LTTH C72

Chapter 72

“Before that, Hansol—I’ve drafted the safest route possible, but I want to hear your opinion as well.”

Ignoring James, who was still grumbling nonstop beside them, the Tower Master unfolded a world map made of mana in midair. It resembled the map Kassie had created earlier when he marked England’s coordinates—floating lines of light forming continents and borders.

Blackened regions. Countries glowing in white. Lines of light connecting the known dark zones.

“We’ll depart from here, of course, but the real question is which region we visit first.”

From Korea, the line extended to the United States, then to Japan, then Russia. Clearly, the Tower Master was offering options. But the answer was obvious.

“I think we should begin with America.”

“I expected you’d say that.”

“Thanks, darling.”

Smiling at James’s soft gratitude, Hansol replied, “You’re welcome.” If not for James, he would never have thought to purify dark zones at all—much less attempted it. Starting with America felt only right.

“Then we’ll begin with the U.S.”

While Kassie and the Tower Master resumed refining the route, Hansol tried using Purification again. If he could layer the skill like Heal, the purification process for infected individuals might accelerate significantly.

That would save a lot of time.

—What?

This time, no options appeared. Hansol pressed the confirmation button on the floating system window with rising unease.

The bright white glow covering the Magic Tower’s rooftop vanished instantly. Instead, a fresh white light spread from Hansol, lingered briefly around the three men, and then faded.

“Hansol, what just happened?”

“Were you testing something?”

Yes—testing. Hansol nodded at the Tower Master’s question and looked around.

Even if layering the skill was impossible, he’d expected the Purification Zone to remain. But it had vanished entirely.

This meant that after placing a Purification Zone, he could not cast Purification at all.

And worse—he couldn’t place multiple zones. If he created a new one in another country, the previous one would collapse.

Of course… it wouldn’t be that easy.

He’d underestimated the system. It would never allow a shortcut.

Purifying the infected was not a task that could be completed in a day or two. It might take weeks—months even. Damn it. The hope that had just risen in his chest sank to the bottom in an instant.

“…It seems only one Purification Zone can exist at a time.”

“Hmm. In that case, it’ll take longer.”

“And we’ll need to reconsider which country to visit first.”

There was no helping it. They would need to set priorities and proceed slowly.

“What if we start with America, then move in order of the most dangerous countries?”

“No country will collapse immediately because of the dark zones. Though, well—some countries have already fallen.”

The Tower Master’s calm yet terrifying remark drew Hansol’s eyes back to the floating world map.

One particular country was pitch-black. Its name did not glow. No connecting lines touched it.

It had already been consumed by a dark zone. Too few Hunters. No personnel to restrain the infected. Hansol wondered how that nation was sustaining itself—or whether anyone remained alive at all.

“We’ll take our time planning. There’s no rush yet. More importantly, Hansol—you should choose a place to stay from now on. How about the Magic Tower this time?”

“You think the Association hasn’t given up?”

“They’re scared, yes—but they’re not the type to give up. They’re probably waiting for an opportunity.”

“…I guess I need to move.”

Even if the Association wasn’t the issue, Hansol’s old home undoubtedly had its information leaked. And it wasn’t exactly secure to begin with. He might as well relocate now. The problem was money…

“At the very least, you won’t need to worry about finances.”

“…What?”

At some point, the Tower Master had already stepped onto the magic circle leading to the top floor. With a smile spreading across his face, he called the group together.

“I put in what I believe will be more than enough for your needs. But I’m not sure if it’s to your liking.”

Hansol hadn’t even finished processing those words when the magic circle enveloped them in bright white light. As soon as they arrived on the top floor, Hansol opened his device with trembling hands.

“Darling, can I see too?”

“…Is that necessary?”

“Only if you don’t mind.”

“…Alright.”

James leaned in, and Hansol hesitated before allowing it. It was sensitive information—but it wasn’t like he had much to hide. His assets consisted of the Association’s contract payment and the compensation from America. Nothing impressive.

Or so he thought.

Eyes fixed anxiously on the spinning loading screen, he unlocked the account.

And froze.

“…!”

“Huh? That looks short. Hold on.”

“What? What is this?!”

“It’s what America, I, and the mage added. Wait a moment, darling. I think something’s missing.”

One, ten, hundred, thousand… ten billion…?

Even counting the digits took time. Yet James claimed this amount was incomplete.

This was purification payment? How much had they intended to give him?

Hansol stared in stunned silence as James began calling someone to complain about the missing amount.

“You’ll have to get used to this, Hansol. From now on, hundreds of billions—no, trillions—will pass before your eyes.”

“…Trillions.”

“Of course. The Purification Zones you’ll install worldwide won’t be few. People must pay. Without your ability, they can never escape. The minimum is hundreds of billions.”

Swallowing the rising panic in his throat, Hansol steadied himself. Overnight—he had become unimaginably wealthy.

…

Before he could even process that, countless system windows burst into the air—piling on top of each other, scrolling endlessly until reading became impossible. Ignoring the chaotic flood, Hansol opened his status window instead.

The first thing he noticed was his level.

Originally 42—now it was 51.

A nine-level jump from defeating Berthel.

…At this rate, even level 100 is possible.

Not that he wanted another monster like Berthel to appear again. But at this pace, it truly felt achievable.

The enhancement stones… the reward for this time is twelve.

Twelve enhancement stones rested in a corner of his inventory. A huge leap from the single stone he’d earned before.

But after Kassie gave him 281 stones, even twelve now felt small. Ridiculous, considering stones like these shouldn’t even exist in this world.

“Hansol, did you get any new items? I have one.”

“New item? Let me check.”

Kassie, who had approached, whispered softly. He had received something too—likely a reward for defeating Berthel.

Hansol scanned his inventory carefully.

Promotion Stone?

There it was. Similar to an enhancement stone, but different in name.

“You got something? Hansol?”

“Yes. But…”

What was this? A stone that upgraded one’s class? Classes usually referred to Hunter professions.

“Good. I thought I was the only one, but you received it too.”

Kassie smiled softly, saying he would try using it once they returned. Then he turned away without probing further.

Was Kassie’s reward the same—this ‘Promotion Stone’? Unlike Hansol, he seemed to have no doubts, walking away lightly as ever.