Chapter 124
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: Absolute Firepower - 4
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“A few hours ago, the Minister of Defense contacted me with an interesting story.”
The speaker was Kodo Koshiro, Japan’s second-ranked Player, also known as ‘Hurricane.’
He was currently seated in the grand conference room of the Eien Guild headquarters, having gathered the guild’s executives.
“He said the Black Orcs are about to invade Korea and asked if we would be willing to dispatch troops. Apparently, Korea requested our help first… Anyway, what they plan to get as compensation is none other than ‘Laputa.’”
As Kodo Koshiro said this with a faint smile, the conference room filled with gasps of astonishment.
“Hah—Laputa!”
“Is that true?”
His words meant that the Japanese government itself had declared its intention to gain usage rights to Laputa through this opportunity. In other words, participating in this dispatch would mean a huge prize. A very huge prize…
Besides, aside from the World Tree, wasn’t Laputa the most valuable object in the world right now?
“—Huh? So does this mean we’ll be able to use Laputa’s functions too? Wow…”
“No, but is that even possible? Isn’t that just the Minister of Defense bluffing?”
“That’s right! There’s no way the Koreans would willingly offer to share Laputa, right?”
Faced with the executives’ mix of awe and doubt, Kodo Koshiro offered a slight smile.
“When their country is on the brink of collapse, what does Laputa matter? They’d have to sell everything to prepare for war.”
At this, a few people nodded, murmuring, “Well, that’s true—”
“And even if it’s not just the rights to use Laputa, this will be a massive gain for us no matter what, right?”
“Oh—is there something else besides that?”
“Well, isn’t that how history works? It was decades ago. The… Korean War, was it? In any case, just like how our country was able to develop significantly back then. A good opportunity has come to us once again.”
*Whirr—*
Just then, a screen descended at the front of the conference room, flickered on, and displayed a satellite image. It appeared to be a Black Orc troop assembly point… the number of them gathered in one place was estimated at a staggering 13,111.
This time, a different kind of gasp erupted—a lament mixed with fear. If the Eien Guild were to be dispatched, it meant they would have to face those things, so they couldn’t help but worry.
“In this war, regardless of who wins, Korea will be exhausted, and the Black Orc Kingdom will also suffer a major blow.”
A man in glasses chimed in, adding to Kodo Koshiro’s words.
“Yes, that’s what will happen. Even if Korea has defended up to the fourth wave and a rookie named Lee Hyun-wook has appeared, an all-out war with the Black Orcs will inevitably leave the entire country in ruins.”
In other words, no matter how the war unfolded, Korea was doomed to fall.
Furthermore, the greatest threat, the Black Orc Kingdom, would enter a period of hibernation for a while.
So, all things considered… an opportunity for Japan to seize hegemony in Northeast Asia was arriving.
“Those guys, they’ve been too lucky lately… I guess they used up more luck than they deserved. Haha—”
Kodo Koshiro spoke ill of Korea without hesitation.
In fact, until recently, he hadn’t held any anti-Korean sentiments at all.
‘No, I wasn’t even interested in that country…’
But things seemed to have changed significantly after he met Lee Hyun-wook… that man.
‘Lee Hyun-wook, thinking of that bastard’s face… I can’t sleep.’
He had not forgotten the humiliation from the <Okinawa Unlucky Event>.
He planned to return that humiliation several times over with this opportunity.
He rose from his seat and spread his arms.
“Everyone, all ‘war events’ are accompanied by numerous quests. In other words, the rewards are enormous.”
Kodo Koshiro was already thrilled at the thought of freely unleashing his hurricane in the heart of Seoul.
“—Now! I expect you all to prepare to rake in a huge haul of experience and items from this national opportunity!”
Like this, there were people all over the world who were eagerly awaiting the Black Orc Kingdom’s invasion of Korea.
It was the same across the Pacific, on the American continent.
Detroit, Michigan, a city that had once prospered with the automotive industry, had faded and crumbled with its decline. Recently, however, it was thriving once again as an ‘item armory.’
Furthermore, with Gordon Price’s magic mobility company, <Blue Tree Air>, scheduled to build an airship production plant there, the future of Detroit was looking bright.
Still, a limousine was passing through this rough neighborhood where public safety remained poor.
“Hah… I wish the war in Korea would just start already.”
Two burly men were seated in the back.
“This city isn’t what it used to be, so it’s pretty boring, you know? It’s not great when it gets too clean.”
The burly man with short hair and sunglasses grumbled, and the bearded man next to him chuckled.
“Will, you bastard! I told you, you have to get rid of that hooligan mentality to make it big, didn’t I?”
“Come on, bro, you find this boring neighborhood fun? Until just a little while ago, trolls were walking down that alley!”
These two were known as the ‘Pitbull Brothers,’ the best tanker Players on the American East Coast.
The older brother, Harry Bernard, was widely known by the nickname ‘Red Berserker.’
“Look over there, it looks like they’re demolishing that building you half-destroyed while wrestling a troll when you were drunk.”
“Ah, another one of my memories disappears just like that… why does time fly so fast…”
Just then, a woman’s voice flowed from the car’s built-in speaker.
- Harry, the Chairman has confirmed the schedule. The ‘war’ will begin in 52 hours.
The ‘war’ being referred to was the Black Orc Kingdom’s invasion of Korea.
What was rather strange, however, was that she spoke of the war’s start time with such conviction.
“Oh, only two days left? My body was getting stiff, this is great!”
“Thanks, Hailey. So when should we head to Korea?”
- According to the current plan, in 84 hours, at 08:00 on the 19th, our company-sponsored airship fleet will depart from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. Please take note and prepare accordingly.
“Hmm, so we have about three days? Then I’ll get some maintenance done in the meantime—”
“By the way, Hailey, the Chairman said he’d give us a new item. Where is it?”
“Hey, can you please act like a gentleman? You’re going to whine for a gift box while riding in an expensive car like this?”
“Bro, I guarantee you there isn’t a single drop of noble blood in our veins.”
At that moment, the rear section of the limousine clicked open. It was a secret safe built into the car.
- Check that suitcase. It’s a gift from the Chairman for this operation.
“Oh—!”
*Click—*
William Bernard opened the suitcase and plunged his hand into the subspace pouch inside.
He pulled something out with a jerk—it was a giant axe.
Even in a limousine, brandishing it inside the car inevitably pierced the seat.
*Riiip—*
- Please, use company assets with care.
“Sorry, Hailey, but a Hero-grade axe… this looks pretty useful.”
They grinned from ear to ear as they received the gifts sent from above in preparation for the coming war.
“Bro, who was that guy, that pain in the ass from Korea… Steel Rain, was it?”
“Yeah, I heard a lot of people got taken down by that bastard. We’ll be meeting him soon enough.”
“But bro, didn’t you say you wanted that huge-ass sword he has?”
At those words, Harry Bernard nodded.
“Yeah, I looked it up. Morglay, was it? For some reason, I’m drawn to that greatsword.”
“Heheheh—Bro, you know you just made the same face you make when you think about that Mexican bitch, right?”
“You little shit… yeah, honestly, it feels pretty much the same.”
Harry Bernard usually used a greatsword the size of a man’s torso as his main weapon.
But the moment he saw Lee Hyun-wook wielding ‘Morglay’ on the news, he fell in love.
“The moment Order 66 comes, that Big Dick will be in your grasp.”
As a matter of fact, Harry Bernard was already planning to make a play for Morglay.
Speaking of Order 66… he shook his head as if he couldn’t be helped.
“Don’t call this operation by such a ridiculous nickname. Someone might catch on, you know?”
“Then that person just becomes Obi-Wan Kenobi! Heheheh—wouldn’t that be pretty fun too?”
Thus, all over the world, people were waiting for the war that would break out in the Republic of Korea, each with their own hidden motives.
***
At this very moment, the eyes of the entire world were focused on the Chinese media. The reason was simple. They had been invited by the Black Orc Kingdom to broadcast live from the ‘troop assembly point.’
In other words, the Black Orc Kingdom was using human media for propaganda purposes.
- [Breaking News] Black Orc Kingdom’s deployment ceremony to be broadcast through Chinese public television (1st Report)
- Black Orc Kingdom uses Chinese public media to promote war with Korea, what is their motive?
For humanity, it was a rather shocking event.
It meant that the monsters, once considered barbaric, had begun to engage in political maneuvering.
In any case, Chinese media personnel were mixed in with the Black Orc army, conducting their broadcast.
For them, the opportunity was likely too great to pass up due to humanity’s general animosity toward monsters.
“Everyone, from here you can see the Black Orc army in a single glance!”
Liu Yuan, a Chinese internet streamer, had climbed to the rooftop of a building with his broadcast team.
Meanwhile, Black Orc warriors stood on either side of them, weapons in hand, serving as both guides and guards.
As if now accustomed to their murderous glares, Liu Yuan was smoothly proceeding with the broadcast.
“Hah… look at that. Seriously, I feel like I’m going to piss myself.”
What was once a vast ecological park had now turned into a muddy clearing called the ‘troop assembly point.’ Along the mounds at its edge, thousands of barbaric flags were planted, fluttering fiercely.
*Wuaaaaargh—!*
Below them, tens of thousands of killing machines were waving their weapons and roaring.
“As far as I know, I’ve heard that about 15,000 of them are gathered here now!”
Fifteen thousand. In terms of a regular army, it might not seem like a large number.
But the average level of a Black Orc soldier was estimated to be a staggering 53.
In other words, a division-level force composed of C-rank, Tier 2-3 Players had assembled.
This could be seen as an overwhelming military power that no single nation possessed.
After focusing on that scene for a while, Liu Yuan signaled for the cameraman to pan up.
The camera focus slowly rose, capturing the ruined cityscape a short distance away.
“Do you see that? As I’ve shown you before, the wyverns are flying around like a flock of crows.”
Hundreds of wyverns were perched in a line on the gray skyscraper skyline…
*Kraaa—Kraaa—*
It was like a flock of crows sitting on a wall. The scene was that surreal. But upon closer inspection… one would soon ‘recognize’ their true nature and feel a primal chill run down their spine.
“I don’t know if this sense of intimidation, like being in a tiger’s den, can be conveyed through the camera.”
He shook his head and then spoke again with a solemn expression.
“It makes me realize how amazing our senior Chinese Players were. To fight a war against these monsters three times, and even push them back on the offensive… Although they failed to retake Shanghai, it was a remarkable feat.”
In truth, it was China that could be called the mortal enemy of this Black Orc Kingdom.
But in this current situation, it was instilling a strange sense of pride in them.
China had been greatly weakened in the aftermath of the war to retake Shanghai following the second wave.
Although it was considered one of the worst military campaigns, within China, all those wars were being propagandized under the leadership of the Communist Party not as failures, but as noble battles fought on behalf of humanity.
There was even a rumor, widely accepted as fact, that the Black Orcs feared the Chinese due to that experience, which was why they were attacking Korea instead of targeting Chinese territory.
It was then.
*Groooaaaar—!*
All the Black Orcs present began to roar in unison and stomp their feet.
“…Huh, do you hear that? Su-suddenly the orcs have started to resonate!”
The cameras positioned here and there all moved to face a single direction.
“Look over there! Another flock of wyverns is flying in, with Black Orcs riding on them!”
In the northern sky, black shadows were flying in, in a swarm.
Among them, the largest wyvern landed on a ‘platform’ set up in the center of the assembly point.
*Thud—!*
“The Black Orc riding on that one, could it be… King ‘Stornox’?”
During the last war to retake Shanghai, there were ‘Boss Monster’ grade orcs who had boasted their majesty.
King Stornox, Warlord Sumakt, and Shaman Dievle were known as the ‘Three Great Black Orcs.’
“Ah! It’s Dievle! The fog created by his shamanism drifted to Suzhou and caused great damage!”
One of the Three Great Black Orcs stood on the platform.
This was a scene filled with significant meaning.
“He’s on the platform! Could he be about to announce the start of the war? You know, like in movies, before the troops march out, someone important comes out and gives a speech to boost morale?”
A hulking Black Orc, draped in a black membrane, had a necklace of skulls around its neck.
When he raised his hand, the clamoring Black Orc army fell silent all at once.
“…Now, let’s hear what he has to say.”
On the platform, Dievle pushed back his hood and slowly opened his mouth.
Thanks to some kind of spell, his voice was greatly amplified.
“We—will cross the sea—and devour—the small land of humans—”
A fierce roar erupted at the straightforward declaration.
“We—will seize the flying city—and reclaim—the relics of our ancestors—”
This time, even the Black Wyverns spread their wings in unison and let out screeches.
“We—will ultimately—rule—this world—”
That was the end of it.
At first glance, it was a simple and brutish speech with no real substance.
*Groooaaaar—!*
But thanks to the roar of the Black Orc army that followed, a truly intimidating scene was created.
Soon, the camera focused on Liu Yuan’s face.
His face was deathly pale.
He hesitated as if nervous, then opened his mouth.
“I-I’m still the 291st ranked Player in China, am I not? If I may be so bold as to say a word…”
Just then, behind him, hundreds of wyverns took flight in unison, casting a dark shadow.
“...To the people of Korea, it might be better not to fight back. You will lose.”
He shook his head vigorously.
“If this army lands on Korean soil, what on earth could possibly stop them?”
He seemed lost in his own sentiment, shouting as if pleading.
But since every viewer felt the same emotions he did, almost no one refuted him.
In fact, it was the Koreans, of all people, who empathized with Liu Yuan’s words.
The terror that this great disaster would sweep away everything they loved… it was something Koreans couldn’t help but feel.
It was at that moment.
*Peeeeeeeee—*
A sharp sound from somewhere—
“……!”
Liu Yuan shouted something in response, but his voice was drowned out.
The sky-tearing roar silenced even the Black Orc army.
Every living being in this place instinctively raised their heads.
“…….”
The dark clouds covering the sky, the sharp sound echoing from beyond them, rapidly approaching.
—!
A single streak of holy light—it pierced through the dark clouds and shot down vertically.
And it was aimed precisely where Dievle stood, atop the massive platform—
*Cra—a—a—a—ack—!*
Overwhelming force applied to a single point, the ground at the edges rippled and rose.
*Kwa—a—a—a—a—!*
A wave of earth, a cataclysm that could be called nothing less, soared dozens of meters high.
And it swept away the tightly packed Black Orc army.
That wasn’t the end.
Where the flash of light had struck, deep within the earth, a powerful shockwave erupted from that spot.
*Rumble—rumble—rumble—rumble—!*
It transformed into an earthquake, shaking everything in the area to its very roots.
“…Huh? Wha-what the!”
The moment that stormy shockwave reached him, Liu Yuan covered his entire body in a magic barrier.
“Ugh!”
Even so, his body was lifted into the air, and he tumbled across the ground before getting back up.
“Damn it, what the hell was that sudden bolt from the blue…”
He shook his head to clear the ringing in his ears.
Then, he helped up the staggering cameraman right in front of him.
“Shit, get a grip!”
To not lose his viewers, the broadcast had to continue even in a situation like this.
“Damn it—no, don’t film there!”
“What?”
“The sky, it’s the sky! There, film there!”
He had instinctively found the scene that needed to be captured on camera at this very moment.
The place where that attack originated—there was something in the dark, cloudy sky.
“E-everyone, just now… something flew into the sky!”
His dazed eyes combed through the dark clouds that filled the sky.
“That means someone has launched a… preemptive strike on the Black Orc army!”
And that first strike was clearly successful.
“M-maybe Dievle is dead!”
It didn’t make sense for such a powerful boss monster to die so anticlimactically.
But after being hit by that mysterious strike, the platform had completely vanished.
All that remained in its place was a massive crater… an impact crater.
“I don’t understand either. What is happening right now…”
But the Black Orcs began to respond with practiced skill.
They may not have anticipated an attack at this moment, but that didn’t mean they were unprepared.
“Hah—it looks like dozens of shamans are casting a large-scale defensive spell!”
There were hundreds of shamans in this place alone.
They all raised their hands in unison and began to chant some incantation.
*Woooooosh—!*
Then, black smoke billowed up, twisting and tangling together to form a gigantic ‘dome.’
*C-c-c-c-crack—!*
“Hah! Everyone, have you ever seen such a massive defensive magic spell?”
In the blink of an eye, the enormous dome covered the entire assembly point.
It felt like being inside a domed stadium… no, it was several times larger than that.
But—
*Peeeeeeeee—*
That sharp sound echoed once more.
That disaster was coming again.
“Hah! It’s coming again! C-can the dome withstand it—”
Liu Yuan shouted at the top of his lungs, but his voice was once again drowned out.
However, the scene captured by the camera was effectively transmitted to the viewers.
What was at first thought to be a flash of light revealed its form the moment it touched the dome’s barrier.
It was… surprisingly, a sword.
*Zzzzzzzzzzz—*
The sword struck the dome—stretching its surface as it pushed inward.
It was a scene reminiscent of pressing a finger hard against a plastic sheet.
Meaning, once a certain threshold was reached… the finger would pierce through the plastic.
*Cra—ash—!*
Just, like, this…
“Ah—it’s breaking!”
In the end, the massive dome crumbled to pieces.
“W-wait a minute! I-if this happens, the Black Orc army is…”
They were now completely exposed to the attacks pouring down from the sky.
*Groooaaaar—!*
Amidst the furious roars shaking the ground, all the cameras focused on the cloudy sky.
And then, from within the dark clouds, something began to slowly descend as if sinking.
“Ah…”
It was the most famous airship in the world… Prydwen.
Following that, dozens of metal boxes broke through the clouds around it, dotting the sky.
*Wooooo—*
And among those countless war machines, a single figure floated serenely.
There was no need to zoom in on his face to know.
Everyone knew who the one man capable of creating such a phenomenon was.
“Steel Rain—!”
Just then, his left hand lowered, pointing toward the ground.