Chapter 127
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: The Black Orc Legion Lands on the West Coast - 2
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Just as Lee Hyun-wook had predicted, the Black Orc legion landed on Ganghwa Island, an island in the West Sea.
The news spread to every country through war correspondents, framed as the South Korean military suffering an ‘unexpected blow.’ Commentators explained that allowing the landing so easily had complicated the war.
On the surface, they were right. When repelling a foreign invasion, blocking the landing was, of course, fundamental.
- [Breaking News] Black Orc Legion Lands on Ganghwa Island… South Korean Military Fails to Respond (1st Report)
- Shock as Landing is Permitted with Eyes Wide Open… Global Anxiety Rises Amidst Theories of South Korea’s Collapse
Thus, it was hardly ideal that the mood surrounding the war was turning negative. Players from all over the world who had confidently declared their participation and contacted the Korean military began to quietly disappear.
“…Good. If anything, we’ve filtered out the ones just looking to make a quick buck.”
Chief Woo Seong-mun believed they were better off without such half-baked opportunists anyway.
“Have the observation results for the Black Orc landing site on Ganghwa Island come in?”
he asked as he stepped out of a helicopter. He was at Gimpo International Airport, which was serving as the forward base for the Ganghwa Island front. One side of the airport runway was lined with military aircraft, and a convoy of dozens of trucks was entering through the gates.
An intelligence team leader quickly ran to his side and began his report.
“We’ve measured the thickness of that dome-shaped barrier. It’s strong enough that not even Lee Hyun-wook’s Moglay Drop can break it.”
“That means most attacks won’t be able to penetrate it. Don’t tell me we have to wait for the cooldown?”
If so, it meant they would have to stand by idly while the enemy finished their war preparations.
Even if they had set traps on the island, the operation would be a failure without a follow-up suppression force.
“Ah, the barrier’s reinforcement is concentrated on the upper portion. The edges closer to the ground seem like they would break with a few good hits. It appears they’re expending an excessive amount of mana to protect what’s above them.”
In other words, it was a magical barrier designed specifically to counter Lee Hyun-wook's low-orbit Moglay Drop.
“And Chief, would you take a look at this?”
The intelligence team leader showed him a tablet PC displaying a photo of Ganghwa Island taken from the coast of Gimpo.
Across the strait, on the enemy coastline, Black Orcs could be seen moving busily amidst black smoke.
“Hmm, it looks to me like they’re setting something up. Am I right?”
“Yes! They appear to be anti-air batteries, and there are a tremendous number of them.”
Fill the entire island with black smoke, cover it with a black dome, and then install anti-air batteries along the coastline. Just as Lee Hyun-wook had said, it looked like they were fortifying the land to swallow it whole.
“So they intend to completely block the Steel Fleet’s approach?”
“Yes, a forced breakthrough seems… impossible.”
Inside, they were likely setting up ‘totems,’ which would soon cause an ‘erosion.’
This would result in some kind of powerful buff, and the Black Orc legion, clad in that power, would advance.
If they waited idly until then, the battle would be much more grueling. They had to make the first move.
“Furthermore, our anomalous wave detectors have picked up a mana discharge of Alpha-2 or higher from the central area.”
Anomalous wave detectors were items used to detect the opening of Gates.
“Hmm? That’s unexpected. Does that mean a Gate has opened inside?”
“It’s not certain yet, but something is definitely happening.”
At the very least, it could be interpreted as a rift in the dimension opening, with something preparing to crawl out from within.
‘A Gate or summoning magic… whatever it is, it’s a bad omen.’
This was something he hadn’t heard about from Lee Hyun-wook.
“First, analyze how long the waves persist… and where is Lee Hyun-wook now?”
“Uh… he is currently on the Prydwen in the Ganghwa Strait. It seems he’s observing the enemy lines with Hugin.”
“Alright. For now, we will also observe the enemy’s movements… and wait for Lee Hyun-wook’s decision.”
As he headed into the shelter built in the basement of the Gimpo International Airport terminal, Woo Seong-mun issued an order to his operations team leader.
“…And have the Bihyeongrang team secretly monitor all ‘support Players.’”
“Do you suspect there might be terrorists hidden among them?”
At the question, Woo Seong-mun nodded and added in a low voice.
“Our enemy isn’t just the Black Orcs.”
***
Domestic and foreign civilian Players gathered at the ‘forward base’ set up at Gimpo International Airport.
All sorts of helicopters that had transported them landed across the runway, creating a spectacular scene.
*Thud-thud-thud-thud—*
A short while later, the Players were gathered in small groups, chattering away quite loudly as if at some social gathering.
It was hard to tell if this was a military unit before a war or some kind of university festival.
The high-quality, dazzling items they wore made it seem even more so.
“…Tsk, honestly, when you gather all these high-and-mighty Players, it’s like they’re on a picnic.”
Team Leader Lee Kyo-jun, who was in charge of managing the domestic and foreign support Players, clicked his tongue as he watched the scene.
This kind of behavior was common.
Was it a lack of a sense of duty, born from the conviction that they wouldn't die even if a battle broke out? In that respect, this couldn't be called a military, let alone a mercenary group. They were, quite literally, a ‘gaming team.’
Therefore, demanding systematic tactics from such a random assortment of Players was out of the question. Of course, each team was a top-tier raid party, but as long as they had no will to cooperate, they would inevitably fight however they pleased.
As the world changed to be like a game, were people also starting to think like they were in one…?
“Controlling them is impossible. We’ll just have to set the stage well so their firepower can be effective. They may be lacking in other areas, but they’ll certainly be good at killing monsters.”
As Team Leader Lee Kyo-jun spoke with a deep sigh, Chief Woo Seong-mun nodded.
“We’ll have to… In the first place, how many of them came here to save this country?”
“There might be a hero or two, but most of them are probably here for what they call ‘farming.’”
“That’s what Players are. And they are, astonishingly, the hope that sustains our world…”
That was the reality.
Meanwhile, the Players were sharing gossip about the current situation.
“I heard the whole island is covered in some kind of smoke, so they can’t even use that Moglay thing, right?”
“Well, you need to see something to aim at it. Just breaking the dome isn’t the end of it, is it?”
“Huh? What I heard was that the dome is so tough it can’t be broken at all.”
The main topic of their gossip was Steel Rain, Lee Hyun-wook.
And the focus was on the fact that his vaunted firepower had been neutralized.
“If this is the case… there’s not much Lee Hyun-wook can do, which means more for us to take.”
“It’s bound to happen, right? Lee Hyun-wook’s firepower seems pretty useless unless the sky is open.”
“Exactly! Those huge weapon crates are full of obstacles when you try to use them close to the ground, aren’t they?”
It would be a lie to say there was no jealousy towards Lee Hyun-wook, who had suddenly risen to become the world’s greatest hero.
And as Players who lived in the spotlight, they harbored a sense of mutual competition, whether they knew it or not.
“But that Orc King, he was no joke… Isn’t it a bit dangerous?”
“Hey, if he shows up, you can just run for it. What’s there to worry about?”
Thus, the majority of those who had joined this war intended to do just enough to get by.
They perceived it not as a life-or-death war, but as a game they could quit if it got too difficult.
However, on the flip side, there were also those who were determined to go all out.
“Master, this is perfect. The worst possible conditions for Lee Hyun-wook have been created.”
In a corner of the runway, a man with glasses said as he helped someone else into a suit of chainmail.
“Indeed. My skills will display their full power even when the sky is closed.”
The one who replied was the master of the EIN Guild, Kodo Koshiro.
“This war will be the stage where I prove that Lee Hyun-wook is beneath me.”
He had not forgotten his contest with Lee Hyun-wook during the Okinawa Unlucky Event.
The shame he felt afterward, when he stood before reporters back in mainland Japan…
‘Today, I will settle everything.’
Besides him, quite a few other well-known Players were thinking of capitalizing on the buzz around Lee Hyun-wook.
The key figure in this war was, without a doubt, Steel Rain. But what if one were to perform even better than him?
They would be able to firmly engrave their own name, or their guild’s name, in the minds of the international community.
For that reason, a considerable number of Players were sharpening their hidden blades, waiting for the battle to begin.
It was then.
- This is a broadcast from ROKAMT Operations Command to all Players.
A loudspeaker boomed from somewhere, and everyone turned their heads.
Chief Woo Seong-mun was standing on a boarding bridge.
- Ah, my name is Woo Seong-mun, and I am the operations commander.
He briefly expressed his gratitude to the Players who had come to support South Korea.
Then, he got straight to the point.
- We will soon begin a full-scale assault on the Black Orc forward base.
His words were met with a rising murmur.
First, it was strange to broadcast such a critical matter so openly.
But that aside, the statement itself was hard to comprehend.
“…Wait a minute! A full-scale assault? How do you plan to break through?”
One Player’s question was the start, and soon voices erupted from all over.
“Excuse me, but from what we know, that island is completely fortified, isn’t it?”
“No matter how much we want to save the country, we can’t fight a battle that’s like hitting a rock with an egg!”
This was a natural reaction. Charging into a perfectly defended island like that…
It would be harder than scaling a castle wall while arrows and boiling oil rained down.
- We have a solid plan prepared.
“So what is it, exactly?”
- You will witness it for yourselves shortly.
The ambiguous answer was met with shouts of discontent from all around.
- If you oppose this operation, you are welcome to contribute only to the mainland defense operations.
“Damn it, did we come all this way just to be tourists?”
At this, a few mage Players began to launch magic drones to observe the Ganghwa Island area.
- Everyone, there is no need to trouble yourselves with confirming the situation. We will deliver it to you.
Just then, a giant soap bubble-like object emerged from the staff of a ROKAMT mage and slowly floated into the sky like an ad balloon. Soon, movement began to appear within it.
It was a video… almost like a hologram.
*Fwoosh—*
“Uh… where is that? Do you recognize it?”
“It looks like the island the Black Orcs occupied.”
In the sky above the Ganghwa Strait, a dozen or so airships, the ‘Steel Fleet,’ were on standby.
Around them, reconnaissance helicopters and magic drones flew about chaotically.
But at the forefront of the formation, a single man could be seen floating in the dark sky.
“Ah— it’s Steel Rain!”
He was recognizable by the thirty AD-2s lined up around his body.
“Huh, what’s this? Is he going to try something again?”
“But the sky is completely blocked. What does he think he can do?”
No matter how they thought about it, there was nothing that man could accomplish on his own.
“Isn’t he just going to try and break that dome with his ridiculously huge sword?”
“Damn it, even if he breaks it, who’s going to go into that island? It’s a complete suicide mission!”
But then, the murmuring died down.
The reason was that the Lee Hyun-wook in the hologram… had raised his left hand.
*Gulp—*
Seeing such a solemn gesture, many Players had a gut feeling that something was about to happen.
In that moment, a development that no one could have predicted unfolded.
The lower part of the black smoke covering the island began to glow red, like charcoal in a kiln.
Then, a rumble could be heard. It was the roar of hundreds, thousands of explosions.
*Roo-oo-oo-oo-mble—!*
From the shock, the sea level along the island’s coast surged, sending low waves crashing toward the shores of Gimpo.
And like a fish tank shattering and water pouring out, the black smoke that had filled the island burst forth.
Nothing had fallen from the sky, yet the entire island began to burn from the inside out.
*Ruuuumble—*
Soon, the shockwave from the distant explosions reached the runway, trembling beneath their feet.
“—W-what! What’s with the sudden explosion?”
“How is that even possible?”
Voices filled with bewilderment erupted from all over.
At a glance, it was as if Lee Hyun-wook had become a god and caused a volcanic eruption.
*Roo-oo-oo-oo-mble—!*
The explosions continued for several minutes without stopping.
If so, what had become of the Black Orc legion that had been on the island?
“…….”
Though they were all veteran Players, this was a scene none of them had anticipated in the slightest.
“D-don’t tell me… he planted bombs on the island?”
“And they built their base on top of it without even knowing…”
“How is that possible? How did he know where they would land?”
Just then, Woo Seong-mun’s voice rang out again.
- To our proud Players, the way is now open.
*Roo-oo-oo-oo-mble—!*
Even at that moment, the explosions continued.
The entire island had been blasted apart.
***
In a building near Seoul Station, several Players were sitting in a small shelter set up on the 16th floor.
There were only a few people present, but in terms of quality, they were a perfect lineup.
Rank 2 Han Tae-san, Rank 4 Kang Seo-yoon, Rank 13 Oh Kyung-pyo, Rank 17 Kang Jun-seong, and Rank 18 Lee Hye-min—all of the nation’s most prominent Players who were cooperative with the government were gathered here.
Their mission was ‘Operation Defend Laputa.’
However, as they weren’t particularly close, only silence filled the air for a while.
Just then, a government agent rushed in breathlessly and whispered something in Oh Kyung-pyo’s ear.
“Hmm, is that so? Well, they’ve started the operation over at Ganghwa Island, so I suppose we should start getting ready too.”
Oh Kyung-pyo, being a government black ops agent, was in command of this operation.
At his words, Kang Seo-yoon picked up the bow she had leaned against the wall.
“Then let’s start warming up. Last time, that bastard Ki Baek-jun was after Laputa, right? I have a feeling that this time, whether it’s a powerful Player or a monster, it’s going to be even tougher than before…”
At her words, no one could hide the tense expressions on their faces.
Oh Kyung-pyo had been present during the last attack on Laputa.
He’d had a hard time dealing with the demonic beast Ki Baek-jun had summoned.
But… this time, a being even greater than that would appear.
Could they really hold out?
“Director Kang, is this information solid? We’re not just taking a big swing and missing, are we?”
Lee Hye-min, the tanker of the Anyang Duo, asked.
She seemed unconvinced by the prediction that someone would attack this place. No, preparing for the worst was good, but she thought it was a definite waste to have such incredible power sitting idly here.
“Well, Chief Woo Seong-mun personally requested it, so it must be true, right? He’s always reliable when it comes to this stuff.”
“No, I don’t think that was the old man’s idea.”
The one who said that was Han Tae-san.
“Don’t you know he’s been treating that greenhorn like his big brother lately?”
He was sitting in a chair with his feet up on the table, an expression of utter boredom on his face.
At this, Kang Hee-seol snorted and retorted.
“Oh? What kind of conspiracy theory is the Fist King trying to spin now?”
“Tsk, can’t you tell just by looking? The influence of that kid, Lee Hyun-wook, is wafting all over this.”
Kang Hee-seol let out a smirk. In truth, she also believed it was Lee Hyun-wook’s idea.
But seeing Han Tae-san fuming with jealousy like this was quite amusing.
“I heard you got thoroughly beaten when you fought him on Jeju Island. Don’t tell me you’re just grumbling behind his back out of jealousy?”
“What? Lady, do you really think I was going all out back then? If you do, you’re still an amateur.”
As Kang Hee-seol’s eyebrows twitched at his words, Oh Kyung-pyo stepped between them with a chuckle.
“Anyway, they say the real game is here, right? If they’re stationing us here, it must be for real, don’t you think?”
*Thump—!*
Just then, a massive vibration echoed from somewhere, cutting off all conversation.
“…This doesn’t feel like an ordinary tremor, does it?”
Lee Hye-min said as she got up from the sofa and approached the window.
She slowly raised the blinds.
In that instant—
*Craaaash—!*
The building directly in front of them began to collapse entirely.
*Rumble, rumble, rumble…*
That wasn't the end of it.
Next, the building beside it caved in as if undergoing a controlled demolition.
All the buildings in the vicinity were collapsing.
Which meant… this place wasn’t safe either.
“…Damn it— get out, now!”
*Cra-cra-cra-crash—!*
Something enormous was rising from beneath the ground.
The moment she shattered the window and threw herself out of the building, something caught Kang Hee-seol’s eye.
It was a bundle of massive tentacles, wrapped around the entire 30-story building.
***
At the same time, on the outer railing of Laputa, Park Jun-mo, Lee Jeong-jun, and other guards were gathered.
“Ah… so someone really is targeting Laputa again.”
Park Jun-mo gripped Laputa’s railing and shook his head as he looked down below.
Standing next to him, Lee Jeong-jun also nodded with a fed-up expression.
“You’re telling me. They’re so persistent. I doubt even the Sui Dynasty was this relentless with their invasions… I guess it’s a good thing President Lee called in those amazing reinforcements and hid them in Laputa.”
Just then, Park Jun-mo carefully lifted something.
It was none other than ‘Mjolnir.’
*Bzzzt—!*
A thick current of electricity flowed from within it.
“Phew— a legendary-grade weapon… I’m not going to accidentally drop it off the railing, am I?”
As Park Jun-mo said that, he seemed to genuinely get scared and started backing away.
*Cra-cra-cra-crash—!*
A tumultuous noise began to rise from the ground.
And the dusty white smoke that billowed up from the collapse of several buildings soared all the way to Laputa.
“Alright, whatever comes up, just turn it into a barbecue!”
“Yes! I’ve been struck by lightning countless times just for today!”
For the past few days, Lee Hyun-wook had been striking Park Jun-mo with Mjolnir’s skill, ‘Wrath of the Thunder God.’
As a result, a powerful control over electric currents, incomparable to before, now coursed through his body.
*Ruuuumble—*
Even though he hadn’t used the ‘Wrath of the Thunder God’ skill yet, a vast number of dark clouds were already gathering.
And…
- Congratulations! A special condition has been met, unlocking your ‘Potential.’ (Current Control +100%)