The Plague Spreads Worldwide
Lee Doosik added 55 more skeletons.
The End of the End Plague.
The plague that had begun spreading worldwide seven days ago had already reached every corner of the planet.
Even Japan and China, the countries closest to Korea, were no longer safe.
The wave had already crashed onto American shores across the Pacific Ocean.
This was no joke compared to the seven million dead from the old COVID-19 pandemic.
Its transmissibility was far greater, and its ability to turn even full-time hunters into combat invalids was truly monstrous.
The world had fallen into chaos, and every eye in the country was fixed on South Korea.
“The Apocalypse Plague is spreading uncontrollably. It has now reached American shores...”
“...La Peste de l’Apocalypse se propage à une vitesse terrifiante. Elle est désormais...”
In Korea itself, internet commentators were frantically searching for someone to blame.
As always, the many turned on the few.
The privileged few.
That is, the hunters.
“It all happened because of the awakened who refused to clear the gates and just wanted to exploit them.”
“After twenty years of opening gates and sucking honey, this is the price.”
“Clear the gate? Who even feeds the hunter industry now?”
“The very existence of the hunter industry is abnormal! Is this supposed to be a normal society?”
“So what? The hunter industry makes up over twenty percent of GDP. This country is already too small, population too thin, and the hunter headcount too few.”
“The world has changed, yet some still ask why we don’t just wipe out the gates. Tsk Tsk.”
“It’s all because we’re jealous that the awakened get to eat well and live comfortably.”
“Anyone commenting here isn’t an awakened either, right? After being stuck inside for a week, these hikikomori losers should still be immune, right? No room for argument?”
“Aigoo, what losers.”
But what those powerless voices could do was say nothing more.* * *
It was impossible that Lee Doosik was the only awakened person immune to the plague in South Korea.
The leaders of the three major guilds, and the chairman of the Wooju Association, the immovable Hwang Tae-san.
During the full-member meeting at Seoraksan Gate, a hidden quest triggered and guild members collapsed one after another, writhing in agony.
“Haa... these people these days are really weak. Tsk.”
Hwang Tae-san, who had planned to privatize Seoraksan Gate just like Babylon’s Nam-san Gate and build a magnificent headquarters, could only sigh bitterly.
“Chairman. Allow me to serve.”
“Oh? It seems you’re not half bad. What’s your name?”
“S-class, awakened as the Phoenix class. My name is Sin Kang-su.”
“So you’re that fresh S-class rookie. Phoenix, you say? Means you don’t die? Or is it the roaring lion?”
“Both.”
“Kkuk... I like a good brawl. Let’s go. If we kill Kalid cleanly, this will be over in a snap.”
“For the glory!”
And in Seoul.
The white-eyed hunter, An Sung-jin of the Awakening Management Association.
An Sung-jin’s class was only the supporting spirit mage, but the white eyes were nothing more than a title.
“Hyung. Please snap out of it. Sera, keep purifying.”
“Ooo, Glory. Even with purification, the effect lasts only five seconds. I’m still catching the plague again.”
“Cough. Sung-jin, you... you go too. If this at Oryukdo Gate...”
The infected Baek Jong-du kept losing and regaining consciousness. An Sung-jin stuck the top-tier healing spirit, Sera, on him for continuous purification, but it was useless.
“I... I’m old...”
“Sera. Is there no way?”
“Ooo Glory, it’s beyond my ability. This is the power of a great constellation. No, maybe even more. Perhaps the plague lord Morvasa from the myth has revived.”
“I don’t know what you’re saying, but... I have to go. Elier, let’s go to Oryukdo Gate.”
“My breath is yours.”
The top-tier wind spirit Elier lifted An Sung-jin into the air.
“Hyung, I’ll be back soon.”
“You’re the one I can trust... cough.”
The disaster that swept over Oryukdo Gate woke up the first-generation hunters who had retired from the front lines. An Sung-jin leaped out the window and flew south on the power of the wind spirit Elier.
“Elier, faster!”
“My breath is yours.”
Even the first generation couldn’t keep up, so how about the active hunters?
Among them was the Poison King, Park Sang-yoon.
“The plague is a poison, right? What kind of taste is that? Are the germs poisonous too?”
The Chancler of Natchal, Yoon In-pyo.
“It is truly sad for all sentient beings. To perish from a mere plague. Buddha is in the heart...”
The new S-class Mir Guild mage, the Fire Purifier Maria.
“What do I do? What do I do... hee... I’m scared... Burn them all with the flames of purification!”
And countless other awakened with plague immunity were racing toward Oryukdo Gate. Their single goal.
The end of the End-level hidden quest.
Oryukdo Gate had become the gathering place of the past, present, and future of the South Korean hunter world.
And
Zzzzip.
“Hey, Tangtangball. I’ll be back.”
Kim Taesu was cycling through his ultimate Electric Phase every three minutes. Since it was an invincible skill, it also had all status ailment removal options attached.
Ten seconds of perfect health every three minutes for Kim Taesu.
But after those ten seconds the plague would flare up again.
His partner agent Cho Chiyong followed right behind him.
“Watashi ikuyo.”
“Otakku, are you alright?”
“Watashi korok, pito ibaidese.”
“Crazy bastard. You’re holding out against the plague.”
“Shikoshinayo!”
Hethchui!
♬
[Skeleton Loudmouth]
“Doosik, where are you?”
“Oryukdo Gate.”
“You’re alive. Etchui!”
“As expected, hyung got it too... Hyung! Just hold on a little longer. I’ll save you.”
[Call Ended]
“Hello?! What the heck is this guy? Cough. Electric Phase.”
* * *
[Kalid’s Viscera]
“Hello? Tess-hyung! Ah... antenna’s not coming up.”
[Call Ended]
Thank goodness Tess-hyung was safe.
No, he probably caught the plague.
“Everyone, just wait a little longer...”
Kalid’s viscera was full of phlegm. Sticky stuff, but in this situation he couldn’t let it slide.
But
Lick lick.
Hodu was licking it up.
“Hodu. That’s gross.”
But he didn’t listen.
He licked it up greedily.
Like jelly.
Lick lick!
I decided to just leave it alone.
I stood right at the boundary between the viscera and the esophagus.
“From here. Make a skeleton ladder.”
Every skeleton was just a little over 170 cm tall. The difference from my height and a single finger. With 83 skeletons right now, connecting their ankles would easily reach 120 meters.
Then through prayer they would enter the lungs and come back. When saving the world I would still have to keep myself alive.
Under Hansik’s instructions the skeleton ladder began to form. Geunsik held two picks in both hands and hooked them over the prayer entrance. One skeleton after another climbed down, grabbing the ankle of the one above and stretching out long.
Finally Hansik descended, and I followed right behind him.
But it wasn’t easy. The problem was the thick phlegm filling the lungs, throat, and stomach. Feet slipping, one wrong step and you’d fall.
If you fell, considering the cushioning feel of the lungs, you might not die, but I couldn’t guarantee it.
Right now I was in a dying state.
I grabbed the pelvic bones of the skeletons and stepped on the shoulders of the ones below, slowly descending.
Carefully.
It was much longer than I thought.
Kalid’s neck had been that long, after all.
Sliiiide.
“Uaaaah!”
I said to be careful, but I still slipped.
Clack.
I grabbed whatever was in my hand. It was Hansik’s royal guard captain’s cloak.
“Huu... I’m alive.”
Wait.
Fear crept in.
I couldn’t say that out loud.
As expected.
Suddenly the sensation of falling hit harder and...
Whoosh.
Starting from the middle, the skeleton ladder started collapsing.
“Eh?!”
In mid-air I flailed my hands, but the only things I could grab were the falling skeletons.
With a dizzying drop I squeezed my eyes shut.
Thud.
Splash splash splash.
I had slipped because of the phlegm, but thanks to that I survived.
Is this a blessing in disguise?
My waist hurt a little from the shock, but I was able to stand up without issue.
Now I noticed Hansik’s HP was being reduced.
▶ [Sacrifice] When the emperor receives an attack from an enemy, the wearer takes the damage instead.
“Thanks to you I’m alive.”
“My life belongs to my lord.”
A reliable guy. But
“This is bad.”
The ladder had broken.
No way back.
“Haa...”
Helpless feeling.
I don’t know if Hodu sensed my worry. He was still licking phlegm in the lungs without pause.
“Hansik. Find a way out.”
First things first....
Finish the quest first.
If I keep delaying I’ll really die.
I headed toward Changsik.
He was still groaning and trying to pull out the Great Sword of the Ancient Plague.
But the sword didn’t even twitch.
“Changsik. You worked hard.”
Clack.
Changsik stopped what he was doing and took a submissive pose.
[(Quest) Great Sword of the Ancient Plague]
The hilt was full of ominous energy. Strange runes covered it like an ancient magic circle.
Only those with the qualification can use it.
“I... I have the qualification?”
I grabbed the handle of the Great Sword of the Ancient Plague.
A cold, sticky aura spread from the tips of my fingers throughout my body.
“The one who awakened me... My name is Morvasa, the lord of the plague and the one who hastens the end of all life.”
Startle.
I looked around, but no one was talking to me.
This sword was speaking to me.
The mastermind behind all these events.
“I don’t have time to chat with you. Pull it out obediently.”
Kkkk.
Huh?
W-wait, this can’t be...
I pulled with all my strength.
It wouldn’t come out.
“Ugh... damn...”
I wiped the slippery liquid from my hand as best I could and tried again.
“Cough... ccccc...”
But the sword wouldn’t move.
“This is insane...”
“I am the lord of the plague Morvasa. Do you have the qualification to be with me?”
“Haa... damn... you always do this...”
I had to prove my qualification?
After all, it was odd for a level-end quest to end so easily.
But right now, in this moment of crisis, anger welled up at this nonsense from Morvasa. How many people were writhing in the pain of the plague across South Korea right now?
“Stop playing around and pull it out! Hurry up and finish this damn plague quest! You came, right?! I’m doing it myself! Here!”
“Those without qualification will not receive the power of the plague lord Morvasa... Who are you?”
[[Skeleton Star] is watching with interest. ]
What the heck is this all of a sudden?
Interesting? Is this fun?
Watching? I feel like I’m chewing popcorn for no reason.
“I am Lee Doosik. The Skeleton Lord.”
“Oho... You have the aura of a lord? Prove it...”
The moment the meaningful words ended, my eyes opened to the dark interior of Kalid’s lungs, where I had been perceiving objects through the eye of the Oculus.
Booom.
My vision brightened.
“Wh-what?!”
Puuuuuuuuuu
A sudden trumpet sound.
And the appearance of...
“Whoa... w-what is this?!”
“Prove your qualification...”
+
[(Sub Quest) Prove Your Qualification]
Subdue Morvasa’s plague army.
Time limit: 1 hour.
Reward: 150,000 EXP
+
“This crazy... damn...”
Far away, a black wave rose up.
“A horde of rats?”
Upon closer look, they were soldiers with the faces of rats.
And above them were bats...
Disgusting.
“Dirty rat bastards... Fine, let’s try once. Summon.”
Everything was riding on me.
No place to retreat.
After this quest failed, the world would mean nothing.
“Summon.”
I had already resigned myself to death.
?
“Summon!”
What?
Why isn’t it summoning?
“Summon! This is crazy!”
Are you saying I have to suppress that rat horde alone?
How am I supposed to do that alone?!
I’m doomed!
Just as I was about to sink into despair...
Lick...
“Eh? Hodu?”
And behind me...
Cluck.
Familiar sound.
89 skeletons in submissive pose.
“Hansik!”
Leading the way, Hansik.
Behind him, the sturdy Changsik.
Geunsik, Minsik, Cheolsik.
Hodu began growling at the rat bastards rushing toward me.
That was it.
From the very beginning, they had been behind me.
Of course, you were always with me.
“Command!”
Reliable guys.
I opened the dragon lair and dumped all the equipment inside.
Whoosh...
High ~ Unique grade.
I declared as if I had been waiting for this moment.
“Everyone, adopt the optimal combat formation.”
The skeleton soldiers equipped their gear in order under Hansik’s command. Of course the best gear was for the named ones. They wore items of at least rare grade.
Hansik carried two crossbows in both hands.
Changsik wielded the Lightning Sword and medium armor.
Geunsik held a massive war hammer.
Minsik gripped dual daggers with both hands upside down, and
Cheolsik carried a mace and shield.
“Krrroooar...”
Hodu was ready to leap out at any moment.
I sat on the Throne of the Immortal King and put on the Star Helmet.
[Guardian of the Night Sky] set effect activated.
“Bacterial lumps, dirty rat bastards... Tear them all apart.”
“As my lord desires.”
The skeletons charged toward the rat hordes.
Soon after, the clash began.
The number of rats overwhelmed, but the rats tore apart.
I didn’t know that.
“Right now Changsik is at 313 stacks, you rat bastards.”
[Skeleton soldier died... transferring to nearby skeleton soldier]
[Skeleton soldier died... transferring to nearby skeleton soldier]
[Skeleton soldier died... transferring to nearby skeleton soldier]
.......
[Skill level has risen.]
“Summon!”
Skeleton soldier.
55 more added.
“Wipe them all out!”