Ascension Through Skills

Resolving the food crisis. Breeding livestock. Purifying the air.

Taesan devised various other methods as well.

Taesan focused his mind.

“Be constructed.”

Boom!

Pillars rose from the ground. The land warped, twisted, and houses made of soil were formed.

Taesan knocked on one of the houses. Despite applying considerable strength, it did not shake.

“Not bad.”

The people were ecstatic about the houses. They eagerly explored the new homes.

“So spacious!”

The houses made of soil were empty inside.

But even so, the people were satisfied. No longer would their bodies get drenched by rain leaking through the gaps in tent roofs. No longer would they have to endure poorly made tents full of holes that failed to block the wind. They were overjoyed.

Taesan continued to do many things.

He treated the injured and patrolled the city surroundings. The people’s trust in Taesan grew deeper and deeper.

Yet Taesan was not satisfied.

The city had found stability, but only because of him. It was merely a temporary fix.

Simplified cultivation couldn’t be used on contaminated land. The soil first needed purification with divine power or special items. The land available for cultivation was limited.

The current population wasn’t a problem, but if it grew, the story would change. Sooner or later, food would become scarce.

Purifying the air was also impossible without Minerva. Since he couldn’t stay here forever, problems would arise again once he left.

What Taesan wanted wasn’t mere survival but an environment that would continue to grow and thrive. A world that collapses without him held no meaning.

‘What should I do?’

Taesan kept pondering solutions.

Of course, this was only Taesan’s dissatisfaction; the city’s people were greatly satisfied.

The food problem was resolved. Given more time, they could even have meat. The air was purified, and sturdy homes had been built.

This place quickly became a paradise.

“Is there something you need?”

An elderly man, the one Taesan first met, cautiously approached him. Smiling kindly, he handed over a worn-out bowl.

“Take this.”

Inside the bowl was a small piece of bread.

“You shouldn’t have any wheat left.”

“It’s what we had stored. It’s nearly spoiled, but still edible. People used the last of their flour to bake this for you.”

Taesan accepted the bread and placed it in his mouth. The elderly man watched him with a peculiar gaze.

“Are you aware that some people have started calling you a messenger of the gods?”

“I know.”

Divine energy was already flowing into Taesan little by little. Since he had received quests from the gods and came to this place, he didn’t deny it, finding the claim not too far from the truth.

‘Faith, huh.’

A thought flashed through Taesan’s mind.

As he organized his thoughts, the old man spoke again.

“Are you… truly a messenger of the gods?”

But the elder swallowed his words.

Before the world fell, their world had gods who protected them. Everyone worshipped those gods.

But when the monsters appeared, their gods vanished.

Though they were slain by high gods, the people did not know this. They believed their gods had abandoned them.

Other gods appeared to block the monsters’ invasions, but all of them disappeared without a trace once the monsters were gone. Once again, the people felt forsaken.

Under such circumstances, for the gods to send a messenger to save them seemed rather strange.

“Thank you.”

In the end, the elder could only express his gratitude.

“Thanks to you… we have hope.”

The elder knew he wouldn’t live much longer. He had always worried whether his grandson could survive in such a harsh world.

Thanks to Taesan, much of that worry was gone.

“But I’m uneasy.”

The elder muttered with a worried expression.

“If the other cities find out about this, they won’t remain idle.”

He had mentioned it before. There were five cities in total, each ruled by a faction. Apart from the city of the abandoned, the powers were balanced, each in a state of tense opposition.

Taesan asked, “How exactly are they divided?”

“Come to think of it, I didn’t explain in detail before.”

The elder began to explain.

There were five cities in total.

Each city was ruled by a faction.

The Red Incarnate.

The Blue Dew.

Kaleyiat.

The Martial God.

The Forsaken.

“The other cities are in slightly better conditions than this one. They have livestock, albeit few, and some degree of food cultivation.”

Though not substantial, the few could live without worrying about survival.

“And each faction has individuals with special powers.”

“Special powers?”

“Some can manipulate invisible forces, while others have physical capabilities far surpassing ordinary people.”

The elder glanced at Taesan.

“People like you.”

The elder seemed to believe Taesan was one of those people.

Taesan didn’t deny it.

“After the monsters appeared, those with such powers began to emerge.”

Since it happened after the monsters appeared, it was highly likely to be related to the gods. The elder continued.

“Those with such powers dominate ordinary people and treat them as slaves. Those who refuse to accept this or are deemed useless are cast out and end up in this city.”

The elder frowned.

“They… are still opposing each other. Even in this ruined world, they fight for their interests, trying to kill each other. When they should be working together to survive.”

The elder couldn’t understand.

“If they find out about this place… it could be dangerous.”

“Is that so?”

Taesan muttered. His indifferent attitude made the elder’s face grow grim.

“They are immensely powerful. You may possess a special power, but yours is ultimately non-combative.”

Taesan had not demonstrated any combat-related abilities to these people.

At most, he had shown them how to cultivate food and purify the air. Naturally, the people assumed Taesan’s abilities were limited to such domains.

“In contrast, their power is focused on force. They can shatter boulders the size of houses with ease.”

The elder spoke with a tone that emphasized the danger.

“Even you shouldn’t let your guard down. You need to be prepared.”

“Understood.”

Taesan replied.

His persistently disinterested attitude left the elder flustered. Taesan then asked him a question.

“You mentioned five cities. Are there no other survivors?”

When asked if the remaining survivors of this world were limited to the five cities, the elder replied with a bitter expression.

“At least as far as we know, that’s all. Only five cities remain. That’s the reality of this world.”

The elder’s answer was firm.

All the survivors of this world were gathered in these five cities.

Taesan considered a possibility.

Hoo…

A bronze-skinned, muscular man slouched on a plush sofa, exhaling a languid breath.

He was Malbre, the master of the Red Incarnate, one of the five cities.

“How boring.”

He was utterly bored.

It had been a long time since the stalemate between the factions had begun. Unless one side acted first, no conflict would arise.

There were no food issues. As the city’s ruler, he could eat whatever he desired. Many people had died because of it, but he didn’t care.

Though the world was on the brink of destruction, he lived an extraordinarily luxurious life.

For him, this world was better than the one before the fall. Back then, he had been at the bottom of society, a man trudging through a wretched life. But during the world’s collapse, he had suddenly gained immense power.

What could he do to stave off this tedium?

“Perhaps I’ll capture some slaves.”

Pitiful creatures who crawled on the ground without power, yet clung to life like desperate fools.

Still, the emotions they displayed as they died were entertaining to watch.

As Malbre settled on his decision and was about to rise, the ornate door swung open. A man entered.

“What is it?”

“I bring news for Your Majesty.”

The man bowed deeply. It was all because of Malbre’s orders. Malbre demanded to be addressed as emperor and forced those around him to comply. Malbre lifted his chin.

“Speak.”

“I have returned after scouting the other cities, as per your command.”

The man, like Malbre, had gained special powers during the monster invasion. His greatly enhanced speed made him nearly impossible to catch. Malbre had entrusted him with reconnaissance.

“What is the situation in the other cities?”

“Three of the cities showed nothing noteworthy. However… the city of the Abandoned was different.”

“Hmm?”

At the unexpected mention of the Abandoned, Malbre frowned.

The city of the Abandoned. A place where useless people, mere drains on resources, gathered. It was a barren land where survival was impossible, and thus Malbre had ignored it.

“What did you find there?”

The man hesitated to speak. Malbre scowled, urging him on. Finally, the man spoke.

“They were eating corn.”

“…Corn?”

“Not just corn. I also saw watermelons.”

“What?”

Malbre’s eyes widened.

Corn was a rarity in this world. As for watermelons, it had been a long time since he’d even seen one.

“And there wasn’t just a little. Everyone I saw was holding either corn or watermelon.”

“What is this nonsense?”

Malbre’s face twisted. The man quietly added.

“I overheard their conversations in secret. They were saying that a messenger of the gods had descended to them.”

“A messenger of the gods?”

Malbre sneered. He didn’t believe in gods. His strength was entirely his own, and he had defeated monsters through his power alone. While there were events beyond his understanding, he dismissed them all as coincidences.

“Someone with production-oriented powers must have entered the city of the Abandoned.”

Malbre bared his teeth.

“Summon the executives. We’re going to crush the city of the Abandoned.”

“Understood.”

The man replied swiftly.

Upon Malbre’s command, the Red Incarnate’s executives gathered. Malbre addressed them, explaining that someone with the ability to produce food was in the city of the Abandoned. He ordered them to crush the city and bring that person to him.

“If they refuse to obey, you may kill everyone else in the city. But do not harm that person.”

The executives answered in unison.

Malbre stepped outside with his officers. The slaves, who were working with haggard faces, recoiled and hid upon seeing him.

Malbre relished their fear.

He was an emperor.

No one could challenge his power.

Malbre believed this without a shred of doubt.

Before long, Malbre reached the city of the Abandoned.

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