Chapter 96
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: War Jitters, War Preparations - 1
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"Do they normally do this? Declare war and all that?"
Kim Se-hee asked while watching the news flash in the Hope Guild office.
"Uh, well..."
Park Cheol-su, whose eyes met hers, scratched his head, seemingly unfamiliar with the issue. Lee Hyun-wook, sitting on the sofa, answered instead.
"Not in the last war, at least."
"The last war... Ah, you mean the Shanghai Reclamation War?"
Lee Hyun-wook nodded.
"Yes, China mobilized its full strength to wage war against the Black Orc Kingdom. That period is divided into four major wars, and neither side ever declared war. They were all surprise attacks without any warning."
That was to be expected. Humans didn't declare war when attacking monsters, either. It was only natural that neither side recognized the other as a state, nor did they consider each other worthy of 'humanitarian' treatment.
"Hmm... But why declare war this time?"
...Good question. Lee Hyun-wook was pondering that very point himself.
Meanwhile, on the TV news, an anchor and an expert were having a conversation.
- ...Right now, the Black Orc Kingdom's military strength, or perhaps we should call it their conquest difficulty? In any case, it's said to be considerable. If they were to invade our country, could we stop them?
- Well, it would likely require a full mobilization of not just all A.M.T. forces, but every private guild's forces as well, just to barely hold them off.
- So, this wouldn't be like the monster fights we're used to. It could truly become a total war between nations, is that right?
- Yes. Hasn't China already failed in the previous Shanghai Reclamation 'War'? In fact, many view it not as a failure, but a defeat. It was predicted back then that another large-scale war would break out. The target, however... has strangely become us.
- And the reason for this declaration of war is 'Laputa,' correct?
- That's right. The orcs claim that something belonging to a Black Orc 'ancestor' is inside Laputa, but its identity remains unknown. The government has so far remained completely silent on the matter of Laputa...
'Hmm, a weapon of a Black Orc ancestor...'
At that, Lee Hyun-wook thought he should ask Talos about it.
A story like that wouldn't just come out of nowhere; there had to be something to it.
- But wasn't China before the second wave much stronger than it is now? I heard their military power was about five times that of our country today...
- Yes, their large population meant they had many Players, but they lost a significant portion of that strength during the second wave and the Shanghai Reclamation War.
- In that case, our chances of winning are slim to none. Hmm... is there any possibility of a diplomatic solution with the Black Orc Kingdom? For instance, giving them the item they want, this ancestral relic...
As expected, the conversation was far from hopeful, and the entire Republic of Korea was plunged into shock and fear. The Korean stock market plummeted overnight, and foreigners began to flee the country.
'...Right, their primary goal is to stir up fear.'
That was one of the intentions behind this sudden declaration of war.
Situations like this had occurred several times in his past life. Villain factions would use the Black Orc Kingdom to instigate the threat of war in East Asia.
'It's like how North Korea used to fire missiles at the drop of a hat.'
Stirring up fear inevitably led to economic recession, and further, to chaos and internal division. This made it easier for the Villains to exploit the cracks and achieve their ulterior motives.
The important thing now was to figure out what those 'ulterior motives' were.
'They're definitely planning something...'
That evening, he received a call from Woo Seong-mun.
And the contents of the call... were as expected, but utterly absurd.
- Someone has appeared in China, claiming to have administrator rights to Laputa. And... he's a rather famous Ranker.
The 'Chinese Laputa Key Holder theory' that had been circulating in China for a while was now being asserted as truth by a Chinese faction.
- This Chinese guild is called <Hongdo>. Forty minutes ago, they contacted us, claiming they are Laputa's administrators and demanding we hand over access rights. Ha ha... They said if we did, they could easily fend off the Black Orcs when they invade the Korean peninsula.
His voice was laced with disbelief.
"I see. But if that story spreads, it will become problematic in many ways. We haven't released any information about Laputa, so our people will have no choice but to worry that China might really have such authority. It will only heighten the anxiety."
It was obvious. If voices rose in China demanding they reclaim Laputa, their rightful property, from Korea, the Korean public would in turn pressure their government to reveal the truth—
- Yes, that's how it would play out. But what's strange is... the Chinese side also added a rather ridiculous request, suggesting that if there's another Laputa administrator in Korea, they should meet and discuss the matter.
'...Huh? What's this about?'
At that point, Lee Hyun-wook realized their objective.
'So they're after the <Laputa Administrator Rights> after all.'
By creating a situation where the Laputa administrator had no choice but to reveal themselves, they were pressuring him out into the open. It was a way to identify their assassination target.
Of course, Lee Hyun-wook had no intention of playing along with that scenario.
"There's no way they're telling the truth, so they must have another objective."
- I agree. We won't be swayed by such a transparent ploy.
Right, there's a saying: don't feed the trolls. The best response to such absurd political maneuvering, designed to create noise, was to not respond at all.
'Taking the bait and drawing the world's attention will only complicate things.'
Woo Seong-mun continued, saying that they were monitoring the Shanghai vicinity with military satellites, but there was no movement from the main Black Orc forces yet.
'Just as I thought. The declaration of war was nothing but a blatant fear-mongering tactic.'
Thus, the government began preparing for a potential infiltration while focusing on the possibility that this incident was a 'show' with an ulterior motive.
However...
'...That doesn't mean the Black Orc invasion is a lie.'
In a few years, the Black Orc army would indeed invade the Korean peninsula.
A fleet of ragged ships, filling the sky and sea, would simultaneously strike and occupy the west coast. They would then install 'totems' that caused corrosion, and eventually, Jeju Island would fall and become a Black Orc colony.
'But this time, it's going to happen sooner.'
Since Lee Hyun-wook had thwarted all of the Villains' schemes, it was highly likely they would play their Black Orc card a little earlier.
'The way to deal with them is... overwhelming firepower.'
He needed a deterrent force that would prevent anything from invading this land, and destructive power so great it would make them come to their senses and never dream of such ambitions again.
For instance, a great cannon that could obliterate their fleet before they even made landfall...
Just then, he got a call from Yeo Sang-min, who was on standby in Laputa.
- Hey... This dwarf guy says he's successfully contacted his people back home. I think we need to start preparing for their migration.
The engineers who would build that mighty cannon would soon arrive.
***
[Hidden Quest]
- Encounter with a Dimensional Traveler - 3
You have designated a migration site for the Gray Mountain Dwarves.
They are scheduled to appear through a 'rift' in 8 days.
At that moment, prepare for an unforeseen 'accident'.
* Quest Reward: Varies based on performance.
And today was the eighth day.
Soon, a portal would open in the sky, and the dwarf race would appear.
'And from within... wyverns will fall out, too.'
That was why Laputa was currently in the midst of preparing for a 'siege.'
"Alright, Team 3, move to the B43 outer railing!"
"Ice mages, gather around the central area here!"
Recently, a new 'New City Planning Department' had been established within the Special Secret Police Bureau. With them at the core, the secret department known as the <Bihyeongrang> team, who had assisted during the Abaddon summoning prevention, had been dispatched as support.
The total number of Players mobilized was about a hundred.
"Hey, install a magic turret on Tower 8, too!"
To face the powerful flying monsters known as wyverns, they were installing anti-air weapon-type items all over Laputa.
Among them was the <Railgun's Mace>, a 'Master' grade weapon that had wiped out the iron-armored venomous insects on Mt. Cheongryong during the wave.
'But electrical attacks aren't very effective against wyverns.'
Lee Hyun-wook thought as he watched the scene.
Wyverns were a species that flew at high altitudes, so they were likely to be struck by lightning. As such, their bodies were naturally structured to channel away electricity, and they possessed a high resistance to it.
So, what was the best way to subdue a wyvern?
Lee Hyun-wook knew the answer very well.
"Yeo Sang-min, bring all the boxes that came from the Republic of Chad."
"Ah, you're planning to install them here?"
Lee Hyun-wook nodded.
In the distance, another Yeo Sang-min ran out from the Order Tower, boarded the Hringhorni at the airship port, and piloted it over.
*Whirrrrrr—*
"So, should I land it over here?"
"No, don't land. Just move it a little to the left."
As if responding to a voice command, the Hringhorni immediately moved.
'As expected, using Yeo Sang-min means no delays in getting things done.'
Indeed, Yeo Sang-min's presence drastically increased work efficiency.
'By the way, I'll have to tell him how to grow his ability soon.'
Yeo Sang-min also had a non-level-based growth mechanism where the number of his 'clones' increased each time he consumed a specific item. Although the item was extremely rare, it could likely be found on the black market.
*Clank—*
Lee Hyun-wook dragged four metal crates off the Hringhorni.
Inside them were what looked like wooden vines, but they emanated a brilliant light, proving they were no ordinary objects.
"Whoa..."
It was, unbelievably... again... a vine from the World Tree.
'Man, the World Tree is just broken.'
There was a reason the Republic of Chad thrived on the World Tree alone.
'In that sense, if I nurture Laputa well, it could be just as good, right?'
This floating city, Laputa, was also a 'transcendent-grade object.' As it developed, it would surely pour out incredible benefits—and the Gray Mountain Dwarf tribe, set to move in today, would be the first step.
"Um, how did you manage to get these precious items? I don't think things like this are even circulated on the black market..."
These were, of course, procured and sent by Emilia Müller, and then specially processed at Kang Jeong-du's workshop for a specific purpose.
The resulting crafted item was...
[Item Information]
- Name: World Tree's Grappling Hook (Proficient)
- Effect: Hook the 'grapple' at the end of the vine onto something and infuse it with mana to pull it with mysterious power very easily.
This would be the trump card, the 'weapon' to deal with the wyverns.
And a short while later...
"Alright! The preparations to open the dimensional gate are complete!"
Soiller shouted from the central plaza of Laputa's 'Upper City.'
Behind him stood the old junker airship he had arrived in, with a sharp mechanical device attached to its bumper.
According to Soiller, that was the device that opened the dimensional gate.
"So, should we start right now?"
Lee Hyun-wook nodded in response to Soiller's question.
"Yes, we're ready. Let's invite your family."
At that, Team Leader Lee Gyo-jun, standing beside him, used a mana messenger to order the forces scattered across Laputa to prepare for battle.
"Hahaha! To think such a happy day would come—!"
Soiller cheered and pressed a button on a remote control.
A beam of light shot out from the sharp part of the device, reaching about 100 meters into the sky, where it began to coalesce into a ball. A moment later... the space at that point crumpled like a thin sheet of plastic.
*Gwo-o-o-o—!*
Just like that, a purple gate opened in the sky above Laputa.
*Gulp—*
Behind him, someone swallowed dryly. The members of the Bihyeongrang team were all seasoned elites, yet they showed signs of nervousness this time.
Well... the arrival of 'wyverns' had been foretold. Anyone with the slightest knowledge of those creatures couldn't help but be tense.
Each individual was level 85 or higher, and they were extremely tricky predators that moved in packs... When they appeared, it would take well over a month to subjugate them, and a no-fly zone would be declared in the area.
"Hoo... Please, let this end without any trouble..."
They knew that if they failed to subdue them here... it could mean unleashing a disaster upon Seoul down below.
That was what they feared.
Just then, the purple gate began to squirm.
"—They're coming out!"
*Fwoosh—!*
The first thing to emerge was a grayish-brown junker airship, but it was enormous, looking at least thirty times larger than the one Soiller had arrived on.
*Rumble, rumble, rumble—*
"Hahaha! It's here! That's our mothership, the <Gray Slug>!"
Following it, airships of all shapes and sizes popped out one after another, ascending higher into the sky. However, they didn't seem to be great pilots, as they bumped into each other in mid-air like bumper cars.
"Hahaha! Always so clumsy when they get excited—!"
But Soiller was still smiling brightly.
Perhaps... this was a fairly common occurrence.
'Are these guys really technicians I can trust...?'
Soon, a total of 12 airships were lined up in the sky. The hatch of the last airship to emerge opened, and someone poked their head out.
"Soiller— everyone's out, close the gate now!"
"Ah, right— where's my head at..."
But—
*Keeee-eeee-eeeh—!*
'Right, I knew you'd be a step too late, just like last time.'
This, too, was a kind of event. The battle was inevitable.
In the blink of an eye, five wyverns streamed out in a line.
"Whoops! Too late again, darn it—!"
And so, monsters with gray bodies and wingspans that must have exceeded 30 meters spread their wings in the skies of Laputa. They looked around, seeming unfamiliar with the suddenly changed scenery after passing through the gate.
- Gray Wyvern (LV. 89)
They bared their sharp teeth and let out a screech.
At that moment, Lee Hyun-wook raised his left hand.
The 'World Tree's Grappling Hooks' that had been coiled behind his back began to stretch up towards the sky. Since the hooks at the ends were 'metal,' Lee Hyun-wook could control them.
*Swish—! Swish—! Swish—! Swish—!*
In an instant, they began to wrap around the wyverns' wings.
The power of the World Tree—it took only a moment for their wings to be folded.
*Gack—!*
And when he infused mana and pulled, they resisted for a moment like massive fish on a line, but soon began to be reeled in.
'A wyvern is a powerful monster. But if it falls to the ground—'
*THUD—!*
The enormous beasts fell helplessly to the ground.
"—Now! Unleash all attacks!"
Their greatest advantage, their mobility, was lost.
In other words, they became very easy prey.
"Team Leader Kim, attack quickly! This is all experience points!"
"...Uh, ah! Got it!"
At Lee Hyun-wook's words, Kim Se-hee summoned dozens of wind blades.
Just as he said, this was a leveling opportunity that wouldn't come again.
***
A short while later, junker-like airships landed all over Laputa.
"Wow! Soiller, is this really our new home?"
"It is! I found a good spot, didn't I?"
"My goodness, you didn't just find a good spot, th-this is Laputa, the greatest masterpiece created by the gnomes!"
"Hahaha! That's right! We are blessed!"
The hundreds of Gray Mountain Dwarves were speechless with admiration. Just like Soiller when he first arrived, they were jumping around with excitement.
About an hour later, the dwarves began to unpack. As a race of brilliant technicians, they possessed all sorts of bizarre items.
Amidst it all, Lee Hyun-wook was searching for something.
'...Finally found it.'
Among the rusty, junk-like dwarven equipment, a single piece of metal gear stood out, maintaining a brilliant luster all on its own.
At a glance, it was an object made with gnome technology.
'...So, it's finally time?'
As Lee Hyun-wook approached it, Soiller walked over with a smile.
"Heh heh heh— curious what this is, are you?"
"Yes, it looks like a slot machine."
It really did. With a coin slot and a lever, it was the spitting image of a slot machine.
"This is something our race loves more than anything. To us, it's our property! Our entertainment! And our livelihood! It's an amazing thing!"
Lee Hyun-wook stood before it, half-listening to the explanation.
Then he plopped a plastic bag onto the ground.
Inside was a large pile of metal chunks.
*Clink— Clank—*
The moment the contents were revealed—
"Gasp—!"
The eyes of all the dwarves in the vicinity snapped towards it.
"N-N-No... is that—!"
It was none other than the 'Ancient Coin of the Underground Kingdom.'
"N-No way! So many ancient coins!"
Lee Hyun-wook had asked Go Jun-cheol to gather all of these for him. Their value was slowly beginning to be recognized, but they were still considered 'junk items' with an unclear purpose, so they were easy to purchase.
He had collected a total of 141.
"This is what's needed to operate this machine, correct?"
Soiller nodded, his face blank.
"Yes... that's the coin that operates the <Gnome's Subspace Material Vending Machine>. How in the world did you get so many of those precious things?"
This slot machine-like item would later become a must-have, game-breaking piece of equipment for every renowned blacksmithing guild in the world.
Because when you used it, it would dispense a random material item.
'And with an astronomically low probability, something completely insane can come out.'
Something that made legendary metals like Adamantite or Orichalcum look like nothing...
*Clink—*
He inserted the first coin.
The <Gnome's Subspace Material Vending Machine> lit up.
"Hoo— Right, luck will surely be on your side!"
*Clatter!*
When Lee Hyun-wook pulled the lever, the slots began to spin with a whir.
And the moment they stopped,
*Bam— pa-ra— bam— bam— bam—!*
A somewhat childish but cheerful fanfare rang out.
"—Holy shit!"
This came along with a string of curses from the dwarves watching beside him...
And Lee Hyun-wook found himself swallowing hard without realizing it.