Political Statement (3)
Just then, one of the little freaks dropped from a tree, smashing a rock down toward Park Ha-yuri's head.
Sergeant Jeong watched the whole thing but didn't raise a warning or show any surprise. Ju Kang-rim, observing from nearby, stayed just as composed.
Thud.
The rock bounced off with a dull thunk, and Park Ha-yuri shattered the little freak with a casual swing of her prosthetic arm, her expression unchanging.
Every time she swung her hand or foot, the surrounding little freaks crumbled like dry twigs. As time passed, their numbers—which had seemed endless—began to thin. But it wasn't really that they'd decreased; they were just keeping their distance, realizing they had no chance against her.
"I figured I'd mess around with the trainees a bit and clock out, but a Gate? Talk about shitty luck."
"Then let's close this Gate quick and head home, Captain. A Gate this size is nothing for you, right?"
"Yeah, I've taken out a few abominations, but I still haven't found the Gate core..."
Now was the time.
Ju Kang-rim stepped out in front of Park Ha-yuri and the trainees.
"I know where it is."
Sergeant Jeong looked shocked as Ju Kang-rim descended the hill. But Park Ha-yuri barely reacted—she'd already sensed his gaze.
Standing before her, Ju Kang-rim felt a chill crawl up his spine.
Before his regression, Gerald was considered humanity's strongest. But in a pure one-on-one hand-to-hand fight, debates often raged over whether he'd beat Park Ha-yuri. Of course, in the midst of humanity's collapse, who gave a damn who was stronger? As far as Ju Kang-rim knew, they'd never actually clashed.
"Who're you?"
Park Ha-yuri asked with a plain smile.
Ju Kang-rim delivered his prepared line.
"Ju Kang-rim, from 'Yeomra.' Nice to meet you, Captain Park Ha-yuri."
Park Ha-yuri wasn't yet the top commander of the Bari Unit. It was still just a trial unit attached to the Capital Division—small-scale, underfunded. Her abilities were known to be exceptional in hand-to-hand combat, but expectations around her were low. She held only a captain's rank, but her strategic value was on par with a nuke.
"Yeomra?"
She repeated the unfamiliar name skeptically.
But Ju Kang-rim pressed on shamelessly.
"It was established after the Bukhansan Gate incident. No surprise you haven't heard."
When lying, attitude mattered more than rambling explanations. Plus, Ju Kang-rim had hundreds of conversations with her in his memories—her info was burned into his brain.
"Oh, yeah? Don't know where it's at, but you know where the Gate core is, right?"
Ju Kang-rim already knew she didn't sweat the small stuff. The priority was smashing the core and closing the Gate; his identity could wait.
But Sergeant Jeong, standing with her, didn't see it that way.
"Hold up. After Bukhansan? You mean the group formed because of the Gangbuk Incident? Wait, no way... are you...?"
"Sergeant Jeong, you know something?"
Ju Kang-rim tensed slightly. Detail-oriented types like this could spell trouble.
He tried to brush it off vaguely, but Sergeant Jeong kept going.
"Not the exact name, but I heard NIS was using its resources to form a Gate intel unit. Along with the Awakener Management Act. Didn't expect it to launch before the law, though. Makes sense, given all the prior attempts to predict Gates—maybe NIS...?"
"Damn, Sergeant Jeong, how's a sergeant like you in the loop on this?"
"Probably 'cause I handle most of the paperwork that goes to you, Captain."
"Huh."
Sergeant Jeong eyed Ju Kang-rim warmly. People who loved piecing things together solo made lying a breeze. Ju Kang-rim hadn't said much, but he'd instantly become an NIS secret agent in their minds.
Something about this felt familiar from before, but he just nodded without denying it.
"We can verify later anyway."
Park Ha-yuri smiled brightly. Even if he was a trap from someone—or some foreign power—it didn't matter. If it was a mistake, she had the muscle to fix it.
"So, where do we go?"
In other words, the Bukhansan Gate that wouldn't close meant it had a core strong enough not to self-destruct.
"This way."
Ju Kang-rim led Park Ha-yuri and the trainees to the core. The area was dangerous, but sticking near her was safer no matter what popped up. Sergeant Jeong's barrier was nearing its limit anyway.
Ju Kang-rim glanced at the trainees following behind.
Most Bari Unit members were NCOs. Awakened during service, they'd chosen the military path for safety, honor, and promotion over discharging to hunt zombies. Some stayed out of pure patriotism and duty—like Park Ha-yuri. She believed great power demanded service to the just cause.
Ju Kang-rim couldn't wrap his head around it.
"Got a thing for my face? Sorry, I'm taken... "
"Northwest, down the ridge!"
Ttakkachi cut off Park Ha-yuri's banter perfectly with a shout.
The trainees startled at the loud caw from the sky, looking up. To others, it was just a crow; Ju Kang-rim followed the direction.
Ttakkachi circled once then melted into his sleeve and vanished.
"That's your ability? Crow control?"
"One of my tricks."
Ju Kang-rim crouched low, eyeing the silhouette hopping along the ridge. A massive shadow bounded along. A huge tree-like shadow thudded forward.
Park Ha-yuri spoke first.
"Furry umbrella?"
About four meters tall, propped on a single leg, covered in thick fur hanging like branches. A glowing yellow single eye darted around through the fur.
"Real abomination, alright."
Of course, abominations weren't "real" or "fake"—they were all nasty bastards. But these ridge-walkers had proper monster builds, unlike the ragtag little freaks.
"Nah, more like a Christmas tree with eyes..."
Park Ha-yuri revised carefully.
"Fur or eyes don't matter."
"Gotta call it something."
"Eyeball Christmas furry umbrella, then...?"
Thud, thud.
No time for questions—the Dokgak-i thudded closer. Not spotted yet, but they had to move before more little freaks swarmed.
Ju Kang-rim explained quickly.
"That's a Dokgak-i."
"Goblin?"
"Dokgak-i. Pretends to be a tree, ambushes prey, flattens 'em, sucks fluids."
Park Ha-yuri eyed him, a bit thrown. Monster names didn't matter—how to kill them did. Formal names were rare anyway. But Ju Kang-rim talking like he knew this thing inside out? Surprising.
"When'd you name it?"
"We study Gates constantly, categorize everything. Origins, behaviors—all known."
Fresh info, but might as well use it.
"Anyway, that's the core? Sure?"
"Yes. Certain."
This came straight from her own report—Ju Kang-rim had dug it up investigating her for Gerald recruitment. Not every detail, but the outline stuck.
"First time facing one, so no clue on strength. Sergeant Jeong draws aggro; I'll smash fast."
"Got it."
Sergeant Jeong agreed and moved. Each Dokgak-i thud shook the little freak horde into a screeching frenzy, like a giant tree herding monkeys.
Sergeant Jeong pulled the trainees back to avoid stray hits. As long as they weren't reckless, they could handle little freaks.
"Oh, and it taunts prey with lewd words—watch out."
"Lewd what?"
The moment Park Ha-yuri asked incredulously, Sergeant Jeong whistled sharply, grabbing the Dokgak-i's attention.
It locked on and charged silently, thudding forward. One leg, but each leap was insanely fast.
Suddenly, it vaulted high, plummeting foot-first at Sergeant Jeong.
A translucent sphere bloomed around him. Boom.
The roar made Sergeant Jeong stagger to one knee. The Dokgak-i splayed roots wide over the barrier, trying to crush him.
It whispered huskily at him.
"Like tentacles?"
Sergeant Jeong yelled in shock.
"Captain!"
"Keep that virginity intact!"
Park Ha-yuri was already behind it, stance set. She snapped her metal prosthetic back with a whip crack. A clunk echoed from her right arm.
Left palm forward like aiming, she yanked her right shoulder back hard.
Ju Kang-rim saw the arm glow red-hot and clamped his ears shut.
The Dokgak-i sensed it, eye swiveling back.
"Don't like backdoor!"
Park Ha-yuri ignored the shout and swung.
BOOM.
Next instant, it exploded into sawdust, scattering everywhere. Only scattered roots and the top of its coat remained on the ground.
Gone in a blink—the shockwave and gust felt slow by comparison.
In a movie, it'd be a one-frame difference.
Park Ha-yuri retracted her fist, dusting it off. The blast had vaporized it clean—no fluids on her. But hot steam rose from her body in the ability's aftermath.
This is S-rank Awakener Park Ha-yuri's power: Bullet Fist...
Her loaded body fires beyond sonic speeds, pulverizing foes. Delivering 100% energy with zero recoil made it versatile for offense and defense—peerless in 1v1s.
Strong, sure, but not 40s Park Ha-yuri level. Powers grow with age, apparently.
He wanted to applaud, but no time. His real plan started now.
Alarm flashed in Park Ha-yuri's eyes.
Sergeant Jeong's urgent shout rang out.
Another Dokgak-i burst from the woods, lunging at the trainees.
At the same time, Ju Kang-rim moved.