Chapter 98
Chapter 98
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: The Devil-Slaying Ultrasonic Weapon
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The scenario screen came to an end.
In front of my eyes, white mist still filled everything.
Normally, you'd return to the original state right after the story intro ended, so why was this happening?
[A hidden scenario is activated by NPC Kim Seunghyun.]
[The hidden scenario exclusive to player 'Kim Cheonjae' will now play.]
My exclusive hidden scenario?
The screen brightened once more.
There was a young Kang Daewon. He looked even younger than the face I'd seen before.
He was shouting while holding blueprints in front of the still-unfinished control tower.
"Are you all not doing this properly!"
The workers grumbled at Kang Daewon's shout. It seemed this was still before the time when he was hailed as a hero.
It was only after the tower was completed that his feats began.
He flashed a bright smile while looking at the towering antenna on the blueprint.
It looked simple—what could be so special about it?
I flew closer to Kang Daewon and peered intently at the blueprint. Small text was written below the antenna.
[Ultrasonic Attacker for Subduing Great Demons]
I was so shocked that my mouth wouldn't close.
An ultrasonic attacker for subduing demons?
How did he know about the existence of demons? Their presence shouldn't have affected this place yet.
Two questions arose at once.
Somehow, Kang Daewon had learned of the demons' existence.
And what exactly was this 'Ultrasonic Attacker for Subduing Great Demons'?
As far as I knew, that antenna's role was to connect all of Mechania's electronic devices to Eidos.
But the blueprint Kang Daewon held described something entirely different.
-This ultrasonic attacker emits frequencies at a height harmless to humans, creating transcendent vibrations.
I stroked my chin.
'Impressive.'
Just as I was about to read further, he folded up the blueprint.
"Everyone, take a break! Rest for 10 minutes, then get back to it."
-Roaaar!
-Ugh, look at how sweaty my underwear is, class rep! Can't you at least buy us some cool ice cream?
Kang Daewon pulled out his completely empty wallet and said to them,
"I'll treat you to beef once the advance payment comes in, so hang in there until then!"
* * * * *
White mist covered my eyes once more. I'd gained some incredible information. Who knew the antenna at the top of the tower held such power.
I couldn't help but be amazed.
I wore a satisfied smile until the next scene appeared.
But that didn't last long.
When the mist cleared, I couldn't hide my bewilderment.
Inside a small room surrounded by concrete walls were two men.
Mechania's Governor Kim Suhyun.
And Kang Daewon from his hero days.
That was because Governor Kim Suhyun was crushing Kang Daewon's head under his foot.
"Kang Daewon! After I begged you like this, how could you..."
"Urgh... S-Su, Suhyun."
"Don't call me by name anymore. Just call me Governor from now on."
Kang Daewon glared at Kim Suhyun with a twisted face.
"The robot you mentioned has a lot of military flaws... If you give the AI system too much power, it'll betray you later for sure."
"Shut up. From now on, I'll give you orders. If you don't build combat robots by the end of this month, I'll kill your entire family."
"...Kim Suhyun!!"
"I heard your wife is really sick? I know that medicine is rare in this city—think it over carefully, friend."
Kim Suhyun kicked Kang Daewon in the stomach. Then he turned without hesitation and left the prison.
I swung my scythe at Kim Suhyun's head.
Swoosh—
'Die, you bastard!'
I'd already killed him, but rage boiled up to the top of my head. Kim Suhyun vanished from the prison. Kang Daewon buried his face in the cold concrete floor and sobbed.
"I... I... I was just doing it for Mechania..."
As Kang Daewon's tears fell to the floor, white mist filled the screen.
[The story screen has ended.]
When I opened my eyes, everyone was standing in front of me with worried faces.
Ma Jeongwoo grabbed my shoulder.
"Ch-Cheonjae. You okay?"
I shook off his hand.
"Why are you doing that?"
"You okay, you bastard?"
"What's there to be okay about? Didn't everyone just watch the scenario screen?"
Yoo Sora's face was pale.
Looking at her hand, soul fish were fluttering around.
"Cheonjae-ssi, should I heal you?"
I answered her with a baffled expression.
"What happened?"
"Cheonjae-ssi... You wouldn't wake up, so everyone was worried."
Ma Jeongwoo continued.
"Yeah, you bastard. You were groaning in a coma, and we were all worried."
"..."
Was that it?
I'd fallen asleep because I was the only one watching the hidden scenario.
My mind flashed. Not with literal light, but with a sudden realization.
'During the scenario... That means...?'
I stood up and dusted off my butt. Seeing me act like nothing happened, everyone sighed in relief.
"Don't worry about me."
"Gah! Gah! Die! You were shouting that—how could we not worry?"
"Me?"
"Yeah, you."
Michael tilted his head.
* * * * *
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Through the window, I could see the group of giants waiting outside.
Beholders, Twin Beholders, Triple Beholders.
And at their center stood their leader, the Titan, holding a massive iron mace with a meaningful expression.
Their presence was overwhelming.
They looked ready to charge at any moment.
The Titan stepped to the forefront of the formation and bellowed toward the tower.
"Humans! Surrender now and hand over your leader!"
I spoke to it through the speaker.
"Jiral. If you don't get lost right now, you all die!"
My voice trembled.
There were just too many enemies to speak confidently.
Our chances of winning a frontal clash were extremely low. But if we used the hidden weapon Kang Daewon left behind...
I called for Kang Daewon.
"Daewon-ssi, there's an antenna installed on the roof of this tower, right?"
"...Yes."
"Can you activate it now?"
"Isn't Eidos already operational?"
"No, not Eidos. That... the Great Demon..."
Before I could finish, his eyes widened in shock.
"H-How do you know about that?"
"I'm the 'Opener,' after all."
I winked.
He swallowed hard.
"...Cheonjae-ssi, I'm sorry, but I don't think we can use that weapon."
"Why not?"
"I'm sorry, but because I installed robot bodies for Eidos, I couldn't complete that antenna..."
Couldn't complete it meant he'd at least started the work, right?
That was a relief.
A thread of hope appeared.
I pressed him further.
"Not completing it means you made some progress, right?"
"Yes, about half."
"Half... How long to finish the remaining work?"
He grimaced, deep in thought.
"...If we start now from the current state... With the blueprints, half a day. Without them, about two days."
"You have the blueprints?"
Kang Daewon shook his head side to side.
"No. They all burned up when the factory was attacked."
"..."
I spread out a sheet of paper on the desk and picked up a ballpoint pen. Then I began drawing the blueprint I'd seen in the scenario screen.
I couldn't write the explanations for parts I hadn't read, but I could recreate the design schematics perfectly.
As I started sketching the blueprint, Kang Daewon clapped his hands.
The surrounding mechanics let out awed "Whoa!"s.
I'd recreated the lost blueprint in an instant.
"This right?"
Kang Daewon took the blueprint, his hands shaking.
"Huh..."
The mechanics gathered around him to examine it.
-This is enough to finish today.
-Hey! Anyone know C programming?
-Me! I can do it!
I said to Kang Daewon,
"Daewon-ssi, sorry to say this now, but with so many enemies, we can't win with just the robot bodies."
"...So that's why you mentioned this weapon."
"Yes. No need to explain the rest, right?"
"Cheonjae-ssi, give me one hour, and I'll get it done."
"One hour. Can you make it?"
He nodded.
"Trust me."
* * * * *
The battle began.
[Main Event]
[Hellfire difficulty 'Mechania Defense Event' has started.]
[The subordinates of the 'Demon That Swallowed Angels' Titan begin attacking the tower.]
[Protect the residents and bring peace to Mechania!]
We all moved to the 10th-floor situation room. It was the best spot to monitor the enemies.
"Eidos, don't deploy the robot bodies. Use the existing defenses to buy time."
['Eidos' relays Kim Cheonjae's orders.]
[Robot bodies on standby. Activating all defensive weapons installed in Mechania.]
The missile turrets' hatches opened, loading their cannons. Even in auto mode, soldiers climbed into the cockpits.
It was to handle any potential system errors.
Next, we boosted the electric barrier's power. Sparks visibly flew off it.
The flamethrowers near the tower sprayed fire onto the ground. We had to preheat them to keep the enemies from getting close.
The giants drew nearer.
The ground rumbled as they began moving. Everyone held their breath, watching them.
The Beholders positioned themselves in a circle around the tower. They planned a simultaneous attack—what method would they use?
Swoosh-. Swoosh-. Swoosh-.
A regular Beholder spun a club over its head as it approached the tower.
Click.
Pewooong—
A defense turret fired a missile at its head.
Boom!
The Beholder clutched its engulfed face and toppled backward.
Thud.
-...Kieeeek!
The Titan slammed its iron mace into the ground.
Boom!
"Topple the tower!"
-Roaaarrr!
The giants' advance began. Eidos quickly scanned around the tower and ramped all defenses to max output.
Missiles rained down like a storm. The giants shielded their faces with clubs and pressed on.
Giants that stepped on the burning ground fell one by one. Those behind trampled the fallen and didn't stop.
The Titan grabbed a burning, collapsed giant and hurled it at the tower.
Swoosh—
Boom!
One missile turret's barrel twisted.
I shouted,
"Push the giant away!"
Soldiers rushed out and started shoving the fallen giant outward. It took about twenty of them to finally drop it from the base of the tower.
-Rooaaar!
The approaching Beholders grew closer.
We had four flamethrowers here. Too few to cover giants charging from all sides.
"Damn it, Ma Jeongwoo! Can you take everyone and buy us some time?"
Ma Jeongwoo replied with blazing eyes.
"Leave it to me."