Queen Hunting (1)
Queen Hunting (1)
"Oppa!!"
At Minseo's echoing voice, I stopped the two feet that had been running busily.
"Is the hunt already over?"
"Is hunting the issue right now?! You clearly said you were going with thorough preparation!"
"I don't know, that bastard Captain Kim told me to go right now."
"But...!"
"Don't worry. Even if everyone else dies, I'll survive and come back."
"I'll be waiting..."
"M-Me too!"
"Yeah. When I get back, I'll fuck you hard and deep, so look forward to it."
"You said that yesterday too..."
"Beast..."
Honestly, rather than these girls, I wanted to fuck those American bitches I ran into once more on the way to meet James Lee, but it's not the time yet.
Let's just cleanly take care of what's right in front of us first.
"Preparation for departure is complete."
"Quit nagging. By the way, is that Queen still there?"
"We must hurry. It's slow, but it's moving deeper into the building. However, if we leave right now, we can face the bastard the moment we enter through the window."
"Okay. Then let's go~"
"Be careful!!"
"Don't get hurt!!"
Dududududu!!!
Sent off by Minseo and Kwon Juha, I boarded the helicopter whose propeller had begun to spin vigorously, and headed to the Memorial Hall along with a total of eight soldiers excluding the pilot.
"The operation team is the same as last time. These three will drop us off, take off, and lower the Lexus Nets according to the extraction time."
"What's that?"
"A rescue basket equipped with a net."
"Ah~ then explain it simply. Stop acting like a know-it-all. Anyway, how are we going to infiltrate?"
"First, put this on."
With the help of another soldier next to me, I put on something like a mountaineering belt and received brief instruction on how to rappel down using a rope.
"So you're saying I just need to pull the rope with my right hand, adjust the angle, catch the brake, and go down? Why are you explaining it in such a difficult way?"
"......"
"I understood, so just hurry up and tie it."
"We will secure the rope after going down."
While Sergeant Kim Jihoon checked my equipment once more with a reluctant expression, I started shopping using the 1,000 coins received from Kim Hyunjun, the 500 coins received from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the 136 coins I had.
[Purchased Strength Lv.13 (290 coins).]
[Automatically purchased lower stats (850 coins).]
[The player's information is updated.]
[Reached Strength Lv.10.]
[Congratulations.]
[Purchased Agility Lv.13 (290 coins).]
[The player's information is updated.]
Just raising Strength by 5 levels blew away 1,140 coins, and with the additional purchase of Level 13 Agility, my remaining coins were 206.
Fuck, having 1,500 coins isn't even close to enough.
[Purchased Steel Mace (200 coins).]
With the mace appearing out of thin air grasped in my hand, I finished all combat preparations.
By the way, is it because my Strength went up to 13?
The round weight at the end and everything else seems heavier than the mace I used last time, yet it feels much lighter.
『Name: Kang Hajin (27)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 77kg
Traits: Resilient Mind (D), Agile Movement (E), Steel Muscles (D)
Coins: 6
[Strength Lv.13] [Agility Lv.13] [Stamina Lv.6] [Luck Lv.3]』
Man, my stat balance is the absolute worst.
Strength and Agility are at the same figure, but Stamina, which is the most fundamental base for everything, isn't even half of that.
Anyway, this fight is a short-term battle, not a long-term one, and as seen through the thermal imaging camera, the bastard boasts a considerable bulk, which is why I invested stats focusing on Strength rather than Agility.
Anyway, my Strength surpassed Level 10, but nothing really seems different.
Moving around, I'll naturally figure this out too, just like with Agility.
Because there definitely has to be some change.
"10 seconds before landing, where is the current target?"
-No change.
"Understood. We are initiating the operation."
-Be careful.
With the cut-off radio communication, the helicopter descended to a certain height and lowered its altitude no more. Starting with Kim Hyunjun, four soldiers jumped down from the helicopter onto the rooftop one by one.
The very last was my turn.
Tadat-
Dududududu!!!
As soon as I landed on the rooftop floor, the helicopter began moving, raising its altitude again as it flew toward the shelter. Having been here once, Kim Hyunjun and the soldiers began moving without hesitation, tying ropes to secure supports and finishing preparations for rappel descent in no time.
"Special Forces really are Special Forces."
"I'll tie the rope for you. I'm sure you'll do fine on your own, but since it's your first time, watch us and follow along."
"Got it. You really are a meddlesome bastard."
"......Pardon me, but how old are you?"
To Kim Jihoon, who couldn't stand the continuous informal speech and asked my age, I answered proudly.
"Twenty-seven. You?"
"...Twenty-four..."
"You look super old. Fuck, I thought you were older than me. Well, you've only got one chevron so you must be young. Then I guess I'm your military senior, huh? Salute me whenever you see me from now on."
"All done."
"Are you not answering?"
"Preparation for descent complete!"
"Hey, buddy! Answer me!"
Kim Hyunjun grabbed my shoulder as I tried to chase after Kim Jihoon, who was running away to the side of the other soldiers.
"The operation is starting. And there is no reason for Sergeant Kim to salute you, someone who isn't even a soldier."
"Who doesn't know that? I was just joking around."
"Save the jokes until after the operation succeeds."
"......I don't like your tone. It sounds like you're giving orders every single time."
"Immediately after infiltration, we will make a preemptive strike, so don't be stupid and rush forward to get yourself killed."
"Are you listening to me? Your tone is unpleasant."
"Everyone prepare for descent!"
"Hey, buddy! Fuck's sake...!"
Realizing how to deal with me, without even replying to my words and only saying what he needed to say, Kim Hyunjun hopped over the rooftop railing. Following him, I also crossed the rooftop railing and finished my descent preparations.
"Descent."
Tadat-
Tadat- Tadat- Tadat- Tadat-
Jumping backwards slightly into empty air, Kim Hyunjun and the soldiers skillfully controlled the ropes with their hands and started descending downwards while stepping against the outer wall with both feet, and I too threw my body coolly into the air...
"Uwaah!!"
Kkwaaaak!!!
"Tsk tsk tsk... I knew he'd do that."
"Hey, Kim Jihoon! I can hear everything!"
"......"
"Hoo...."
This is harder than I thought.
At the apartment, I was just tied to a rope and swung like a pendulum to get into the veranda, but this is much harder than that.
Of course, I quickly figured out how to do it by slightly adjusting the rope's angle and gripping force with my animalistic instincts.
Tadadadang!!!
Wajangchangchang!!!
Is it already starting?
From below, the sound of gunshots along with shattering glass windows could already be heard, and the figures of Kim Hyunjun and the soldiers had disappeared.
I increased my descent speed slightly more to chase after them, and a moment later, the moment I entered through the broken window...
Hwiik!!
A black object that rushed past my side flew out the window I had just entered.
"Lieutenant Lee!!!"
What? The thing that flew away was one of the soldiers?
Without even having time to turn my head and check, I started untying the cumbersome belt, and in the meantime, loud gunshots filled the inside of the building.
Tadang!! Tadang!! Tangtang!
Tadadadang!!!
Tadang!! Tadadadang!!!
Tang! Tang! Tang! Tang!
"Cease fire! Kang Hajin innings... no, Kang Hajin!!!"
"Yeah, yeah! I've undone it all now!!"
Tadadat-
Kicking off the ground with the unbuckled belt, I bounced forward.
Even the zombie that escaped from the laboratory raised both arms and blocked all incoming bullets, so it's only natural that this monster-like bastard blocks bullets too.
"Kkieeeeeh!!!"
The bizarre cry of the Queen Zombie, looking more like an ant than a zombie, strikes my eardrums.
Fuck, is this what a lion's roar feels like?!
I want to cover my ears first, but this is no time to afford such luxury.
This place is the 2nd floor, different from last time.
That means the time it takes for the zombies to swarm here is only half.
Lightning-fast execution is the core of this operation.
"Watch out for the front paws!"
Shwi-i-ik!!!
The front paws dropping down at terrifying speed.
The speed is in a completely different class from the zombies I've faced so far.
Of course, it's not so fast that I can't dodge it.
Tadat-
Paak!!!
A sharp, awl-like front paw thicker than my thigh plunges into the floor, and debris scatters in all directions.
In speed, it's almost neck-and-neck with me, who possesses Level 13 Agility and the Agile Footstep trait, and looking at the shattered floor, it's a monster that has the upper hand in strength compared to me.
I'm not yet certain since I don't know how strong my own strength has become, but one thing for sure is that I came here thinking too lightly of it.
Deep down, I thought even if I got stronger, it'd all be around the same...
"Kim Hyunjun! Go out and block the zombies!"
"Kang Hajin and I will handle this place! You guys defend the stairs!"
"You get out there too, you retarded bastard!"
"You alone are no match."
Tadadadang!!!
Geu-geu-geuk!!
Kkaga-gagang!!
As Kim Hyunjun shoots at the head of the Queen Zombie, whose upper body is slightly raised, not only the front paw stuck in the ground but even the other front paw covers the head, blocking the bullets.
Seeing it instinctively protect its head, even if its appearance is different, this monster bastard's weakness is its head, just like other zombies.
Besides, the head position is way too high!
Its large belly, which seems slightly hollowed out as if it had just spewed out moisture-filled zombie eggs, is stuck to the floor, but due to its upper body being raised slightly either to use its front paws or to protect its head, the height of its head is almost at the level of a basketball hoop.
To describe it realistically, it's lower than that, but it's at least around 2 meters 80 centimeters.
Anyway, having its head that high means that in order to kill the bastard, I'd have to leap into the air defenselessly or climb up its body, and both methods carry too much risk.
It's not some sluggish bastard; it has a speed almost comparable to mine.
"Kkieeeeeh!!!"
Fuck, you shot your gun so it got even more excited!
"Get out of the way!"
Pak! Pak! Pak! Pak! Pak!
The two front paws that had blocked the bullets fall not toward Kim Hyunjun who shot the gun, but toward me standing close by.
While quickly dodging the attack by running sideways and backward, Kim Hyunjun, as if never getting tired, fired his gun again, and the moment the bastard's front paws were retracted again to protect its head.
Tadadat-
I too quickly closed the distance with the Queen that had moved away, gripping the mace in my right hand tightly.
Kkwaaaaak!!!
What is this?
Because it's the force going into my hand, I can feel it more clearly.
That my strength has become much stronger than I expected.
If this is the case, is it worth a shot?
Hwuuuung!!!!
Ppagaak!!!!
Fuck, what kind of sound is this?!
A sound resembling armor breaking echoes out, and the shell wrapping around the bastard's torso shatters away.
However, this didn't inflict any damage.
How do I know?
Because the two red eyes attached to the bastard's head, which had dropped slightly to the side, are staring right at me.
"Keep firing!!"
"Kkieeeeeh!!"
Tadadadang!!!
The Queen's grotesque screech bursting forth along with my voice, and immediately followed by the sound of Kim Hyunjun's gunshots.
Wait, what is this bastard?
Why isn't it blocking its head?!
Kkaga-gagang!!!
Bullets that hit the Queen's head dead-on bounced off making a metallic clanging sound, and its two front paws slashed diagonally as they dropped down toward me.
"Fuck!!!"
Kkaang!!!
Peoeok!!!!
With the mace I hurriedly raised, fortunately colliding with the first-falling front paw, my body bounced backward and slammed into the wall.
The power of one paw was this much; if I had blocked both paws and bounced off, I wouldn't even have been able to get up.
Anyway...
"Keuheuk!!"
As if my blood was boiling from the impact of hitting the wall, hot liquid filled my throat and spewed out along with a bursting moan.
"Heok.. heok.. ggeok..! Oh, fuck, ramen..."
Fortunately, it wasn't blood.
It was just the undigested ramen I ate this morning coming back up.
Thanks to that, my stomach feels a bit lighter.
"Kang Hajin!!"
"Stop calling me! We'll end up getting attached!!"
Tadat-
Kwagagak!!!
As soon as I threw my body to the side, the wall scratched by the sharp front paw broke and debris poured down. Standing up after rolling across the floor once, I twisted my body and swung the mace toward the Queen's subsequently flying front paw.
Just a moment ago, I bounced back unable to withstand the force.
Kkaang!!!
Deudeudeuk!!!
This time, I endured it by sliding backward.
With this, it became certain what kind of power Level 10 Strength bestows.
Instantaneous explosive power.
Instantaneous force, which can also be called concentration or cohesion, has become able to surpass the stats.
Until now, if my Strength was level 3, the maximum power I could exert was also level 3, but now it means I can momentarily exert power beyond my stats.
That is the benefit given to me upon achieving Level 10 Strength.
That's why the strength was different when I shattered the bastard's shell and when I blocked its attack.
"Time!"
"1 minute and 20 seconds since infiltration!"
"Fuck..."
Tadadadang!!
Tadang!!
Tadang! Tadadang!!
The interval of gunshots coming from outside became shorter and more frequent.
The time those guys can hold out is probably less than a minute.
"Call the helicopter!"
"Are you going to give up?! You must know that if we fail like this, that monster might lead the zombies and raid the shelter!!"
"Shut up and just call the helicopter. I'm going to finish it before that."
Through the short engagement so far, I discovered its weakness.
The only things that can move at a speed similar to mine are those two front paws.
That large torso, as confirmed through the thermal imaging camera, is just as slow as a turtle.
Otherwise, it would have attacked Kim Hyunjun who was shooting guns first, or continued to launch attacks chasing me who had stepped out of its attack range.
"Isn't that right, you slowpoke Queen?"
"Kkieeeeeh!!!"
"Shut up and fork over your coins!!!"
"Why this way...!"
"Shut up and just start shooting when I give the signal!"
I am currently running in the direction where Kim Hyunjun is.
In order for Kim Hyunjun, me, and the Queen to face each other in a straight line.
A moment ago, the bastard clearly turned its head and blocked bullets with the side of its head.
However, bullets shot from the front were blocked using its front paws.
That means the facial area, which is its front, is a weak spot unable to block bullets.
Tadak! Tadadat-
Arriving in front of Kim Hyunjun, I changed direction and ran toward the screeching Queen, and as soon as I entered its attack range, the bastard brought its front paw down with all its might.
Paat!!!
"Phew..."
The Queen raised the other front paw to attack me again, who had narrowly dodged the falling front paw by twisting my body to the side.
"Now!!!"
Tadadadadang!!!!
Kim Hyunjun firing his gun as if pouring out all remaining bullets, and the Queen turning its head to the side to block the incoming bullets.
And along with the vanished field of vision, the front paw dropping down to the location of mine it had last confirmed.
Paak!!!!
Tadat-!
Narrowing the distance with the Queen to 1 meter along with the front paw dropping behind my back, I kicked off the ground and leaped into the air, concentrating power that transcended the limits of my stats, just like when I first shattered the bastard's shell.
Kkwaaaaaak!!!!
"Die."
Hwuuuung!!!!
The mace falling while cleaving through the wind struck down upon the top of the Queen's head.
Ppagaak!!!!