Ascension Through Skills

Chapter 371: 77th Floor, The World On The Brink Of Destruction (3)

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.

“Wow!”

“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. ⱤАNȫ₿ЕȘ

‘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.

“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.