Chapter 47
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Dongdaemun Station, the Source of Corruption, and a Great Sword -2
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Lee Hyun-wook messed up the sanctuary office just enough.
He staged it to look like there had been a struggle.
Immediately after, he radioed Ahn Min-tae and Kim Se-hee.
"Wh-what is this..."
They were startled the moment they entered the sanctuary.
The sanctuary manager was dead, his head slumped on the desk. Their reaction was only natural.
"Sergeant Lee Hyun-wook, wh-what happened here?"
Lee Hyun-wook recited the script he had prepared.
When he accidentally spilled the coffee the man had served him onto a steel bead imbued with divine power, black smoke had billowed up. When he voiced his suspicion, the man had drawn a knife and attacked.
So, he had no choice but to kill him on the spot.
The two of them seemed to believe him without question...
"Seriously! What have you been doing?"
Kim Se-hee suddenly flared up.
"Pardon?"
"Why were you sitting here alone? Didn't you tell me not to go anywhere by myself earlier?"
"Haha..."
"You think this is funny? If something happens to our commander in a place like this, what are we supposed to do...?"
Since he couldn't exactly tell them it was all part of a plan, he could only manage an awkward expression at her reprimand.
"By the way, could this be... related to the terrorists who attacked our unit?"
As Ahn Min-tae said, they had been on guard against not just monsters, but also 'terrorists' since before they set out.
They probably hadn't expected something so similar to actually happen.
Instead of answering, Lee Hyun-wook held out a black box.
It was the 'Demon's Bell,' an item that attracted hell-born creatures in the vicinity.
"I'm not certain, but he was trying to use monsters to massacre the refugees in the shelter."
"That's insane..."
There were currently over 3,000 civilians gathered in this shelter... The thought alone was horrifying.
"But don't tell anyone about this yet."
"Yes, sir. They're already anxious. If this gets out, it'll cause a real panic."
"Right. And... there's one more problem."
Lee Hyun-wook lifted the coffee cup.
"A lot of people have probably already drunk this strange coffee."
At his words, both of them frowned.
"What! Then we have no way of knowing what might happen to who, or when!"
"Whatever poison it is, someone could drop dead at any moment. And it might not even end there."
"Here—"
Lee Hyun-wook took a glass bottle filled with a brown liquid from the cabinet and handed it to them.
The moment they took it, the item's information appeared before their eyes.
- You have acquired Beastification Potion No. 3. (Player-crafted item)
In other words, anyone who drank that coffee would undergo beastification and transform into a 'werewolf.'
"The symptoms are kindly written here, but the problem is we don't know who drank it."
At this, Kim Se-hee's face lit up as if she'd thought of something.
"As it happens... there's a kid in my unit with a skill that analyzes 'curses' like this."
Kim Se-hee called for Corporal Choi Yoo-jin, a priest from the 2nd Company, who rushed over.
"Yoo-jin, can you figure out who in the shelter drank this potion?"
At Kim Se-hee's question, Choi Yoo-jin examined the Beastification Potion, then made a troubled face.
"Yes, I can, but I'd have to check every single person one by one using my 'Scan' skill. But trying to scan over three thousand people without explaining why would be impossible, wouldn't it?"
Indeed, conducting a full investigation without telling people the horrifying truth would be difficult.
If they could tell them the truth in the first place, they could just ask those who drank the coffee to come forward.
"Then, that monster transformation thing, when do you think it will start?"
"Well... I don't know if you can call it fortunate, but for the curse to manifest, the caster needs to chant an incantation... Since the caster is dead like this, it will be difficult for the magic to activate right away."
"So we don't have to worry for now?"
"There might be other factors the caster set, but yes, for the time being."
After hearing all this, Lee Hyun-wook summed up the situation.
"Alright. We'll keep this under wraps for now... Ahn Min-tae, bring the guard captain and Mr. Lee Jeong-jun here."
"Sir? Uh? Is it okay to show them... this scene?"
"We have no choice. We need their help to control the situation."
Besides the Steel Company, there were a few other Player factions inside this shelter.
Among them, the station guards and Lee Jeong-jun's group were friendly toward the Steel Company.
To control the shelter, he needed to use them.
Soon, the guard captain and Lee Jeong-jun arrived at the sanctuary, and Lee Hyun-wook explained the current situation to them.
"No way... Why would he..."
The guard captain's eyes twitched anxiously as he looked at Gong Hyeon-jun's body.
He looked bewildered and was trying to suppress his nausea. He said that he and a few of his subordinates had been served and had drunk that very coffee this morning.
In other words, they too were in a state where they could 'beastify' at any moment.
"...I don't understand. He seemed like a decent person on the outside."
"Yes, I was almost fooled myself."
Lee Hyun-wook took a secret notebook from Gong Hyeon-jun's drawer and opened it.
"This is the real him. He was a man who enjoyed unethical research."
"That's sick..."
The contents of the secret notebook were utterly gruesome.
It was filled with photos of dissected and dismembered dogs and cats. Another notebook even detailed experiments on lured homeless people, but he didn't bother to take that one out.
This was a log of biological experiments related to 'black magic.'
"There are many people in the world who aren't right in the head. For people like that, the lawless situation of the Wave must have been an opportunity to reveal the desires they'd been hiding. You can't judge people by their appearance."
"Ah..."
In fact, statistics from analyzing the 'victim types' in areas where the Wave had opened showed that killings between Players accounted for a significant percentage.
In other words, the moment it became a lawless zone, someone who looked like an ordinary citizen could turn into a robber, targeting the property and lives of others.
Depending on the situation, trust becomes carelessness.
"And Captain, Mr. Jeong-jun, I have a favor to ask of you both."
The two men looked at Lee Hyun-wook.
"From now on, our unit will descend into the subway to subjugate monsters."
"...What?"
"As I mentioned before, our mission is to search for the 'source of corruption,' and it will inevitably be where there are many monsters. There must be a lot of monsters underground, so we have to check."
"Even so, it's too dangerous. The environment underground will be completely different from the surface..."
At Lee Hyun-wook's declaration, the guard captain didn't hide his skepticism.
He too was underestimating the A.M.T's strength, deeming it impossible.
Just then, Lee Jeong-jun stepped up to support Lee Hyun-wook.
"I've seen them. These guys are no joke. You'll be in for a rude awakening if you judge them by their appearance."
"Hmm..."
"It's true. I guarantee it."
"Hmm..."
Despite Lee Jeong-jun's insistence, the guard captain still looked unconvinced.
He seemed to think that a man like Lee Jeong-jun wasn't impressive enough to vouch for anyone.
At this, Lee Hyun-wook added a word.
"When we go underground, reactivate the magical barrier at the passage. And even if we're on the verge of being annihilated, don't ever open it. As long as you do that, the shelter will remain completely unharmed."
"Uh, that's a bit..."
"Please."
The guard captain nodded as if he had no choice.
"Hah— Alright. I hope that's the right choice."
But Lee Jeong-jun's expression was the complete opposite of the guard captain's.
He looked at Lee Hyun-wook with a firm, determined expression and nodded.
"It's not much, but we'll help too."
Lee Jeong-jun's group consisted of 18 people.
Considering the Steel Company, including Lee Hyun-wook, had 40 members, their force was by no means small in comparison.
It would be foolish to turn away their help in this situation.
"Thank you. But this might be a good opportunity for you as well."
"Pardon? What do you mean..."
Lee Hyun-wook smiled faintly.
"Yes, an opportunity to level up very, very quickly."
***
On the unlit subway platform, it was so dark you couldn't see an inch in front of your face. The sparsely installed emergency lights cast a faint green glow, creating an eerie atmosphere like that of a deep limestone cave.
There...
Dong——
A strange sound, like a grandfather clock in a mansion or a bronze bell at a mountain temple, was echoing.
"...It's started."
The 'Demon's Bell,' which they had set up in the middle of the platform, had activated.
Dong——
As its heavy, low toll spread deep into the tunnel...
Chijijijijiji——!
A cacophony of shrieks began to flow out from the darkness.
Gugugugugu——!
A vibration shook the floor, a massive presence completely different from an approaching subway train.
The A.M.T troops, lined up on the wide staircase connecting the underground platform to the first-floor station, felt the strange phenomenon firsthand. Their gazes were fixed on the tunnel, but they couldn't pierce the darkness.
Their only sense was sound.
Before long, the shrieks and vibrations were right before them...
Kung—gu—gu—gung—!
A series of crashing sounds echoed from that direction.
But they couldn't tell what was happening.
At that moment, a red flare fell onto the tracks, pushing back the darkness.
Pshhh—!
And thus, the horrific sight came into view.
"My God..."
A swarm of Hell Rats, having emerged from the tunnel, was surging like a wave on the tracks. They trampled, clawed, and tangled with each other, pouring through the pre-opened platform screen doors.
Chik—chik—chik—chik—!
It was disgusting. It was less like a swarm of beasts and more like a viscous liquid pouring in.
Simultaneously, an indescribable stench filled the subway.
Fortunately, all A.M.T troops were wearing gas masks, so they were not exposed to the stench.
They held their breath, standing rigidly on the stairs, waiting only for Lee Hyun-wook's command.
"...Hold."
Chikjijijiji—!
The swarm of Hell Rats writhed and tangled near the Demon's Bell.
It was impossible to tell how many there were.
At least several hundred, no, it seemed like over a thousand.
Just then—
"—Now!"
Lee Hyun-wook's shout echoed across the platform.
At the same time, five shots of ice magic were fired, exploding at the tunnel entrance where the rats had come from. In an instant, a wall of ice several tens of centimeters thick formed, completely sealing the massive opening.
"They can't escape now! Advance!"
They were literally 'rats in a trap.'
Clank—clank—clank—clank—
The Steel Company descended the stairs in a solid formation, advancing towards the enemy.
"Second rank, fireballs!"
As Sergeant Son Hye-min, the 2nd Company's senior mage, shouted, the mages standing right behind the tankers cast their fire magic and immediately fell back, while the third rank moved forward to prepare the next attack.
Their movements were like those of 'line infantry.'
Kwa—gwa—gwa—gwa—gwang—!
A pillar of crimson fire erupted in the center of the Hell Rat swarm.
Chiiii!
Dozens of them were instantly incinerated, sending up plumes of black smoke.
They had shut off the sprinklers beforehand, so there was no unfortunate incident of water pouring from the ceiling.
Meanwhile...
"...Please, just for once, shut your eyes, close your mouth, and just do as I say!"
Muttering this in the center of the formation was Kim Se-hee.
She was barely holding back the torrent of curses boiling inside her.
Just then, a wind spirit materialized at the tip of her dagger.
"Hah— Thank you, I'm so grateful!"
The spirit had the form of a small girl, but her expression was full of annoyance.
And... it raised its middle finger at Kim Se-hee.
Kim Se-hee let out a disbelieving laugh. She wondered how things had come to this.
"Right... Hooo— Well, since you've graced us with your presence, you'll do your job, right? Huh?"
The wind spirit nodded with a magnanimous expression and shot forward.
It moved through the air as if dancing, and that alone was enough to stir the already raging flames, causing them to surge like a wave and swallow the Hell Rat horde.
Fwoosh—!
Fire and wind. This too was a simple but effective synergy.
But even after sweeping through them like that, there were still an incredible number of these disgusting rats.
And a cornered rat will bite the cat...
Chik—! Chik—!
They began to charge toward the Steel Company's shield line.
"...Here they come!"
The tankers, standing in a line with their shields locked together, collided with the swarm of rats.
Rats the size of large dogs leaped onto the shields, baring sharp teeth and claws.
Kwang—!
"Hold the line! Don't get pushed back!"
Just then, a brilliant blue whip lashed out at the Hell Rats attacking the shields.
Pajijiji——!
With that one strike, four Hell Rats were simultaneously electrocuted and thrown to the ground.
The one wielding the whip was none other than Park Jun-mo, and it was an electric whip.
Lee Hyun-wook couldn't help but be impressed.
'Park Jun-mo... he's starting to use his ability properly.'
Park Jun-mo's ability wasn't 'magic' but the 'control' of a certain amount of electric current. Now, he had moved beyond simply shooting electricity to maintaining it in a 'fixed form' and using it as a melee weapon.
'He still can't use a large amount of current, but he's starting to get some serious efficiency out of it.'
The electric whip gradually discharged and disappeared after about ten seconds, but it was far more efficient than his past method of just firing five projectiles, a truly dramatic increase in combat power.
Lee Hyun-wook once again confirmed the boy's potential.
"Good! They're starting to melt away! Advance one step!"
As Ahn Min-tae shouted, the tankers moved forward in unison.
With each step, the pile of Hell Rat corpses in front of them was trampled and crushed, and blood soaked their ankles.
Splish— Splosh—
As they pushed forward, the Hell Rat swarm instinctively began to flee to the opposite side.
However,
Clank— Clank—
They had already prepared forces on the other side.
Living Armors, they blocked the path in two ranks, swinging giant hammers and axes.
Thwack—!
The Hell Rats clung to them and swiped with their claws, but they could do little more than scratch the surface of the armor.
'Now.'
At Lee Hyun-wook's signal, the steel beads hidden inside the empty suits of the Living Armors poured out.
They rolled across the floor, weaving between the swarm of Hell Rats.
'Hell Rat fur is naturally quite thick and plentiful, so it's hard to damage them with metal fragments.'
It acted much like fiber-based body armor.
But now, with their fur singed and burned away, it was a different story.
Lee Hyun-wook had been waiting for this moment, for this exact moment.
'Shatter—!'
Pa—ba—ba—ba—bak—!
As if grenades had gone off, dozens of Hell Rats were torn to shreds.
"Their numbers have been significantly reduced!"
"From now on, they're not monsters, just experience points!"
And so, a one-sided battle of annihilation began.
The swarm of over a thousand monstrous rats, unable to mount any meaningful resistance, was swept away by all sorts of attacks—exploding, torn, burned, and ground into a mere pulp that began to pile up on the platform.
It was a brutal scene, but a task that could not be stopped.
About 10 minutes passed...
Fwooooosh——
The platform of Dongdaemun Station Line 1 was now filled with thick smoke and a foul stench.
"...I-it's over."
When someone said that, sighs of relief could be heard from all around.
It was a suffocating battle, no, a slaughter.
And it was also an incredibly efficient level-up time that would never come again.
Lee Jeong-jun and his companions couldn't hide their amazement.
"Did you level up too?"
"Yeah, I went up 2 levels. This is insane."
"Oh..."
A mix of relief, admiration, and wonder filled their words.
For them, this was something they had never experienced before.
Meanwhile, among the company members, it was a moment that once again proved what they called the 'Lee Hyun-wook coin.'
"It was true what they said, you really grow fast if you stick with Sergeant Lee Hyun-wook."
"No, this is more than the rumors. It's just crazy..."
As the others were making a fuss, Ahn Min-tae nodded with a pleased expression.
He had already experienced this several times, so like a prophet, he no longer acted rashly.
- Congratulations! You have leveled up. (LV. 30)
"Ho ho..."
As the system message appeared before his eyes, he had finally reached level 30.
Considering that 2nd Squad Leader Oh Sang-guk was level 31, it was nothing short of explosive growth.
'I'll be there soon, too. C-rank—!'
Even in a world where Players were favored, F to D-ranks were frankly given the cold shoulder.
Only from C-rank, where tiers existed, were you treated as a true Player.
Ahn Min-tae could feel that stage was not far off.
But that wasn't the end of it.
- Congratulations! A special condition has been met, and <Sacred Protection> is granted to this 'party'!
"Huh? Sergeant Ahn Min-tae, are you seeing this?"
"Yeah, Sacred Protection... What is this?"
That message appeared before everyone's eyes.
'...An event buff.'
The Wave was one of the biggest events in this game.
Therefore, various elements different from normal times existed, and 'buffs' were one of them. It seemed they had achieved good results through several battles and met the conditions to trigger a hidden buff.
'This is no small buff. Our combat power has increased significantly.'
Sacred Protection, it was a buff that allowed them to wield sacred power even without using sacred weapons.
Given the nature of this Wave, where dark-type monsters predominantly appeared, this was a huge advantage.
It was as if they had grown another tooth to chew up the whale that was the Wave.
"For now, clean up the area."
Lee Hyun-wook ordered the fire to be put out and brought out sacks to collect the 'Mana Stones.'
There were so many Mana Stones that they filled five sacks with more to spare.
"Wow..."
"This is way more than when we fought that zombie horde earlier."
Everyone was in awe.
It was a sight not often seen by A.M.T soldiers.
'But the real reward is something else.'
The items guarded by the boss monster in the darkness of that tunnel...
Those were true treasures, incomparable to these common drops.
While the cleanup was underway, Lee Hyun-wook called over Ahn Min-tae, Kim Se-hee, and Lee Jeong-jun.
"From now on, we must advance into the tunnel."
At his words, they all glanced toward the tunnel. There was nothing but darkness.
"But the inside is narrower than you'd think, so sending in the entire force would be a bad move. We could end up getting tangled up in confusion. Therefore, I will lead a small force in."
Lee Hyun-wook looked at Kim Se-hee.
"Sergeant Ahn and I will take a squad in. Sergeant Kim and Mr. Jeong-jun, please remain on standby here. If something happens to us, provide support immediately."
The two of them nodded.
"Ahn Min-tae, we're taking only 15 men."
"Yes, sir. I'll pick them out."
Now, it was time to push through the darkness of that tunnel and eliminate the first 'source of corruption.'
'And claim it.'
The beloved sword Lee Hyun-wook had used in his past life,
The legendary greatsword known as the giant sword,
It was time to reclaim 'Morglay.'