LTTH C27

Chapter 27

1. Chae Hansol? 

Amidst the sweeping storm of controversy, the movements of the “Messiah” party inevitably drew the gaze and ear of all.

The subordinate Berthel’s second laboratory has been cleared.

As the system message spread worldwide, headlines across myriad media outlets were soon flooded with the name “Messiah.”

[Messiah. Clearing a gate presumed to be S-rank alongside merely ten rankers…]

[…Messiah. Who is this man?]

[Messiah. Concerning the men he mentioned…]

[Messiah and the Tower Lord. Their bond is far deeper than rumors suggest…]

…Of course, scattered among these were tales whose truth could not be confirmed, springing forth like mushrooms. Yet the blaze of fervor would not die for hours on end. Fueled further by several interviews, the flames roared higher still.

It began in Japan. Two hunters, swift to return home upon clearing the gate, prioritized interviews above all else. Departing from the original plan to gain information on gate rewards or new monsters within, their discourse praised the Messiah from start to finish.

“To simply call him a healer greatly belies him.”

“Holding such power, yet wielding it without arrogance; and, most decisively, possessing a singular ability that places every other healer beneath his feet.”

“He is unlike common healers. Of an entirely different dimension.”

Had one heard these accolades, one might suspect the Messiah had captured some weakness to be so lauded without cease, and many tilting their heads could not help but doubt.

Yet, oddly, these two hunters were far from alone in their exaltation. Indeed, their praise was but a mere drop in the ocean.

“Oh, the Messiah must be brought to our lands. Without fail.”

“If the world faces a gate that threatens all, and I must participate, I would without hesitation seek him out. Begging him to join me.”

“And it is not only that. I pledge, if the Messiah fights alongside us, every ranker would throw themselves into battle without thought for death.”

Though some hunters spoke with a tone edged by aggression or defiance, their message rang unanimous: “Within the gate, he was truly a god—the Messiah.”

This degree of acclaim spurred curiosity to bloom alongside suspicion across nations. What power could render every ranker utterly devoted? What occurred within the gate? What deed had captivated such warriors?

With questions mounting, associations worldwide commenced investigations into the figure known as “Messiah.” Yet the results proved surprisingly scant. For so far, information on Hansol was neither significant nor expansive.

An eternal level one.

Five years of frozen rank. Yet a healer who suddenly bloomed unparalleled powers.

The mere epithet of “healer” could no longer be dismissed lightly—it was laden with implications.

Was it truly possible for so much to happen to a single man?

As intelligence on Hansol accumulated, associations found themselves compelled to doubt. A level frozen for five years alone defied logic; that this frozen limit now moved, and abilities unlike other healers began to awaken, was still less credible.

The system was calculated, methodical. All phenomena so far, spurred by the gates, seemed orchestrated as if preordained—leading hunters to awaken and falter in a measured dance. Yet now, an unforeseen variable had arisen?

Whether for good or ill, this was no matter to easily overlook.

Eventually, associations across nations converged on a unanimous conclusion, prompting the leaders themselves to rouse with weighty deliberation.

Hours later, a command of state-level gravity was issued to hunters affiliated with the associations.

<Capture Messiah to take control of the world’s tide.>

Thus began the true dawn of the Messiah hunt.

Having become a globally recognized hot topic, Messiah Hansol found himself in an especially awkward position. Just as he was preparing to return after clearing the gate, hunters from the Korean Association began appearing everywhere—even at his home and in his neighborhood.

“Those who once disregarded him as a mere level one healer now turn on a dime.”

The sudden change was comical. Yet the hunters’ lingering on streets stirred unease among common folk, compelling the authorities to cite “patrol” as a simple explanation—an excuse even more laughable.

Did they truly believe such a claim would pacify the people? Foolishness remained unaltered from past to present.

“James, you said you had a favor to ask?”

“…That’s right. I do.”

Therefore, Hansol had no choice but to seek the Tower Lord’s aid. It was for this reason that Hansol and James now sat facing each other in the Tower Lord’s office.

As soon as the gate was cleared and the return portal formed, James swiftly exited the gate. Hansol assumed James would return home as well. Yet, contrary to expectation, James requested a quiet place to discuss matters, resulting in the present situation.

As the discussion commenced, James repeatedly parted his lips without uttering a word. Hansol silently observed, sensing the topic weighed heavily.

‘Is Sehyun going to be alright…?’

The image of Sehyun’s pale face overlapped with the weary, reckless countenance of the once-carefree man. Unlike James, Sehyun’s complexion had remained wan until the final moments. The injury was healed—not a single wound remained, his body perfected through exhaustive mana expenditure. Yet despite this flawless restoration, the failure to regain consciousness posed a grave challenge.

For this reason, Sehyun was immediately transferred to a specialized hunter hospital upon exiting the gate. This was the Tower Lord’s suggestion.

“He will be fine. Had his spirit been weaker, Hansol-nim would never have chosen him.”

How exactly did this man see him? The immense faith conveyed pressed upon Hansol faintly as a burden. Moreover, Hansol had not been the one to make Sehyun a holy knight; it was the system that had forced the precious use of a sacred power point upon him.

“Perhaps, by tomorrow, he will barge in, complaining that Hansol-nim has monopolized me again.”

A rough consolation, laced with a small smile, unexpectedly prompted a hollow laugh from Hansol. He had evidently been more tense and worried than he admitted—concerns like what would happen if Sehyun failed to awaken.

On the other hand, the system’s chosen champion would not so easily perish. Hansol met James’ gaze resolutely, his doubts somewhat eased. Sehyun would rise. Now, nothing remained but to heed James’ request.

“If there is anything I can do, I shall. Speak without restraint.”

“Then, Darling, will you accompany me to America?”

“…Pardon?”

That was not what he was expecting. Though mentally prepared, the blunt proposal left Hansol momentarily speechless. It surely was no confession of love—but how was he to respond?

“Listen…! I told you not every word you blurt out counts as truth!”

While Hansol stumbled for words, a loud clatter erupted as the Tower Lord grabbed James by the collar.

Had they not just teleported? Was it necessary to use magic in this cramped space? Hansol thought but withheld comment.

It also struck him that the Tower Lord’s hold made it appear as if he clung desperately to James’ garment.

“Darling, you know of the Dark Zone in America, yes?”

Though grasping James still proved uncomfortable, the Tower Lord chose to sigh once before speaking further, refusing to release James.

The Dark Zone, one of the world’s eight great dark zones, was familiar even to Hansol.

The great catastrophes did not bring only deadly gate breaks to humanity. Separate from the break itself, some nations lost their lands that day, parts transformed into regions uninhabitable by man.

A world blackened utterly—floor, buildings, all stained with darkness. A Dark Zone. Within its borders, only monsters and the few “survivors” bore any color.