Chapter 912 - Far from home (Patreon)

POV Elisabeth Jonas, First Contact Specialist for the National Office for Returnee Affairs (NORA)

I quickly finish the carac I am eating, thinking that if there is something to die for, it is this. Or at least until next week when I discover something better.

My assistant rushes behind me as I wipe my fingers with a wet tissue and hand it to her, as well. She instantly hands it to some poor NORA employee nearby, but I do not mind. That is how things should be.

Before stepping into the cottage with a way too stunning view, I stop myself and fix my clothes a little. Then I take a deep breath and enter with a smile.

No matter how many times I meet him, the returnee Rafael Vaughn always takes my breath away. Some time ago I saw his recordings and social media photos from before the tutorial, but their vibe is very different from how he is now.

He has that air around him of a person used to dealing with powerful people who listen to him. Returnee Rafael Vaughn is far from being the most powerful, but he is quick-witted, charming, and has the right connections. And let us be honest: being so handsome that his stalkers are arrested every other day does not hurt a thing.

“I am happily married,” I say out loud, not sure if I am reminding him or myself.

“I know, Elisabeth, and you also already showed me photos of your young son. The last time you mentioned him, he'd just started getting into athletics?”

I nod quickly. “I want him to develop his athleticism before I sign him up for martial arts and the prototype classes that should help him once he starts leveling.”

“That is very smart of you. I guess the preparation for the integration program is going well, then?”

“It is,” I confirm and sit on the plastic monobloc chair opposite him with the table between us. “Christoph will be coming?”

“He is a very busy man, Elisabeth, but rest assured that my words directly reflect his. I have already met with the Vice President, the Returnee Guild Coalition, and a few important people. NORA is the last remaining.”

“So why here near Geneva? I will not complain much as I plan to explore Switzerland a bit after all this, but it got me curious.”

At my words, he nods with a smile, though a hint of awkwardness slips into his demeanor. “I do not like to linger on this, so I will get straight to the point. Christoph will make his main headquarters here and will be taking over CERN entirely.”

I blink a few times. I shake my head, trying to grasp it and filter out all the jokes I want to say in reaction to that, deciding this requires a bit more serious disposition from me.

“Is it because of the moon?” I ask carefully.

“As far as I know, yes. Christoph will be handing everyone working here specialized blueprints to overhaul the Large Hadron Collider. He plans to integrate mana inscriptions, exotic materials emerging from across Earth, components harvested from the monsters he hunted down, and additional supplies we buy off the black market from groups currently clearing dungeons.”

“I cannot imagine the Swiss or Europeans liking it.”

“You would be surprised. There are Swiss people who like the fact Christoph was born there. Did you know they are already making documentaries about him? But you are correct, most people do not like it. Especially the increased budget all this will require.”

“Out of curiosity, by how much?”

“Ten to one hundred times more than it is now.”

“But it is nothing you would not be able to get, correct?” I take a bonbon from the small bowl on the table, then two more, and throw them into my mouth. My mind calms down when I feel sugar enter my system, and I look toward Rafael.

Forcefully, I take my eyes off his handsome, smiling face and take in the rest of him. His formal, yet not stiff suit-like clothes. A very nice pale blue polo shirt that makes me curious if the material it is made of is worth my monthly salary, sleek pants, and even a few things that I think are items brought from the tutorial. According to the reports, he should have some from Hard difficulty attendees. These, I am sure, are worth more than my lifetime salary.

Rafael waits patiently, observing me in the same way I do him. I can see it in his blue eyes, and like everyone else, I am aware of his perfect memory.

It is no surprise he was chosen as a herald by the most powerful man in the history of Earth.

“People like to complain, but they are often doing it just for show and for their voters. Behind the scenes, they often agree immediately, and just ask for access to our healers, help with leveling up, knowledge, and such.” There is gentleness in his voice. “How very human, is it not?”

Sliding a tablet over to me with an open document detailing various plans and contracts, he continues, “Naturally, some people realize Christoph considers this necessary to save us from the moon, which you have surely noticed has begun to crumble. Others think it is merely an excuse for whatever he is planning behind the scenes, but who really knows.”

“Christoph, maybe?”

At my question, his smile widens, revealing the dimples on his cheeks as he nods. “Probably him. But even if all that is not enough, they know he could take it all by force. Everyone saw what he did in North Korea, Texas, and Russia.”

Hearing him name those places brings back memories of the classified satellite and drone footage, that man obliterating everything in his path, his figure rising from the center of a nuclear explosion, and even halting radioactive fallout entirely.

It was back when multiple Hard difficulty attendees, in cooperation with certain organisations, meticulously planned assassinations using specially engineered weapons and other complex methods. As they all tried to stop him, saying it must be done before it was too late, labeling him a dictator.

They should have been smarter. If they knew what I knew, if they had seen the classified files I have seen, they would not have even bothered trying.

Though, as I look at Rafael and his smile, I still think it is possible people would try, even knowing the chance is so abysmal. There are organizations that believe simply removing Christoph from the picture will open a way for them to fill his spot.

All this mess when the Hell difficulty returnees have not even started appearing yet, and the process of Pairing has just begun.

Once again, I take multiple bonbons and stuff them into my mouth, crunching them under my teeth before I smile at Rafael. “Well, what are we waiting for? Let us violate a dozen treaties that would at any other time get us dragged to an international tribunal, and give that man what he wants.”

POV Leader of the Thalassan Long-Range Recon Detachment, Kaelen

This forest is not all that different from the ones on Thalassa, but its sounds are unfamiliar. Flying creatures fill the air with constant calls, and even the sunlight carries a strange, foreign glow.

I give the signal and the unit moves out. I watch as the tear Lord Champion Malakor held open for us seals shut. Even he cannot maintain it any longer, and at this stage of the Pairing, only those below level 100 can squeeze through, and only with immense effort from someone like Lord Champion.

“We have a single week until the tear reopens for twenty-four hours, so stay sharp! Their Hard difficulty returnees are beginning to complete their tutorials, and if we run into them, it will get ugly. Remember your mandate, we are here to scout and gather intelligence for the primary assault forces!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Good, keep your mana low!” I give the order as I open a map from a mana stone on the necklace I wear to decide the way we should head.

After sending our scout ahead, we carefully pass through this familiar yet so alien forest.

Only ten or so minutes pass when the scout returns to the unit, “Native ahead, roughly a mile off,” he whispers. “Zero mana signature and unarmed. He's just sitting on a fallen tree, watching the scenery.”

Recalling our briefs, I quickly conclude he is likely a local hiker or tourist. We landed out in the wilderness, but civil infrastructure isn't far off.

“Are you sure there is no mana signature?”

“Yes, sir, I even used the telescope the Lord Champion gave us.”

“Good. We approach and pretend we belong here, just like him. Conceal your items and suppress all active skills. We gather whatever intelligence he has, then eliminate him and dispose of the remains.”

A wave of agreement sounds from the six other members of the unit. I make sure to check them and their clothes, which are made to resemble Earth's style, and nod as we continue.

As we break through the treeline, the man turns to us and waves with a warm smile. Crossing paths with a stranger isn't a cause for concern on this world, it seems. What a careless species. What a naive planet.

I put on a smile and wave back to him. Before stepping closer to join him, I turn and take in the view. With the sun slowly falling behind the horizon, the golden shine indeed is beautiful, especially as it lights the sides of the mountains, the forests, and a smaller city nearby.

“Name’s Christoph,” the native offers with a quick smile. “Out enjoying nature as well?”

The others from my group greet him the same way I do and pretend to be tired, putting down their backpacks and resting.

“You could say that, Christoph. I am John, and this is my group. We are training for a difficult hike we will go on in a few months.”

“Hello, John,” he replies, his smile never fading. “Is it rude if I ask if there is a specific spot you’re planning to hike to?”

“Not at all! Tour du Mont Blank,” I answer, naming one of the places from our gathered intel.

“Oh, I hope you do not plan to hike there all the way from here in Colorado,” he chuckles.

It makes my tension rise as I expect another question, but he just shakes his head. “Pretty, is it not?” he asks as he looks at the view once again.

“It is,” I confirm honestly before asking him curiously, “Are you alone?”

“Yes, it is one of my pleasures to take walks alone. There are times when I just want to get away from people. Sometimes it allows you to meet interesting people with stories to tell. Sometimes you even meet people from your homeland in places you would not expect.”

“Homeland?” I repeat, playing off a light, friendly chuckle while subtly glancing at my second-in-command, Vael. “Colorado is a big state, but I doubt any of us are local. Where are you originally from, Christoph?”

“Oh, quite a bit far away from here,” he says smoothly, leaning back on the weathered bark. “Though I suppose distance is a relative thing depending on the path you take to get here?”

I stiffen slightly, but keep my smile firmly pinned in place. Just a coincidence. He has zero mana signature, our Lord Champion’s specialized telescope does not lie. He is just an ordinary native rambling on about travel.

“Distance is always relative when you have a long way to go,” I offer smoothly, taking a slow step closer to him. “Do many people come out this far into the woods this late? We were hoping to avoid the crowds.”

“Not many,” Christoph replies, picking up a small stone, tossing it up, and catching it. “Most turn back when the sun hits the ridge. They do not like being out when the light changes and the shadows get long. People tend to feel... vulnerable... when they realize they are in an environment they do not fully understand.”

Vael shifts his weight behind me, his hand hovering an inch above his concealed blade. I give him a small nod, telling him to wait a while longer.

I do not like this man.

“Is that so?” I laugh. “Well, luckily, my group is pretty well-prepared for any environment. We like to think we can handle whatever comes our way.”

Christoph turns his head slowly, his eyes locking onto mine. The golden light of the setting sun catches his gray irises, casting a strange, almost metallic sheen across them.

His smile does not fade, but it grows a fraction wider. “If you say so.”

Christoph nods, standing up from the log with slow, fluid ease. He stretches his arms, turning his back to us completely as he looks back out over the glowing valley.

He is completely exposed. Carrying no weapons, wearing no armor. His back turned to seven trained scouts of Thalassa.

“Say, Christoph,” I ask softly, sliding my hand toward my waist where my hidden dagger is. “One last thing... Do you happen to know if there are any military outposts or surveillance stations near this ridge?”

Christoph does not turn around, but I see him shaking his head, and I turn to my left to gesture an attack.

Before anyone can move, a huge red arm slams down, splatting against Vael and turning him into a pile no thicker than a coin.

Everyone else explodes into movement and uses their mana, but in mere moments that red arm pulls back, showing it belongs to a red half-figure with a nearly smooth surface with just hints of a face.

As the light weakens with the sun falling behind the horizon, the figure grows and reaches from the forest. It swats one of us, sending his body flying far into the distance. It splats another flat, smashing him into the ground twice in a display of terrifying rage. It launches a third, sending his body crashing against a nearby boulder, and drags a fourth into the dark woods, where his screams stop with a sharp crunch. Still moving impossibly fast, it hurls a fifth into the air, his body landing as a pile of broken bones and sliding down the mountainside, before ripping the sixth clean in half.

It all passes so quickly that I am only able to stand here and watch Christoph’s back, who speaks once more.

“It was nice to speak to people from my homeland after such a long time.”

Then that huge red arm moves again, and there is nothing I can do.

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