Chapter 182
Chapter 182
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 182
Chapter Title: 41. Everyone's First Sword (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Dad, what are you doing? I told you to grit your teeth and run!"
The urgent directive delivered last night through the 'Wave.'
No one knew the exact situation, but everyone was aware that a bizarre operation had been carried out under Jeong Youngwoo's lead—one that drove the Japanese and Chinese into a corner before pulling them back out.
Everyone who held the title of First Sword in the Seoul region, that is.
As a result, they all harbored a vague mix of fear and curiosity toward dungeon spaces.
Something dangerous had clearly happened last night, but hadn't Youngwoo and his father both returned safely?
And above all else.
'Jeong Youngwoo absolutely can't die.'
This fact had burrowed deep into everyone's minds.
So, when forming the recommended 'pairs of two, one team' advised by the Board of Directors who had first announced the Reset, who would ensure the greatest safety?
It was undoubtedly Jeong Youngwoo07, the current Korea’s First Sword and Gangnam First Sword.
"What are your plans for today?"
Songpa First Sword Oh Yeonhui spoke on behalf of the First Swords who had gathered first, addressing Youngwoo.
In the meantime, the elevator had descended back to the first floor.
The other First Swords, arriving a step late, had called it from the lobby.
"Ah... I was thinking we should move up the meeting time to at least discuss things, but it looks like everyone's heading here anyway."
As Youngwoo spoke while eyeing Seongbuk First Sword, who had appeared via the stairs in the interim, Oh Yeonhui stated bluntly.
"Judging by the situation, we all seem to be thinking the same thing, but I'll speak first."
She gripped her crescent blade in her right hand and continued.
"Please let me join your team, Youngwoo."
At once, Yongsan, Dongjak, and Seongbuk shot to their feet.
"No, what are you saying?"
"Hey... Since Songpa borders Gangnam anyway, you know Youngwoo would take care of it without us saying anything, right?"
"We should prioritize regions farther from Gangnam first. Don't you know they'll suffer the most?"
The only one keeping silent in the room was Seocho First Sword Choi Namhui.
"......"
But even he wasn't staying quiet just to maintain dignity.
'No matter how much of a freak Jeong Youngwoo is, he's still human, so his arm will bend inward. He can't help everyone.'
Thus, his clever plan was.
'The silver lining is that Gangnam and Seocho are geographically adjacent. So......'
He'd greet today's mutants first, and if it got dicey, flee straight to neighboring Gangnam.
In other words, force Youngwoo's intervention.
'There'll be some civilian casualties in the process... but that's still far better than losing to a mutant.'
One could see what happened to regions where a First Sword fell to a mutant—just look at Gwangjin District, reduced to complete ruins.
Ding!
Finally, the elevator chimed again, and this time Dongdaemun First Sword Jang Jeongho and Gangdong First Sword Kim Juwoo appeared.
Then.
"Ha, fuck."
Seeing the First Swords already packed in like sardines, they let out hollow laughs.
Jang Jeongho especially had a history of challenging Youngwoo to a contest of strength at their first meeting.
For someone like him, coming here felt like swallowing his pride...
'Fuck, they're all the same bastards.'
As Jang Jeongho entered the hallway with a bug-chewing grimace, the earlier arrivals smirked and tossed barbs.
"Your greeting's a bit much."
"The latecomers should stand by the emergency exit, huh?"
And hilariously, Mapo First Sword and Gwanak First Sword Jo Sangik soon appeared via the stairs.
"Whoa."
Jo Sangik summed up the situation the moment he stepped into the hallway.
He was even in a suit.
He'd always been one to mind his attire, though.
"No issues on your end? There seemed to be a bit of a commotion last night."
As Jo Sangik asked over the dozens of heads, Youngwoo casually raised a hand.
"Yes, but we resolved it well. Thanks for your concern."
Then he slowly scanned the First Swords now filling the hallway.
"Pairs of two, one team. Pair up with nearby regions as needed—do you lack confidence?"
Some First Swords flinched at Youngwoo's blunt words, but arriving here already meant they'd set aside a lot.
"We all know it'll be a tough day. The problem isn't just the difficulty—failure means death."
Dongjak First Sword Lee Hanwook spoke without a shred of pride in his tone.
"You all heard about the wyvern in Gwangjin yesterday, right? So what about today?"
At Hanwook's words, everyone thought of one term.
'Dragon.'
The archetypal monster that came to mind with 'mutant,' yet an unknown entity that hadn't appeared even once.
But with the Board directly warning of a 'high-risk' mutant, today was likely the day.
"Mutants turned into dragons will probably show up today. I don't know how many, but even one dropping in any region would raze it to the ground."
Hanwook focused on 'regional devastation' rather than First Sword deaths.
To say they weren't here just as cowards seeking Jeong Youngwoo.
Of course, primarily, it was because their own lives mattered, pride be damned.
'Dongjak's surprisingly eloquent.'
Youngwoo eyed Hanwook with genuine interest.
"As you said, dragons are highly likely today. Even in pairs, any region facing one would be precarious."
And would a dragon really just kill the local First Sword?
No one knew exactly what abilities dragons held in this reset world, but there was at least one reference.
Day 4's wyvern in Gwangjin.
From what Youngwoo had seen, they flew and breathed fire.
In other words.
"Even if you kill it, it'll be a problem. The battle would melt people and buildings alike."
Perhaps dragons were a death sentence button in this world.
"That's why we've come to you, Youngwoo. We can't avoid some damage, but with your help, we can avert the worst."
This was the purpose of Dongjak First Sword and everyone present.
"......"
Youngwoo pondered briefly.
Gangnam, his home turf, would be priority one, but he'd help others if feasible.
The issue was.
"As you know, I've only got one body. Even if I dispatch mutants quickly, I can't cover all of Seoul."
Then Seongbuk First Sword Lee Yubin made a shocking proposal.
"How about drawing lots?"
"......?"
"What?"
"Draw lots?"
Everyone looked flustered, but Yubin was serious.
"You're supposed to defend your own region anyway. But today's mutants are exceptionally strong, so we need your help."
"...And?"
"So, leave survival bonuses to luck. Draw lots to decide the order you assist us in."
It was absurd, but better than no plan.
The problem was.
"...Hmm."
The one to help, Jeong Youngwoo07, wasn't on board.
"Draws might ease your minds, but efficiency would tank. Routes would tangle randomly, right?"
"Oh......"
"Y-Yeah, true."
Their hard-sought alternative was shot down instantly, yet the First Swords' faces brightened.
Youngwoo's line just now implied, 'I'll help anyway.'
"So, Youngwoo, what's your take on the right approach?"
Gwanak First Sword Jo Sangik posed a loaded question.
Youngwoo thought for a moment.
'Unless high-risk mutants drop only in Gangnam, neither lots nor me supporting nearby first stops all damage.'
So what to do?
He'd overcome many obstacles before, but none as nebulous as this.
'Realistically, I could just do my job and let them die or not...'
In his frustration, Youngwoo suddenly hit on a solution of sorts.
"But why should I come help you?"
"...Pardon?"
"W-What, suddenly now...?"
As the Korea’s First Sword dropped the bombshell, everyone wore nightmare-stricken expressions, then Youngwoo rephrased.
"Ah, that came out wrong. Instead of me going to you, you can come to me, right?"
"......?"
The First Swords still looked baffled.
Then Songpa's Oh Yeonhui eyed Youngwoo with a 'no way' glint.
"Those needing help bring Youngwoo themselves? With the mutant in tow."
"Yes, exactly. You can't beat a dragon, but you can all bait and lure it, yeah?"
"T-That..."
"Uh......"
The First Swords exchanged uneasy glances, at a loss for words.
It wasn't a totally insane plan, but nor could they easily accept it—it was a scheme as bizarre as Jeong Youngwoo himself.
"No... Crossing the city dragging a dragon would cause massive civilian casualties, wouldn't it?"
One First Sword raised a realistic objection.
However.
"You've got time to prepare now, so evacuate residents ahead. No matter the damage, it's not worse than leaving a mutant in the city center."
It was a plan Youngwoo had mulled over himself.
"......"
And damn if it didn't make sense—no one could refute it.
Then Dongdaemun First Sword Jang Jeongho questioned Youngwoo's capabilities.
"If we drag mutants here, it'll be at least ten... You plan to handle that many?"
"Ten of you coming? Doesn't matter anyway. I get stronger the more enemies."
With Youngwoo going that far, no one could whine anymore.
If you lacked confidence to block a mutant even paired with a neighboring First Sword, drag it yourself and beg Jeong Youngwoo for salvation.
"No objections? Then see you around one o'clock. I'll clear Gangnam and head to Gwangjin—bring your dragons or whatever there."
Coincidentally, Gwangjin was proving useful for the second day running.
At the 1st-grade human Youngwoo's confident proposal, the First Swords buzzed.
"Th-Then... if the plan works, what about mutant rewards?"
"Ah, I didn't mention."
It was a key point, so Youngwoo answered readily.
"All districts are mine. And for regions where mutants are handled that day, I'll drop a golden rain."
"......!"
Most here knew what Youngwoo's 'golden rain' meant.
30,000 karma distributed to every resident in the region.
But Youngwoo's aim wasn't mere mass karma handouts.
"Golden rain means massive karma piles in each region, right? I won't ask for much—just collect ten million karma per helped district."
"You're saying you'll charge us... p-protection money?"
Demanding protection money from Seoul's First Swords. Unprecedented.
But Youngwoo didn't flinch at the dozens of furious glares—instead, he rested a hand on the bastard sword at his waist and bared his teeth.
"Ah... Not protection money. It's the price of your lives. Got it?"