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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: The Focal Point in Hell - 1
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- ...Sergeant Lee Hyun-wook, are you certain?
Kim Kang-seok's voice flowed from the Mana Messenger, laced with an astonishment he couldn't conceal.
- Are you sure the object you eliminated was a 'Corrosion Factor'?
He had trusted Lee Hyun-wook completely, enough to form the Steel Company and commit them to the operation, but the fact remained that the wave was a catastrophe beyond their means. As useful as Lee Hyun-wook's Steel Rain was, it wasn't a panacea. So, while he held out hope, he hadn't allowed himself to expect too much...
And yet, he had just received a report that the first Corrosion Factor had been eliminated in a single day.
That was why he was asking again and again, just in case he had misheard.
Lee Hyun-wook answered with confidence.
"Yes, sir, I confirmed it. I identified a World Stone-type Corrosion Factor burrowing into the ground and destroyed it. A system message confirming the destruction of the World Stone appeared immediately after."
If he saw a system message, then unless he was lying, it was certain.
Kim Kang-seok finally let out a hollow laugh.
It was a laugh that went beyond admiration to the point of disbelief.
- Sergeant Lee Hyun-wook, I've always trusted you... but it seems my faith wasn't strong enough.
"Not at all, sir. There are still three more left. I'll stay sharp and carry out the mission."
- Good. Also, the 'Assault Company' from Brigade Headquarters will be making a move soon.
It seemed the Brigade Headquarters, commanded by General Choi Jeong-cheol, had finally cleared the gates that had opened within their barracks.
In truth, clearing four gates in a single day was an incredibly successful response.
It was just that Lee Hyun-wook's 1st Battalion had been overwhelmingly faster...
'If the Brigade Commander's personal Assault Company is mobilized, they'll be a huge help in the final battle.'
The Assault Company was a unit the size of three to four Assault Platoons, the 3rd Anti-Demon Brigade's greatest asset.
They would be helpful during the 'additional event' that occurred after eliminating three or more Corrosion Factors.
"Yes, sir. I understand. Then I will continue independent operations until further orders."
- Of course. You're the best we have right now, so do as you see fit. Ah, is there anything else you need?
"Nothing at the moment, but I'll request supplies immediately if we run short."
- Right. The Brigade Commander also said he would give the Steel Company his full support. We'll mobilize transport aircraft and send whatever you need right away, so don't hesitate to use everything you've got.
"Understood."
After the report concluded, Lee Hyun-wook checked his watch.
- 01:06
Having fought almost nonstop since the previous dawn, they desperately needed rest.
But there was one urgent matter to attend to.
"We need to find anyone who took the Beastification Potion. Gather all the Priest Players."
Lee Hyun-wook worked with Lee Jeong-jun's group and the Station Guard to gather as many priests as possible and screen for those afflicted by the beastification curse. Fortunately, the process didn't take as long as expected.
When they narrowed it down to those who had been in contact with the Sanctuary Caretaker, there were only a few.
After that was done, he ordered everyone to sleep.
It was 1:40 in the morning.
Only then did the members of the Steel Company finally sprawl out in the station's hallways and try to get some sleep.
But as they say, love blooms and babies are born even on the battlefield.
With men and women clustered together, whispers and giggles could be heard from somewhere...
"Hey! If you don't sleep, I can put you to sleep myself, so please shut your traps..."
After Kim Se-hee cursed and spat out a few words, it quickly fell silent.
***
At 2:50 AM, Lee Hyun-wook had volunteered for sentry duty and was sitting in the station's security office.
He needed to finalize the next day's operational route.
He also needed to take every opportunity to review his abilities.
'If I don't have a clear grasp of my own level, my judgment could falter in battle.'
That's why Lee Hyun-wook had a habit of reading through his stats whenever he rested.
- Currently Controllable 'Metal' Weight: 78,658g
* Transcendental Sense (+30%) is active.
* Iron Bones (+10%) is active.
'Just as I thought, another additional effect has been applied.'
Iron Bones, Stage 1. It was the power of 'Morglay.'
Morglay's first skill, 'Iron Bones,' was a 'passive skill' that didn't just boost physical abilities but increased overall power. In Lee Hyun-wook's case, his 'Metal Control' also fell into that category of power.
'With this, I've gained a full 40% boost to my control.'
After checking his abilities, he took out his military PDA and looked at a map of Seoul.
'There are a total of four Corrosion Factors in the Seoul Wave Zone. I just destroyed one. And if history proceeds as it should, the Anyang Duo will take care of the one in Yeonsinnae, so I don't need to worry about that.'
One of the four Corrosion Factors was scheduled to be handled by the so-called 'Anyang Duo.'
'In that case... next is Gangnam.'
And it was there that the God-Slaying Weapon, 'Mistilteinn,' lay dormant.
The Villains would be the first to try and get it. He had to get there quickly and beat them to it.
Just then, Kim Se-hee appeared at the end of the hallway.
She trudged over, letting out a huge yawn.
"Sergeant Kim, sneaking off somewhere alone again?"
"To the bathroom. Why, wanna be my battle buddy and come with?"
She scowled and shot back.
"No... I just wondered if you were going to pick a fight with your spirit."
"...Just don't go accepting things from strangers just because you're tired at dawn."
Even though Lee Hyun-wook was effectively the company commander, she refused to lose a single exchange.
'Yep, with a personality like that, I can see her cursing out and fighting a spirit.'
Lee Hyun-wook shook his head and went back to studying the map.
But Kim Se-hee, having returned from the bathroom, came up beside Lee Hyun-wook.
Water dripped from her face as if she had just washed it.
"...What is it?"
"I'm on watch next. Didn't you know?"
"Hmm, you still have some time."
Without replying, Kim Se-hee leaned against the wall and sighed.
"...No one died."
"What?"
"During this operation, nobody died. I'm saying you did a good job commanding."
Unsure what she meant, Lee Hyun-wook just nodded blankly as Kim Se-hee continued.
"But yesterday... nineteen of our company members died. To those bastards."
The Five Butchers had slaughtered the 5-minute rapid response team.
And then the skeletons had ambushed them, and a good number had lost their lives.
Even Lee Hyun-wook hadn't been able to prevent that.
"Shit...."
Looking at her again, her face was etched with exhaustion.
Despite her small, pretty appearance, she had a personality that was not just strong-willed but downright rough.
Still, it seemed losing her comrades had been a significant shock.
"...So, from now on, make it so no one else dies. Like this."
"Well, of course. That's the goal."
"If you can just do that... I'll trust and follow you to the end."
She said this with her head bowed, staring at the ground.
It was obvious she wasn't the type to say such things.
But perhaps the grueling battle was making her waver, whether she knew it or not...
'Well, she's an incredible woman, but she's still only in her early twenties...'
Lee Hyun-wook turned off the PDA and looked up at Kim Se-hee.
"Of course, I'll do my best to ensure no one dies... but there will be times when someone's death is unavoidable."
His answer was far too realistic.
Lee Hyun-wook had once harbored the same wish as Kim Se-hee,
but countless experiences had taught him it was impossible.
***
Dawn broke, and preparations to move began.
But as the A.M.T. prepared to leave, Assemblyman Park Gil-sang and his cronies looked rather pleased.
After being subdued for a while, they were now gathered together, whispering amongst themselves and flashing greasy smiles.
'...If I just leave them be, they'll definitely cause trouble. They're a liability.'
The wave lockdown was only five days, but the rescue process would inevitably take much longer.
They had to clear the monsters dominating the streets to secure the area, then start rescuing people from the outskirts inward. As such, people might have to survive in this shelter for months...
'They're planning to turn this shelter into their own little kingdom and live in luxury until the wave is over.'
In any case, it seemed they couldn't give up on their abuse of power.
But Lee Hyun-wook had no intention of letting them run rampant.
He called the guard captain aside.
"Captain, as you've heard, we'll be leaving at dawn."
"Yes, thank you so much for everything. And about that time... I apologize."
The guard captain blushed and bowed his head.
It was because he had briefly doubted the A.M.T.'s abilities and acted skeptically.
"I truly... I never dreamed you were all so incredible."
"Not at all."
Lee Hyun-wook gave an awkward smile and got to the point.
"However... I'm worried another problem might arise after we leave. Have you seen anyone who was particularly close to the Sanctuary Caretaker, who was in constant contact with him?"
"Huh? D-don't tell me, you think he had an accomplice...?"
The guard captain recalled the Sanctuary Caretaker, Gong Hyeon-jun, and his horrific plan, swallowing dryly.
If not for the A.M.T., everyone in this shelter would have become food for the Hell Rats.
"No, not necessarily, but we should consider the possibility."
"Hmm, I'm not sure. We barely spoke before the wave started..."
Just then, Lee Hyun-wook moved closer to him and spoke in a whisper.
"Actually, it's not certain, but I heard something from the Sanctuary Caretaker."
"...Yes?"
"When I subdued him, he told me that if I spared him, I would earn the favor of a very important person. An important person in this shelter would be, hmm...."
"Gasp! A-Assemblyman Park Gil-sang? My god...."
Of course, this was a complete lie, a form of slander.
'But sometimes, you have to act cunningly.'
If he let himself be bound by morality, he wouldn't be able to handle a single person like Park Gil-sang, let alone the Villains.
Lee Hyun-wook knew all too well that this was just how the world worked.
The guard captain's face had already turned shades of red and purple.
"Damn it! I knew that man was rotten to the core from the start—!"
The fact that he was convinced before even considering the facts suggested he already harbored ill feelings.
After all, he and his subordinates were victims who had drunk that very coffee, so it was only natural for him to be emotional...
"Of course, it's not certain. The Sanctuary Caretaker might have just blurted it out because he wanted to live."
"Hoo... That may be, but he's definitely a shady character in many ways. I've been watching him."
"Yes, I can see that."
"That bastard, the number of people he turned away from the shelter door..."
The guard captain shook his head with a bitter expression.
It seemed he had unwillingly complied under pressure.
"Right now, all authority in this shelter rests with you, Captain. Don't forget that."
"...You're right."
The conversation ended there.
The guard captain stormed off as if he had made a decision.
And immediately, he had Park Gil-sang's group disarmed and quarantined.
It seemed some pent-up anger had finally exploded.
"...You people are making a big mistake!"
Park Gil-sang screamed his lungs out, but the guard captain didn't even blink.
"No, you're the one who made the big mistake! You think things will be different after the wave ends? We'll testify to the evil deeds you've committed. Your political career is over!"
Bewilderment bloomed on Park Gil-sang's face.
"Wh-what? What the hell did I do to deserve this?"
"Shit, where do I even start? First of all, do you know how many refugees you refused to let into the shelter? I was an idiot who couldn't even talk back to someone like you, but not anymore!"
"You... do you have any proof of that?"
Instantly, resentful cries erupted from all sides.
"We heard you told them not to let us in!"
"That's right! We saw all your scheming from inside!"
"Damn you— How is someone like you an assemblyman!"
He may have thought his misdeeds were subtle, but in a shelter this cramped, rumors were bound to spread quickly. It was especially inevitable now that Lee Jeong-jun's group, who held a grudge against them, had returned.
I guess no matter how much you pretend, if you're rotten on the inside, things will never end well...
As accusations rained down on him from all sides, Park Gil-sang's face turned crimson up to his neck.
A can of tuna flew from somewhere and struck him on the head.
"Ack!"
He shouted something, but it was drowned out by the fierce outcry of the citizens.
He eventually slammed the office door—his quarantine area—shut behind him.
And the guards sealed the entrance with a magic barrier.
Lee Hyun-wook watched the scene and let out a hollow laugh.
'It's a bit extreme, but well, it's for the best.'
If Park Gil-sang had continued to exercise his twisted authority, the shelter could have been endangered.
Meanwhile, during the commotion, the Steel Company finished its preparations to move out.
"Sergeant Lee Hyun-wook, we're ready."
Lee Hyun-wook went outside and inspected the formation, scanning the line.
'Good. They've grown dramatically stronger in just one day.'
Now, with Lee Jeong-jun's group joining them, they had three more vehicles, bringing the convoy to a total of thirteen.
Not only did this add the strength of eighteen more Players, but the individual levels of the company members had also risen significantly. Furthermore, after several battles, their experience and judgment would have improved as well.
'And most importantly, the effect of the Divine Blessing is incredible.'
The event buff they received right after hunting the swarm of Hell Rats. Lee Hyun-wook checked its details.
- The event buff 'Divine Blessing' is active for this party.
1) All weapons are imbued with 'Holy Power.'
2) Natural healing is greatly increased. (+50%)
3) Grants 'Resistance' to dark-type curses below a certain level.
'This is... for the 4th Wave, at least a twofold increase in combat power.'
Since the main monsters of the 4th Wave were 'dark attribute,' it was like they had obtained the perfect weapons.
And with this, it seemed they could afford to be a bit more aggressive.
Meanwhile, the massive greatsword 'Morglay' was strapped to the roof of the command vehicle.
He would be able to launch this 55kg greatsword like a cannon at anything that blocked their path.
'Now, even if something like a Zombie Troll appears, we won't have to stop to deal with it.'
Lee Hyun-wook checked the knots one last time before boarding the command vehicle.
Then he picked up the walkie-talkie.
"All units, move out."
At his short command, the vehicles that had been warming their engines began to move, one by one.
Vrooooom—
The long, solid convoy advanced westward, into the silent heart of Seoul.
But at that moment...
- (!) A quest has arrived.
"What's this?"
That system message appeared before the eyes of everyone in the convoy.
[Event Quest]
- Disaster Expedition, Unfurl the Sails and into the Darkness...
1) Eliminate as many 'Corrosion Factors' as possible. (In Progress)
2) Eliminate as many 'Dark Attribute' monsters as possible! (In Progress)
3) Rescue as many 'Civilians' as possible! (In Progress)
* Reward: Will be distributed according to performance.
"What... is this?"
To Park Jun-mo's question, Lee Hyun-wook smiled.
"...An opportunity in a crisis."
As always, a difficult trial was bound to hide a sweet reward.
"We advance, wiping out every monster we see."
***
"...Yes, please. If we don't step up now, when will we?"
Inside her office, Kang Seo-yoon paced anxiously as she spoke on the phone.
"Right. We're doing our best now, but honestly... we have to prepare for the aftermath. That's why I got Gordon to promise support with four airships. Yes, if the corrosion progresses, we plan to enter with magic bombardment... and intercept those damn 'Corrosion Objects.' That's the best we can do."
She was requesting a post-disaster recovery operation from the secret organization she belonged to, .
But the response from Guardian's side was lukewarm.
"...Ah— I know that already!"
They were people who resisted the disasters created by this game, but they weren't the unrealistic type of heroes who, filled with a sense of justice, would leap into the fire without a second thought.
Instead, like businessmen, they meticulously calculated profit and loss when planning their secret operations. In that respect, the majority opinion was to conserve their strength and prepare for the future rather than respond to the wave.
Because responding to past waves had resulted in enormous sacrifices,
and those sacrifices had significantly diminished Guardian's power.
Kang Seo-yoon was now hearing that same logic once again over the phone.
Her face grew redder, and her breathing became quick and ragged.
"...Are you f—! Is that something you should be saying? What do you mean, change my nationality? For Seoul, I've even put up a legendary item! I'm going to hand over something that costs as much as an aircraft carrier—!"
Just then, the door burst open.
Kang Seo-yoon scowled and lowered the phone.
She was on edge, as she was in the middle of a confidential conversation.
"Pant— Pant— Director Kang...."
The person who entered was the Emergency Communications Officer.
But for some reason, his expression was filled with urgency.
"...Officer, what is it?"
"It's...."
"I'm on a call, so spit it out!"
"...News that a Corrosion Factor has been taken down."
"What?"
Kang Seo-yoon shot up from her seat, startled.
And she hung up the phone.
"Wh-wh-wh-who on earth—!"
The Emergency Communications Officer caught his breath and nodded.
It was time to deliver even more surprising news.
"It's the A.M.T.! The 1st Battalion located at Namsan that I mentioned earlier, their troops did it!"
"What? The A.M.T.? H-how... No, that's not what's important, hoo—!"
She took a deep breath and left the office with the officer.
"Officer, is this information confirmed? No, forget confirmation, we don't have time! Announce it immediately, focusing on all reachable Players in the Wave Zone! We only have three days left!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
"This is our only hope! A beacon of hope to rally around has just been born! And to appear by shattering a Corrosion Factor... Good, now we can completely change the tide."
Yes, even if some high-grade, high-level big shot appeared and offered to lead the charge, most Players in the Wave Zone would likely still try to save their own skin.
But news that someone had actually eliminated a Corrosion Factor was on a completely different level.
It offered tangible possibility—in other words, it gave them courage...
Hopeful news was about to be broadcast to the entire world.
And one more thing...
"Ah, announce this as well. Publicize both inside and outside the Wave Zone that the legendary-grade reward offered by the Guild is 'Gáe Bolg'."
"M-my goodness...."
"Yes, they'll be drooling. They'll all want to get their hands on the weapon that killed the 'Twin-Headed Ogre Champion' in a single blow during the 'Gwangmyeong Ogre Battle'..."
Gáe Bolg,
that single spear, said to be worth more than an aircraft carrier, was about to ignite the embers of hope.
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