Black Umi are simple undead creatures, almost like zombies. There are so many of them that people call them the seaweed of the Crimson Ocean. They pose only one threat: a single touch drains every drop of water from a human body.
Aside from that deadly touch, Black Umi are slow and easy to read. With his experience, Attack Speed passive, and spear mastery, Ace tore through the first wave like scissors through paper. His spear glided around him as he shifted stances, landing either precise cuts or wide slashes—moves already a step past human limits.
[Spear Proficiency (V)
— Node – Javelin: Improves spear throws.
— Node – Quick Recovery: Speeds stance shifts after spear actions.
— Node – Balanced Grip: Reduces hand fatigue and improves control.
— Node – Reinforced Shaft: Increases durability and impact.
— Node – Enhanced Reach: Extends strike range.]
Thanks to the extra nodes he earned back on Earth, Ace became the first human to push his spear skills beyond human limits. Any spear in his hands hit harder, lasted longer, and reached farther. Paired with his boosted Attack Speed and near‑perfect aim, every strike landed with crushing force. Monsters fell in heaps behind him.
While most humans still struggled with this new reality, the talent of a few future rankers bloomed. Among them was Chaewon. Following Geomdo—a Korean sword art inspired by kendo that she had practiced since childhood—she cut down monsters one steady swing at a time. She wasn’t as fast as Ace, but her strokes stayed clean and relentless.
"Please, watch those grabs! One touch will drop you! If you’re caught, call for a bishop! You’ve got this!" Chaewon shouted.
She guarded a wide arc around Mercer and Marko, then shouted tips to every nearby fighter, passing along what she’d learned from Ace. The Don Capo Gang echoed her warnings, though the boys kept their main focus on fighting beside Ace and sticking to his plan.
Ace noticed Chaewon’s kindness.
It’s so like her... I’m locked on getting out alive with the best rewards. I can’t save everyone, but with my intel maybe a few talents live and Earth’s odds change. I’ll let Chaewon handle the rescuing.
Living in a world of gates and monsters wasn’t new to Ace, but that world had lacked the close communities and comforts he’d enjoyed for three short months before the Gates’ descent. The population had thinned fast back there; if knowing the future could prevent that, fine. He passed the duty to Chaewon, who was glad to help.
I’ll focus on leveling up and protecting the people who matter. Alex surprised me today.
Alex raised the steel shield he’d pulled from Rook’s Starter Kit and planted himself in front of the group. With his Provocation skill, he drew monsters to claw at the shield while his courage held the line. He was the first to follow Ace’s lead and pulled others in behind him. The rest of the Don Capo Gang stabbed and slashed past his cover.
Ace stepped back, spun, and hurled his spear. It flew like a javelin and skewered four Black Umi heads in a row.
"That’s how you skewer ’em!" Alex yelled, grinning. "That’s our Don Capo!"
Ace yanked the spear free and clapped Alex’s shoulder. "Keep it up, Alex."
A white prompt popped in Alex’s vision.
[You have received an invitation to Ace Avalanche’s Sixteen.]
"What’s the Sixteen?" Alex asked.
"Rankers’ve gotta build or join a Sixteen," Ace said, eyes flicking toward the crimson horizon. "Mine’s sixteen, counting me. Some dungeons open once you’re official."
Like the Crimson Shrine of the Drowned, Ace thought.
"I’m in, Don Capo! Obviously!" Tears threatened, but Alex blinked them back.
[Alex Belvaro has joined your Sixteen.]
"Focus," Ace ordered, snapping Alex back to work.
The first wave finally fell. All around, dried‑out corpses lay scattered along the shore, little more than bones wrapped in cracked skin. Survivors either sank to their knees in exhaustion or propped themselves on their weapons, still on guard.
[The First Wave of Black Umi has been defeated.]
[The Blessing of the Crimson Shore will now begin.]
A soft crimson light rolled across the beach. It felt warm, not blinding. When it faded, loot lay at every dead monster’s feet: potions, clothing, armor, weapons, and more.
Ace narrowed his eyes. Time for humans to become monsters themselves.