Advent of the Three Calamities

Chapter 828: The Three Calamities [1]

’Yeah, I think I’m actually lost.’

It hadn’t been long since I came back, and I was already lost. The streets were the same, but despite this, a lot of other things weren’t exactly the same as I remembered. My memories of this time were rather hazy, and the more I looked around, the more unfamiliar it felt to me.

’…I think I’ve gotten too used to the world that I’m currently living in.’

Taking a deep breath, I walked along the pedestrian road while looking up.

The sun was dipping down into the horizon, casting an orange hue over the sky. Nestled in between two skyscrapers, alongside a road that ran right towards it, the scene looked breathtaking.

Or at least, would’ve, if not for the massive crack that appeared suspended in the air.

My brows twitched.

Faint memories surfaced in my mind.

’That should be the first signs of the Mirror Dimension.’

It all started with a crack.

That was all I remembered.

Nobody knew what the crack signified, but its presence was enough to make the entire world grow weary.

’I wonder how long until the Mirror Dimension fully takes over this wo—Ukh!’

A sharp pain cut through my mind all of a sudden.

It wasn’t anything serious, but as it happened, several memories surfaced once more, and I stopped in my tracks.

Without even thinking twice, I turned around and headed in the opposite direction.

’I know.’

I picked up the pace.

’…I know where I need to go.’

*

The world after the crack was vastly different from what it had been in the past.

Nations united, and new nations arose.

The city was called New Hope. It was a sprawling metropolis that stood among the most important and influential in the world. This was where most Guilds and powers resided. It was also where most world governments established themselves to manage the global crisis that had taken hold.

The headquarters of the Seven “Gods” stood at the heart of the city.

It was a towering spire, visible from every corner of the city. Its massive frame loomed over the skyline, the sharp tip spearing through the oranged colored clouds that drifted lazily above.

One would think that I’d go there in order to meet myself, but instead, I went to a completely different place.

A place that I was all too familiar with.

[J.D Electronics]

“…..”

I stopped before the building, lifting my head to stare at it as it towered over me.

With over thirty floors, the building was colossal. Its dark metal frame and wide glass windows gave it a cold, corporate feel as my eyes settled on the sliding doors before me.

Without a second thought, I entered the building, entering the familiar reception.

Concealing my presence with [Lament of Lies], I slipped past the security checkpoint and headed for the elevators. Stepping inside, I pressed the [11] button and watched the doors slide shut with a soft chime.

The elevator was quick, and it took no time to arrive at the designated floor.

Ding—

The doors slid open a moment later.

That was also the moment the chaos behind the doors was exposed to me.

“I can assure you that we will offer you the best services possible! Look, listen to me when I say this to you… You can try any other competitor in the market, but they won’t be able to offer the same thing that we have. I can assure you of this with my life.”

“How about this? If you purchase our latest X7 model, I’ll cover the delivery cost. Right at your doorsteps.”

“…Rest assured, our products are the best on the market. It’s verified by the SNNSL. Yes, we’ve got the certificate for it.”

“Warranty? Don’t worry about it. We’ve got you covered for 10 years.”

It was chaos.

Pure chaos.

Papers flew all over the place as people dressed in messy suits paced all over the place, looking through the papers in their hands.

The sharp scent of ink and paper hung in the air, and as I glanced around, a faint smile tugged at my lips.

This smell…

This vibe…

It was exactly as I remembered, as I soon fixed my gaze on a certain figure. He sat in his own cubicle, his phone next to his ear as he wore a pair of glasses to hide his features. But looking at him, I knew.

I knew that it was me, and as if sensing my presence, ’he’ soon turned his head and our eyes locked.

The world seemed to freeze for a moment.

But just for a moment, as he closed his eyes and muttered, “I apologize for the inconvenience, but I won’t be able to attend to you due to a sudden situation. I will now transfer you to one of my colleagues. Like I said, I apologize.”

He hung up a moment later, standing up from the seat and taking his coat with him.

“Huh? Emmet…? You’re leaving early?”

“Emmet? What are you doing?”

“What’s up with you?”

Everyone questioned him, but he just smiled at them, replying, ’Nothing much. I’m just taking a smoke break’, before passing me and heading to the elevators. He didn’t even acknowledge my presence as the elevator doors slid open and he entered.

Knowing myself well, I didn’t say anything and followed him into the elevator.

Just as the elevator doors were about to close, a hand shot forward, stopping them with a sharp thud.

A moment later, a woman with soft blonde hair, freckles, and not-so-pleasing features entered.

“Taking a smoke break?”

The woman looked at Emmet, but he didn’t answer.

As if used to such ’cold shoulder’, she just smiled and leaned back against the end of the elevator.

It was only when the elevator doors closed that the smile slowly faded from her face.

She reached up to loosen her tie, then removed her glasses, revealing a completely different face beneath. Her features were flawless, her soft blonde hair falling down her back as she exposed a pair of golden eyes. One that seemed to resemble a pair of suns.

The moment I caught sight of such eyes, my heart nearly leaped out of my chest.

’Fuck!!’

Memories flooded my mind all of a sudden.

I remember!

Panthea…

She was my fucking co-worker!

“Honestly, I can’t believe you still want to work despite the fact that we’ve got heavier responsibilities. You should look at Toren. He’s younger than you, and yet, he already knows the weight of the situation. He’s practically going around taking most of the responsibilities that should’ve belonged to you.”

“…..”

Emmet remained quiet, his gaze fixed on the digital numbers that marked the floors on which the elevator was.

“Are you going to keep ignoring me?”

Panthea looked annoyed.

“You know that Toren looks up to you a lot, right? Wouldn’t it be better if you mentor him better? He’s still quite young. Even younger than Noel. He’s immature in his own way, and if you don’t guide him properly, he’s going to turn ou—”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Emmet muttered, finally speaking.

But his words weren’t ones that Panthea desired as she frowned.

“What do you mean, it doesn’t matter? Of course it matters! You, of all people, should understand the power and potential that Toren holds. You and I both know how much we’re limited in our strength. He’s our greatest hope in defeating ’them’!”

“…You think so?”

Emmet looked at her, and then, for just the briefest of moments, he turned his gaze towards me.

It was only for a short moment, and soon his gaze moved away.

Leaning back against the elevator, he continued the conversation, “Even if I were to mentor Toren, it wouldn’t change a thing.”

“Why do you say that?”

“…Because the power will corrupt every one of us.”

“Ha.”

Panthea covered her face, mumbling things like, ’The only reason I’m not beating you up is because I love you. Fucking, why did I end up liking a guy like this?’

Eventually, she shook her head.

“You always say this, but it has yet to happen. Maybe it’s true, but that’s more reason why we should mentor him. Help him keep his sanity and prevent the power from corroding his mind.”

“…Maybe.”

That was all Emmet could answer with after a short pause.

This made Panthea’s expression twist. For a moment, it almost looked like she wanted to strangle him, but before she could do so, the elevator stopped and the doors started to open.

Without a moment of hesitation, she placed her glasses back on and fixed her tie.

“This conversation isn’t over.”

The doors closed a moment later, carrying on until they stopped again.

Ding!

A flight of stairs greeted us as soon as the doors opened, leading up to a metal door at the top. We climbed the steps, and when Emmet pushed the door open, a rush of cold wind swept over us. Beyond it lay a large and empty area.

Buildings towered around us as Emmet closed the door behind him and walked towards the end, reaching onto the marble railing and taking out a box of cigarettes while staring hazily in the direction of the cars beneath.

It was also that moment that I cancelled [Lament of Lies] and appeared before him.

He… Or to be more precise, ’me’, extended his hand to display a pack of cigarettes.

“Cigarettes?”

I shook my head.

“I don’t smoke.”

“Really…?”

I thought for a moment before shaking my head, “At times, but I’d rather not.”

“Well, fine.”

Lighting up the cigarette with a regular lighter, Emmet took a drag of the cigarette, allowing the smoke to filter through the air.

*Puff*

He stood motionless, quietly savoring the cigarette before muttering, “You’ve finally encountered one of them?”

My expression froze for a second.

For a moment, I was almost about to ask, ’How did you know?’, but I soon remembered who I was talking to, and smiled bitterly.

“Yes.”

“…I see.”

*Puff*

Emmet took another drag of the cigarette, his eyes turning even hazier.

Eventually, he muttered a single word or name.

“Akhyrn.”

The moment he did, the world appeared to come to a steady halt; the cars beneath and the clouds in the sky froze completely.

Not a moment later…

Cra Crack—!

The crack in the sky expanded, and a terrifying energy filtered through the surroundings.

One that I felt was vaguely familiar.

*Puff*

Without seemingly any care, Emmet took another drag of the cigarette in his hand before muttering.

“…The Third Calamity.”