Chapter 73
Chapter 73
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Ambush
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Right now, similar incidents are happening simultaneously across the country."
As Carlson finished speaking, Lea, the team's medic, asked in a trembling voice.
"Squad leader Carlson. That... that's the biological weapon damage the government announced, isn't it?"
"That's our current assumption."
Carlson nodded.
"But it won't be a problem. As you can see in the footage, they die when shot. Especially destroying the head is the most effective."
His firm voice brought a sense of relief to the team members.
"Our mission hasn't changed. No matter what happens, secure the VIP safely and extract. Any questions?"
No one answered.
"Good. Now, I'll explain the operation plan."
Carlson brought up a new hologram. It was a detailed satellite map of the outskirts of Seoul. A red dot was blinking at one point on the map.
"The location of our VIP client, Ms. Yui-na, whom we need to secure, is the penthouse on the top floor of a building owned by Yuseong Group, located on the outskirts of Gangnam. Fortunately, it's quite a distance from the city center where the infections are concentrated."
"A building?"
"Is the inside of that building safe?"
"We can't communicate with VIP Yui-na right now. So we have no idea about that. That's why we need to hurry."
Carlson handed out small PDA terminals to each team member that could be worn on the wrist.
"Check your terminals. They contain the shortest route to the target point and detailed information on the VIP we need to secure."
I checked the terminal I'd received. Tapping it a few times brought up a hologram map above it.
'This tech is insane.'
The map showed a green line marking a relatively safe route from our current position to Yui-na's penthouse.
"The route inputted in the PDA is designed to avoid densely infected areas based on satellite data as much as possible. Following it will minimize unnecessary combat."
Carlson brimmed with confidence, clearly trusting Titan Security's informational advantage.
"Given the situation, we can't predict when an unexpected threat might arise. But if we stick to the plan, this isn't a mission we can't succeed. It might even be easier than we expect."
At that moment, Sera raised her hand and asked a question.
"Squad leader. What if we encounter enemies along the route?"
"Kill them immediately."
His voice carried no emotion, as if discussing pest extermination.
"Remember, they're no longer human. Sympathy is a luxury. Aim precisely for the head and finish them for sure."
Carlson looked around at us, emphasizing once more.
"Then what about uninfected civilians?"
This time, I asked the question.
"Use rubber bullets if possible. Given the circumstances, some use of force will be excused, but we have to consider after this all settles. Creating unnecessary civilian casualties won't do us any good. But if they pose a threat to our mission..."
Carlson gave us a meaningful look. The implication in his eyes was clear.
"Don't hesitate to pull the trigger."
With that, the briefing ended. We strapped on our issued PDAs, checked our weapons and ammo one last time.
I confirmed the assault rifle's magazine and secured my pistol in its holster.
"C Team operation commence!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Move out! Everyone, board the vehicle!"
At Carlson's command, C Team climbed into the hefty armored military vehicle waiting in the center of camp.
The top mounted a .50 cal machine gun, and the body was covered in armor thick enough to shrug off most gunfire.
'Fucking solid. Should hold up until we run out of fuel.'
The interior was cramped, but sufficient for five team members. Marcus took the machine gunner seat, and the rest sat facing each other.
The engine roared to life, and the vehicle rolled out.
The team members relieved tension in their own ways. Sera checked her rifle, Lea meditated with eyes closed.
Pretending to fiddle with my wrist PDA among them, I checked my floating profile window in the air.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ 📛 Name: Kim Joo-hyuk
💼 Job: Titan Security Mercenary
⚡ Strength: 24(21+3) 💨 Agility: 17(15+2) ✨ Intelligence: 4(3+1) 🍀 Luck: 29(27+2) 【Threat Detection】: Instinctively detects threats from enemies outside your field of view or in hiding. 【Tactical Marksmanship】: Slightly increases accuracy and reload speed with all firearms. [Ability Slots (3/3)]
【Warp SSS】 (Unique Ability / Cannot Unequip) 【Third Eye C-】 【Authority, Reversal】 [Skill Slots (0/4)]
(Empty) (Empty) (Empty) (Empty) [Passives]
【Inventory】 【Emperor's Mark Lv 1】 【Strength F】 [Ability / Skill Storage]
(Empty) 'The skill slots got emptied out because of the passive unlock from becoming Rookie rank.'
It was good news for me. As long as I had enough DC, it meant plenty of space to buy and slot in abilities from this planet.
Finally, time to check the main perk.
Perks:
1. Immune
⚙ PERK: IMMUNE ⚙ You possess perfect immunity to the virus spreading on this planet. Even if bitten or scratched by zombies, you will not be infected. 'In a zombie apocalypse, immunity is the real staple ability. With this, maybe I can make a vaccine or cure using my bodily fluids?'
2. Root
⚙ PERK: ROOT ⚙ Your real body's stats apply directly on this planet. 'I already knew that one.'
3. Ability Gamble: Grants a random powerful starting ability. Check now!
Glancing around, I tapped Ability Gamble. A cheerful fanfare rang in my ears.
🎉 ABILITY GAMBLE RESULT! 🎉 Time Warp has been won!!!! 'Time Warp?'
3. Time Warp
⚙ PERK: TIME WARP ⚙ You can turn back time and return to a specific point in the past. Change the future with your choices. Usage Conditions: Activates only under specific conditions and locations.
Side Effect: Upon use, time trackers who recognize your existence will pursue you across space-time.
This felt like hitting the mega jackpot beyond a mere windfall.
'If I can just deal with these time trackers or whatever, this planet's basically free real estate.'
I couldn't help but grin at scoring 'Time Warp.' But the joy was short-lived. Sera, sitting next to me, poked my side with her elbow and whispered.
"Hey. What are you staring at?"
There was a sharp edge to Sera's voice. I realized I'd been staring too obviously at the profile window ahead. I quickly pretended to look at my PDA and casually shot back.
"What?"
"Wow, playing dumb now? Your eyes were about to pop out."
Glancing where her chin pointed, there sat Lea, C Team's medic from Titan Security. Eyes closed, hands neatly folded on her knees, deep in meditation.
Amid the noisy engine and bumpy ride, her face evoked the calm of a still lake.
But mismatched with that serenity, her body was incredibly voluptuous.
The form-fitting combat suit hid nothing of her ample figure.
Above her slim waist rose massive breasts, straining as if ready to burst through the fabric at any moment.
Every time the vehicle hit a rough patch, Lea's hefty tits jiggled elastically, defying gravity.
'Holy shit, unbelievable. ...But damn, they really are fucking huge.'
I admired inwardly.
Lea's breasts rivaled Han Yu-ra's K-cup mammaries in size. If Yu-ra's boasted sheer mass and softness, Lea's flaunted perfect shape and firmness.
Most guys would probably prefer Lea's over Yu-ra's.
"So, got something to say to me?"
I snapped curtly at Sera. Her jealous glare was annoying.
She wasn't even my current girlfriend—just an ex.
"Wow... You've gotten so shameless since we broke up..."
As Sera started to say more—
Ssss—
Without warning, a chill raced up my spine, like an ice cube slipped down my shirt.
'This is...!'
I shouted reflexively.
"Everyone, brace for impact!"
No sooner had the words left my mouth than the vehicle shook violently, then lifted into the air with a deafening boom.
Boom!
The world flipped upside down in an instant.