Chapter 101
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: Okinawa, Unlucky Event - Part 1
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‘This is, frankly... incredible.’
Lee Hyun-wook thought to himself as he examined the system message before him.
He had just, finally, absorbed the 'Magneta Crust Piece'.
As a result, two of his major skills had 'Ranked Up' simultaneously.
He headed to Kang Jeong-du's workshop to test these skills.
"Director, how many AD-1s do you have ready?"
"Ah, we were just in the middle of developing the second model!"
The AD-2, the successor to the AD-1, was in the works.
"I'd like to test one out. Could you get it ready for me?"
"Yes, of course."
A moment later, he stood before an AD-2 in the warehouse.
It was still a prototype, so there were no major advancements in its core functions.
However, its durability had been significantly improved with an adamant alloy.
‘During the last battle, many AD-1s were easily shot down by Molech's Incarnation and the Shadow Baron's attacks... and of all things, it had to be caught on camera.’
Enemies targeting Lee Hyun-wook would, in all likelihood, aim for the airdrop devices first. That was why he had requested durability improvements as a top priority, and the adamant sent from Red Hole Village became the material for it.
'...Anyway, shall I test the skills?’
The first skill that had been upgraded was <Aether Engine>.
[Skill Information]
- Name: Aether Engine
- Rank: B
- Effect
1) Mana Heart: Increases total mana. (+150,000) Increases mana recovery rate. (+1,500%)
2) Mana Transfer: Allows you to grant 'mana' to a Player or a 'controllable target'.
3) Mana Link: Allows you to 'synchronize' with the mana circuit of a mana transfer target.
* The skill rank will improve when hidden conditions are met.
‘Nice. It was originally D-Rank, but it jumped all the way to B-Rank in one go.’
The Magneta Crust Piece was a mass of near-infinite mana, making it a top-tier material for a mana engine. It was only natural that it would affect <Aether Engine>, and the skill's effects had improved phenomenally.
‘Total mana from 50,000 to 150,000, and mana recovery from 500% to 1,500%... This is just an absurd level of power.’
- Mana: 185,459/185,459
* Mana Recovery Per Second: 631
Even combining three or four top-tier mage Players wouldn't be enough to replicate this level of mana management.
‘I'm practically a walking mana generator.’
Consequently, the number of armaments he could operate was set to increase dramatically. Until now, he had only been able to operate a maximum of 12 AD-1s simultaneously because his sustain was insufficient when using them alongside 'Hugin'.
‘But not anymore.’
The AD-2's mana consumption was 35 per second, while Lee Hyun-wook's mana recovery was 631 per second. In other words, he could operate up to 18 of them for free.
Lee Hyun-wook closed his eyes and released his mana.
Soon, blue lights flickered to life throughout the dim warehouse.
Whoooosh—!
In response, 19 AD-1s and 11 AD-2s activated. The mana circuits etched onto their surfaces glowed, creating a mystical aura.
‘A total of 30...'
And in unison, they rose at the same speed.
'I can maintain all 30 of these simultaneously for quite a long time.’
Each airdrop device holds 30 weapons,
and the magic ejection port at the bottom is loaded with 70 steel balls.
That's 100 weapons per unit, for a total of 3,000 I can control.
Feeling satisfied, Lee Hyun-wook slowly lowered them.
Next, the second skill that had ranked up was <Breath Room>.
The Magneta Crust Piece was also known as the 'Heart of a Star'.
And a star was, in a way, a type of 'furnace'.
[Skill Information]
- Name: Breath Room (Flame)
- Rank: B
- Effect
1) Internal Furnace: Increases metal absorption speed. (+100% ~ 500%). The higher the furnace efficiency, the greater the pain inflicted on the body.
2) Fire Breath: By storing a portion of metal in the Breath Room, you can fire a 'Breath (Enhanced)'. (1 use per 1kg)
* The skill rank will improve when hidden conditions are met.
The most encouraging change here was that the 'Internal Furnace' efficiency had doubled, from a maximum of 250% to 500%.
‘Good. I'll start absorbing metal again right away.’
As always, metal absorption was something he had to do without rest.
A little suffering now would make the coming battles easier. And as for the high-quality metal to absorb for this task...
'...I should ask Red Hole Village to speed up their mining.’
There was plenty prepared, enough for him to eat his fill.
Thus, from the supply of metal to item manufacturing and a perfect method of operation,
the 'system' Lee Hyun-wook had created was functioning properly.
***
"...Oh, it looks like there's more this time than last time, doesn't it?"
Kim Se-hee remarked, looking down at a black iron box.
Inside were lumpy, silver-colored minerals.
It was all adamant, mined from the 'mine' in Red Hole Village.
"The mining technology has probably improved, so it's faster."
"Ah, right. Didn't we send them some mining items?"
"That's right. Whether it's hunting or mining, you need good gear."
Two days ago, Kang Jeong-du's workshop and the dwarves had collaborated to create and send an 'Adamant Mana-Powered Drill', which had significantly increased the mining output.
On the first day of the mine's development, the daily yield was barely 1kg, but as soon as various mining items were deployed, it skyrocketed to a whopping 5kg.
Lee Hyun-wook had hoped for this kind of 'virtuous cycle'.
‘And it will only get faster from here.’
If so, he would one day be able to make it 'rain adamant'.
Lee Hyun-wook took the box of adamant aside.
"So, what are you planning to make with it this time?"
"...Hmm, I'm still thinking about it."
Lee Hyun-wook was evasive in his answer to Kim Se-hee. Because...
'...This time, I'm eating it all myself.’
Lee Hyun-wook, with some exaggeration, gobbled up the adamant as if it were popcorn.
Instantly, his Metal Control stat skyrocketed in real-time.
- Metal Absorption complete. : Adamant
* Controllable metal weight has increased: 9,411g
- Metal Absorption complete. : Adamant
* Controllable metal weight has increased: 8,544g
- Metal Absorption complete. : Adamant
* Controllable metal weight has increased: 6,544g
In a single day, he gained a whopping 29kg in 'weight' growth. Furthermore, 'Solidification', which was influenced by high-hardness magic metals, was also strengthened.
And so, Lee Hyun-wook focused on absorbing metal for several days.
Meanwhile, the Okinawa incident unfolded just as he remembered from history.
- "...The map you are currently seeing is a satellite image of the Unlucky Event area in Okinawa. From here to here, the dome alone is said to have a diameter of a staggering 8 kilometers."
A satellite photo of Okinawa's main island appeared on the news screen.
The southern part of it was covered by what looked like a black circle.
- "Given that the 4th Wave Zone in Seoul had a diameter of 10 kilometers, experts are saying this incident is a disaster on par with a Wave."
In truth, comparing this incident to a Wave was a bit of a stretch.
But it was true that it was an equally terrible disaster.
‘Tens of thousands of civilians trapped inside will lose their lives.’
- "We have breaking news! The rescue team led by the Japan Player Association, right? It's been reported that three S-Rank Players have appeared just 23 hours after the Unlucky Event began! Furthermore, officials on-site have stated that entry into the dome will begin shortly. Our correspondent on the scene—"
Spearheaded by three S-Rank Players, a total of 43 members, including 40 Players below level 65, were assembled into the <Okinawa Rescue Team>.
The world, and especially the Japanese archipelago, began to buzz with excitement.
An operation involving a whole three S-Ranks...
They had no doubt it would be a historic event.
- "Ah, the rescue team leader, Kodo Koshiro, the master of the <Eien> Guild, has just stepped up to the microphone. Let's listen to the interview."
The man ranked 2nd in Japan stood before the press with a somewhat weary expression. When a reporter asked for a few words, he opened his mouth.
- "I'll say just one thing. ...Japan is safe."
After saying that, he chuckled and shook his head.
- "How was that, cool? Like someone else."
There was a strange, subtle mockery in his tone.
‘Wait... that line sounds familiar.’
The news anchor seemed to have noticed it too.
- "Kodo Koshiro has finished his very brief interview. But didn't his words remind you of Lee Hyun-wook from a while back?"
- "Yes, it was similar to Lee Hyun-wook's 'Seoul is safe.' Perhaps it was an homage? In any case, from now on..."
Lee Hyun-wook didn't know it, but his first official public statement, "Seoul is safe," had become a symbolic line for the hottest figure of the moment and was turning into an internet meme.
And just now, Kodo Koshiro had copied that line.
Regarding his words, there was a mix of positive reactions, suggesting it was an homage to Lee Hyun-wook, and negative ones, claiming it was actually a sarcastic jab.
However, the majority opinion was that the latter was more likely.
It was likely because Kodo Koshiro was acquainted with Okita Kaito, so he probably wasn't pleased with Lee Hyun-wook's achievements.
‘Whatever...’
In any case, with that declaration-like interview over, the operation began.
- "Alright, the Okinawa Rescue Team has entered the 'dome'! Reporter Park, from now on, there's nothing more we can know, is there? We'll just have to wait anxiously for the results, won't we?"
- "Yes, once inside, they can't come out until they meet a specific condition. However, the Japanese side is confident of a great success in their clear."
- "Well, they did mobilize three S-Rank Players, after all."
Furthermore, the Japanese side held a subtle sense of anticipation for this event.
Just as South Korea had cleared the 4th Wave and obtained the ridiculously powerful object 'Laputa', they were focusing on the rewards that would be given for clearing the largest 'Unlucky Event' in history.
Consequently, the media also reported on this point day after day.
- [Vice Chairman of Japan Hunter Association: Opportunity Lies Within This Disaster! "Minimize Sacrifices, Maximize Rewards" - Focus on Clearing Over Rescue?]
- [Okinawa Stained Pink, Not Blood Red? Japanese Analyst Players Publish Series of Articles Predicting Reward Scale]
- [This Is Actually Good! Unexpected 'Boon' from Okinawa Unlucky Event; Japanese Guild Stocks Rise for Two Consecutive Days on Reward Anticipation...]
Thus, despite it being a disaster with hundreds of thousands of lives at stake, there were not a few cases of people openly expressing their expectations.
That was the era they lived in.
When disaster passes, money pours in.
That was the rule of the game.
Therefore, the Japanese Player society was filled with anticipation.
However—
All that anticipation would utterly vanish just two days later.
- "This is a news flash!"
...because news of a disastrous failure would arrive.
- "We've just received word that one of the 43 Players who entered the dome to clear the Okinawa Unlucky Event has come out!"
Out of all those elite rescue members, only one emerged after two days.
No, he had barely escaped.
- "He is a rescue member named Shizuoka Koga, who stated that after securing the 'Emergency Exit Key' item, a condition for escaping the Unlucky Event zone, he came out alone to deliver a message to the world."
And the 'message' he brought... was utterly despairing.
- "Sob, sniff... The rescue mission... was a complete failure!"
He continued his explanation at the press conference, tears streaming down his face.
- "...As soon as we entered, an un-unbearable 'cold' placed a stat reduction debuff on everyone. Then, giant monsters like snowballs swarmed us from all sides. We resisted, centering around our leader Kodo Koshiro, but we were eventually scattered..."
Just like that, 12 people died right at the start... and among them was even an S-Rank Player, Japan's Rank 8, Kanezao Mayu.
Naturally, the Japanese archipelago was thrown into shock.
They had failed despite mobilizing three S-Rank Players. One of them was even an Indian mercenary hired for a hefty sum. In other words, they had essentially deployed 'surplus power'. The Japan Player Association was now in a state of emergency. Would it even be possible to form a second rescue team?
- [Despite Recruitment for Additional Forces, Japan's Strongest, 'Tengu' Negi Kenjiro, Remains Motionless in his Residence... Will He Ignore the National Crisis This Time as Well?]
Japan's Rank 1 Player, Negi Kenjiro, was famous for rarely getting involved in worldly affairs. This time would be no different. And so...
- [Japan Player Association Sends Urgent Request for Aid to the World Player Association!]
Japan had no choice but to send an SOS to the international Player community.
‘...Just as planned.’
Only then did Lee Hyun-wook turn off his internal furnace and begin to move.
The Okinawa Unlucky Event had unfolded according to history so far.
But from now on, things were going to be a little different.
"Team Leader Lee Kyo-jun, it's me. Yes, there's something I'd like you to pass on to Director Woo Seong-mun. It's... I'm going to Japan.
His declaration of participation began to increase the scale of this incident even further.
- [BREAKING] Seoul's Savior Heads to Okinawa to Save It Next!
However, Japan did not welcome the news.
***
"...You must be careful about this."
Team Leader Lee Kyo-jun said upon visiting the Hope Guild office.
When Lee Hyun-wook announced he would be volunteering for the Okinawa Unlucky Event clear operation, Woo Seong-mun's side had shown a rather lukewarm reaction.
‘Well, it can't be helped.’
Recently, Lee Hyun-wook had made enemies of several groups.
‘In other words, there's a high chance someone will target me this time.’
And of all places, it's an 'Unlucky Event'.
What happens inside cannot be seen from the outside.
Even if Lee Hyun-wook were in danger, they would have no way of knowing.
"And... the reaction from Japan is also quite cold."
"Yes, I'm aware."
The scene of Lee Hyun-wook brutally beating Okita Kaito had been revealed to the entire world. He was a criminal, a 'Red Player', but he was also a very popular star Player.
‘And because he had cut down the previous Sword Saint, Guk Pyo-seong, to take the title, he was a character that Japanese people couldn't help but be enthusiastic about.’
Therefore, it was inevitable that many would curse Lee Hyun-wook.
As a result, the emotional rift between the two countries began to deepen online.
- [Lee Hyun-wook, the Archipelago's Achilles' Heel? Harsh Reactions from Japanese Netizens Continue...]
- [On News of Lee Hyun-wook Joining Okinawa 2nd Rescue Team, Korean Netizens say "Korea's Honor is at Stake!" Focus on Emotional Rivalry over Joint Clear?]
- [Lee Hyun-wook's Trip to Okinawa Deepens Conflict Between Korean Netizens, Culture Critic Lee Dong-ho: "We Must Not Forget the Common Goal of Raids is 'Humanity'."]
Unbeknownst to many, this 2nd clear operation was turning into a Korea-Japan match.
***
A school field in Ginowan, Okinawa.
The location, a straight 5km away from the Unlucky Event zone, was where the <Okinawa Rescue Operation Headquarters> had been set up.
The so-called '2nd Rescue Team' had gathered there.
25 Players from Japan, 14 support troops from the EU, 11 from Taiwan, but only 3 from South Korea, including Lee Hyun-wook.
And the members were, once again... Park Jun-mo and Kim Se-hee.
"...Does everyone know they're staring at us?"
Kim Se-hee said with a frown.
Just as she said, everyone was glancing at the Korean team.
Their interest was, of course, in Lee Hyun-wook.
"...That guy over there, that's Lee Hyun-wook, right?"
"Yeah! I wonder if he rode that white airship to get here?"
"Ah, right, he has one of those, doesn't he?"
He could even hear them whispering.
Just then, another team appeared.
"Well, well— all the heroes have gathered, eh? Good day, everyone!"
A rather boisterous entrance. 19 people in total. They were the support troops from the United States, a clear team from the American guild, <Iron Eagle>.
However, they were unfamiliar faces, not in Lee Hyun-wook's memory.
‘...Those guys aren't supposed to be here.’
In the original timeline, these people weren't part of the 2nd Rescue Team...
‘...And four snipers, an unusually high number?’
It wasn't difficult for Lee Hyun-wook to figure out their true identity.
‘The <Iron Eagle> Guild are Gordon Price's lackeys.’
In other words, their goal was likely not to clear the Unlucky Event.
It was then.
"Alright, your attention, please!"
Someone shouted as they entered.
"I am Nagano Tai, the leader of the 2nd Rescue Team."
Although she was level 63, she was already an A-Rank, Tier 3 Player, one of Japan's top prospects. Excluding S-Ranks, she was the best possible force that could be mobilized for this operation.
"Based on the testimony of the 1st Rescue Team member who escaped the Unlucky Event, we have assessed the environment inside the dome and formulated a plan."
Behind her, a picture of an item appeared on the screen.
- Ice Troll Hide Triple-Layer Cold-Weather Suit (High-Grade)
- Salamander Crystal Hot Pack (Rare)
"And as you've already been briefed, our goal is not to 'clear' or 'fight'. A significant number of the elite force from the 1st Rescue Team are still alive, including two S-Rank Players, but they are unable to use their full strength due to a debuff. In other words, if we can get them back to normal... we can succeed in the clear."
She pointed to the pictures on the screen.
"Therefore, we will provide the 1st Rescue Team with items to overcome that terrible cold. That is our mission."
The 2nd Rescue Team was inevitably weaker than the first. That's why the operation was planned around supporting the survivors of the 1st team.
"And one more thing— they say that when you enter, the stage name <Loki's Mischief> appears before your eyes... We don't know what it means yet, but we believe it's a hint for the future clear."
"...Loki, you mean the god from Norse mythology?"
"Yes, Loki is famous as the 'trickster' in Norse mythology. So we must be careful, as there may be all sorts of traps lurking."
Just then, Nagano Tai's gaze fell upon Lee Hyun-wook.
"By the way, you there... you're the Korean team, right?"
She called out to the Korean team, her voice filled with puzzlement.
"Yes, that's right."
Lee Hyun-wook replied.
"I believe all this information was provided in the pre-briefing, was it not?"
"Yes, it was. We received all the information."
Her eyebrows twitched twice.
"It's just... you seem to be dressed very casually."
As she said, everyone else was armed with thick 'cold-weather' items. The support troops were to procure these items themselves, with the Japanese government agreeing to reimburse the cost later.
But Lee Hyun-wook and his two companions were in thin clothing.
"Ah, you don't need to worry about that. We have everything prepared."
"Hmm... We don't have much time. Please change quickly."
She scanned Lee Hyun-wook with a stern expression.
Unspoken, there was an emotional rift between the two countries.
But a short while later, as they moved near the dome.
"...Korean team! Did you not hear me? That can't be! The system translates for you even if I speak in Japanese!"
Nagano Tai shouted, her voice somewhat agitated. It was because Lee Hyun-wook was still not wearing a thick cold-weather suit.
"Ah, this clothing also has cold resistance. As I said before, you don't need to worry. I'm quite thorough with my preparations."
But Nagano Tai shook her head.
"That item won't be enough to withstand the cold inside! You need at least a High-Grade item, specifically the 'Ice Troll's Triple-Layer Cold-Weather Suit' that we recommended! Do you know how long it takes to put one on? There's no time to change once we're inside!"
"...Tai, don't worry. We won't freeze to death."
Lee Hyun-wook didn't back down, and her expression turned cold.
Soon, she nodded sharply, as if to say, 'do as you please'.
"Mr. Lee Hyun-wook... there is one more thing I'd like to emphasize."
"Yes?"
"Don't forget that this operation is for support, not a clear."
"......."
"I know you've been building up a huge reputation lately, and I know it's real. Still, please follow my orders. Compared to the S-Rank Players inside... you are still just a small hero."
Lee Hyun-wook nodded without a word.
She turned on her heel—irritably—and walked away.
"Um... Sergeant Lee Hyun-wook, are you sure this is okay?"
"Yeah. Everyone but us is heavily geared up."
It was bad enough that even Park Jun-mo and Kim Se-hee, who were right beside him, had to ask.
Indeed, if the three of them were dressed for early winter, the others looked like they were about to climb Mount Everest in their thick, 'triple-layer' suits.
"What we're wearing is enough. And..."
Lee Hyun-wook swallowed the rest of his words.
‘...That stuff is actually poison.’
And soon, entry into the dome began.
"—Entering!"
The 2nd Rescue Team entered in staggered groups, leaving the flashing lights of cameras behind them. The Korean team was second.
- You have entered an <Unlucky Event> zone!
* You may enter this zone, but you cannot leave.
* An entry level limit is applied to this zone. (LV. 65)
* To escape, you must achieve a specific objective.
1) Obtain the 'Emergency Exit Key' hidden on the map.
2) Survive for 240 hours.
3) Defeat the boss monster.
Along with those guide messages, the scenery inside the dome unfolded.
"Uh... this isn't cold?"
Someone at the front said.
Right, the internal environment was not 'cold' as the prior information suggested.
"—Gah! It's hot!"
“Ugh! I can't breathe!”
On the contrary, it was an intense 'heat'. The air inside was boiling, making it difficult to breathe even when standing still.
- Warning! You are exposed to the 'Hellish Heatwave' of <Muspelheim>!
* 'Status Ailments' and 'Stat Reduction' will begin rapidly!
"—What?"
But of all things, they were wrapped head to toe in all sorts of heat-generating items. Because of this, the hellish heat constricted their bodies even faster.
"Gah, clothes, have to take them off now!"
“Gah! Crazy, what is this situation!
However, the thick, heavy Ice Troll Hide Triple-Layer Cold-Weather Suits they had so ambitiously prepared were as difficult to take off as they were to put on.
- Warning! You have entered 'Exhaustion (Stage 1)'.
* All stats are reduced. (-10%)
* Skill preparation time is greatly increased.
* Mana continuously decreases.
- Warning! You have entered 'Heatstroke (Stage 1)'.
* All stats are reduced. (-10%)
* Skill cooldown time is greatly increased.
* You will feel intense dizziness and lose your sense of direction.
"Ughhhh......."
And so, the 'debuffs' began to take effect.
‘What is this—!’
The rescue leader, Nagano Tai, felt like she had been scammed.
Didn't they say it was the worst cold imaginable?
But then, a piece of information flashed through her mind.
'Loki's Mischief... Trickster...'
It was then.
Kraaaaaa—!
To make matters worse, monstrous screams began to echo from all directions.
"Gasp! Monsters are coming!"
"Damn it, move quickly!"
They had to stop trying to take off their clothes and prepare for battle.
However...
"Ugh, my body... I can't put any strength into it..."
As the heat-induced debuffs stacked, their bodies gradually slowed.
Meanwhile, huge monsters appeared from between the buildings. They were 8-meter-tall giants with black bodies and four arms.
Thud— Thud— Thud— Thud—
They stomped their feet, approaching with clubs in both hands.
At a glance, they were high-level monsters, over level 60...
"Kuh, f-form... positions!"
The rescue leader, Nagano Tai, shouted.
But due to the debuffs, their bodies wouldn't move properly.
"Damn it— a-at this rate, even retreating will be difficult!"
At this rate, everyone was going to die in vain.
Then—
Cra—sh—!
—with a brutal roar, the giant at the front was split in half.
"Huh?"
With sweat beading on her eyebrows and blurring her vision, Nagano Tai exhaled a hot breath and stared into the shimmering space.
Thud—! Thud—!
One by one, the giants that had been charging toward them with thunderous steps fell.
And,
Booooom—!
A greatsword flying nimbly through the air came into view.
"Fall back and change out of those cumbersome clothes."
It was Lee Hyun-wook and the Korean team.
A blue barrier shimmered around their bodies.
The hellish heat seemed unable to penetrate it.
"Y-You— How are you..."
Lee Hyun-wook grinned.
"I told you several times, didn't I? Not to worry about me."
"I said I was thorough with my preparations... I wasn't kidding."
Saying that, Lee Hyun-wook gripped the greatsword Mogeley.
Then he looked back at Nagano Tai and added one more thing.
"This operation won't be 'support'. It'll be a 'clear'.”