong and Yeo Seong-Gu both lowered their heads at the same time and said the same thing.

They could feel a stinging glare from all around the room.

As before, although there definitely still was a mix of favorable gazes, they could feel that many of the gazes had changed slightly.

‘They’re wary now.’

Lee Jun-Kyeong quietly raised his head as he felt the gazes upon him.

[<The Sky of the Apocalypse> covers its mouth and laughs.]

[<The Desert’s Sun> shakes its head.]

He could hear the notifications of the Sponsors, one laughing as if he was screwed.

This wasn’t something they had discussed with Horus.

Moreover, it wasn’t that an expansion of power would be an issue.

‘Odin’s absence cannot be revealed.’

For a large secret organization like Asgard, they didn’t know what hyenas would try to prey upon them if Odin’s absence was revealed.

At this point, if they drew attention to these circumstances for no particular reason, only the ordinary humans would be in danger if these Hunters were to use their powers again to target Egypt and Asgard together.

‘And the cataclysm is approaching too…’

At this point, where it was possible that they could all fall into the path of unnecessary mutual destruction…

Lee Jun-Kyeong could understand why Horus had done what he had without discussing it with them, but it wasn’t good.

He had been trying to empower Lee Jun-Kyeong, and it had also been a good move in order to consider the safety of Egypt and maintain power, but it wasn’t a good move in their current situation.

At that point, Yeo Seong-Gu began to speak. "At present, Asgard...”

Lee Jun-Kyeong suddenly stopped Yeo Seong-Gu from continuing.

“...”

His brain had spun quickly, and Lee Jun-Kyeong had found an answer.

“Before we talk about cooperation or aid for Egypt, there is something that I should say in advance.”

He had gazes of caution.

Gazes of goodwill.

And now, even gazes filled with curiosity.

Yeo Seong-Gu paused, momentarily staying quiet.

Everyone in the conference hall, including Horus, looked at Lee Jun-Kyeong.

“Set. This is something I had heard from him when we fought.”

Everyone’s eyes seemed to shine. To think the Underdog had information that he had obtained from Set.

Whatever it was, if it was information that Lee Jun-Kyeong could monopolize, then it must have been valuable. That was what Lee Jun-Kyeong was trying to insinuate.

Some of the observers were even looking down on Lee Jun-Kyeong, thinking that he was immature, as they felt that the reason that Lee Jun-Kyeong had brought it up was that the Hunter had a fiery sense of justice.

For Hunters of their caliber, trying to share valuable information with everyone was something they couldn't understand.

“Well, let’s see what you have to say.”

Still, it wasn’t their job to understand.

Lee Jun-Kyeong looked over at everyone, and Yeo Seong-Gu looked over at him as if he was still anxious about the situation. However, Lee Jun-Kyeong put his hand on Yeo Seong-Gu’s shoulder, as if to let the Hunter know not to worry, and said, “He said that something was coming.”

Lee Jun-Kyeong paused and then slowly continued, “He said that something big, a huge crisis was coming.”

Lee Jun-Kyeong’s words weighed heavily on the conference hall.

“For those of you that are here, you should be fully aware of everything that is happening now, including the special gates that are randomly appearing.”

Lee Jun-Kyeong watched over everyone.

“And that the concentration of mana is getting thicker.”

“...”

“...”

Some of the people nodded, and Yeo Seong-Gu completely relaxed his expression and folded his arms in relief as if he had noticed why Lee Jun-Kyeong had brought up this story.

“Set said that this was an omen.”

“What omen could…” someone asked.

Lee Jun-Kyeong firmly stated, “Cataclysm.”

Could a single word cause this much of a reaction?

A tiny, insignificant word.

They, who hadn’t understood what Lee Jun-Kyeong was saying properly, suddenly hardened their expressions as if they had realized something big.

“Gates appeared, and then, the Hunters. It’s been a while since then. Do you really think that there won’t be a similar change again?” Lee Jun-Kyeong asked them.

“Set was talking about that. That a cataclysm is coming.”

However, some of the Heroes had ugly expressions, and Lee Jun-Kyeong then tried to solve their questions before they asked.

“Set tried to recruit me.”

Everyone’s eyes widened.

“...!”

“That’s why he had told me those things.”

This time, even Horus seemed flustered.

“Set told me. Someone with enormous power is making moves to rule and conquer the world. He also said that he worked for this being, and he reached out for me to join them as well.”

Everyone seemed to be shocked.

But then, they heard a snort.

“Utter nonsense.”

It was the hero from Japan, Yashin of Takamagahara, again. He was a strong and unknown Hunter.

Yashin spoke as he glared clearly at Lee Jun-Kyeong.

“Aren’t you trying to raise your value a little too much? Underdog, while it’s true that you’re strong, I don’t think it is enough for Set to try to rope in someone that he had never met before.”

“That wasn’t all he said either.”

“Also…to rule and conquer the world. I don’t know if you just watch too many movies or whatever…” he said insidiously.

Lee Jun-Kyeong responded without being flustered, “Then, what are all of your goals?”

A pointed question poked at the gathering.

“What is the ultimate purpose of the secret organizations you belong to?”

“That is…!” Yashin interrupted. “Of course it is for the salvation and safety of mankind. We make our moves with mankind in mind, sacrificing…”

“Then it would be better for us all to move as one, integrated organization, not as individual smaller ones,” Lee Jun-Kyeong said, cutting off Yashin.

“One’s own benefit. Moreover, reigning over one’s realm. Isn’t that your purpose?”

The gazes were full of caution, and behind them, hostility.

However. Lee Jun-Kyeong hadn’t finished just yet.

“To be fair, it doesn’t matter what your purpose is. What does matter is that someone stronger than you is making moves to dominate everything. That person is…”

There was a momentary silence.

“Isn’t it important that that person has predicted the cataclysm?”

“...”

“Although Egypt’s issues are important… if they—no, if that person’s purpose is conquering the world, then your domains will never be safe.”

Only the sound of the weight of people’s breathing could be heard.