Chapter 171
Chapter 171
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 171
Chapter Title: The Volunteer
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Wavy, Kay's younger brother and the second-in-command of the Arang Club, tossed a silver card to Lee Si-woo.
"This is an identification card for use within the walled city. It's difficult to get a replacement if you lose it, so take good care of it."
After receiving the ID card from Wavy, Lee Si-woo asked.
"What about my request to borrow an Eagle Suit?"
Wavy looked at Lee Si-woo with an uncomfortable gaze, like a squad leader looking at a problem soldier, and said.
"It was approved. My brother doesn't use that suit often anyway, so he made a special exception to lend it to you. Of course, all these benefits are contingent on me seeing you heal one of our club members with my own two eyes."
Lee Si-woo, seeing no reason to drag things out, said bluntly.
"Have you brought the person I'm supposed to heal?"
"Mm, I have."
The person Wavy brought was a white-haired man in a black uniform.
White eyes and white lips.
Lee Si-woo, knowing what this appearance—as if all pigment had been drained from his body—meant, muttered.
"Infection?"
Wavy nodded and replied.
"So you know. That's right. He's infected with the White Calamity."
"Was he attacked by a White Monster?"
"No, he was never attacked. He's only been inside the city."
"Airborne... infection?"
"Yes."
Even faced with the words "airborne infection," Wavy was calm.
Guessing from his composed demeanor that there was some way to overcome this situation, Lee Si-woo asked in a sharp voice.
"Is there a way to prevent or overcome the White Calamity infection?"
"Yes, a wanderer released a vaccine in the city. Thanks to that, we and the NPCs were able to survive."
Si-woo.
Right, if it was Si-woo, it made sense.
Si-woo, having been experimented on in a lab, was likely to have data regarding a vaccine.
But the strange thing was why an infected person had appeared despite the vaccine's existence.
"If there's a vaccine, why bring this person to me... Wait."
An ominous premonition flashed through Lee Si-woo's mind as he continued.
"Don't tell me the vaccine didn't work on this club member?"
"You're sharp. Yes, strangely, no matter how much vaccine we administered, it only delayed the full infection. We couldn't completely cure him. That's why we're pinning our hopes on you. Saving our club member is important, but if you really have the ability to cure this damn virus... Eagle Suit or whatever, we're willing to give you anything you ask for."
This was the thinking of a club leader, after all.
No wonder Kay had accepted his offer so easily. With circumstances like these, it all made sense.
If Lee Si-woo could cure the virus, the conditions he had proposed to Kay were practically a giveaway.
'Looks like I might need to renegotiate the terms... Well, first, I should see if my heal works on this club member.'
Lee Si-woo extended his hand and used the special ability he had obtained: Heal.
A blue light flowed from the center of Lee Si-woo's palm and enveloped the club member.
Then, the labored breathing of the virus-stricken club member slowly subsided, becoming as gentle as a baby's soft breaths.
Seeing the white hair turn blond, the white eyes become blue, and the pale lips regain their natural color, Wavy burst into a joyous laugh.
As if a great weight had been lifted, the now-relaxed Wavy clapped Lee Si-woo on the shoulder with a friendly hand, as if he'd never been hostile.
"From now on, just tell me if there's anything you want. I'll do my best to support you with everything I've got."
It was only today that Wavy had learned a mutant strain of the virus, resistant to the vaccine, had begun to spread.
In fact, it was why Wavy and Kay were bitterly regretting their return to Chapter 4.
They had returned to defend Chapter 4, their club's target zone, but that was only because the appearance of the wanderer, Si-woo, had given them hope. Had they known about the mutant virus beforehand, they would not have returned, even if it meant abandoning their entire foundation.
But return they did, and as soon as the mutant virus appeared, the city mayor sealed the walled city, forbidding all users and citizens from leaving.
'Just when I thought we were headed for ruin... this guy showed up at the perfect time.'
With Lee Si-woo's arrival ensuring that at least he and his brother could save their own skins, Wavy spoke in a cheerful, upbeat voice.
"From now on, don't go anywhere dangerous. Stay under the club's protection. And that ability... you said it was once a day?"
"Yes. I can only use it once a day."
"Never use it carelessly, and especially don't mention it to the NPCs. If they find out about your ability, you could be in for a world of trouble. Got it?"
Realizing that Wavy was trying to monopolize his healing ability, Lee Si-woo put on an innocent, almost simple-minded expression and said.
"Don't worry. I won't tell anyone about my ability except for the Club Master, the Vice Master, and my companions. Absolutely no one."
* * *
"What? You have the ability to cure the mutant virus?!"
Si-woo exclaimed, so agitated he looked like he might grab him by the collar. Lee Si-woo pushed Si-woo's overbearing face, now right in front of his own, away with his palm.
"Yes, but I can only use it once a day. And I've already used it for today."
"Wow... this is truly great news! I thought only *they* were immune to the mutant virus."
Following Si-woo's gaze, Lee Si-woo saw men in white uniforms standing leisurely, their backs against a wall.
Unlike the others who looked anxious and depressed, they seemed not just peaceful but confident. Confirming this, Lee Si-woo spoke.
"Knights... They don't get infected by the mutant virus?"
"That's right. It's not confirmed yet, but they didn't get infected even after fighting fiercely with the White Giant. And that's without me giving them the vaccine. So you have to assume they're immune to both the original and the mutant strains of the virus."
Lee Si-woo glanced sideways at Si-woo and asked in a subtle tone.
"Why do you think the vaccine, which worked so well at first, stopped being effective?"
"...Strictly speaking, this virus is less a mutation and more an improved version. The vaccine formula I obtained is from seven years ago... The virus must have undergone something close to evolution since then."
"So the virus was improved, and now the vaccine is useless."
"Yes."
"Then do you know why the Knights aren't getting infected?"
"Of course I do. They're immune to the virus because they possess mana, the blessing of the Faceless."
At Si-woo's mention of mana, Lee Si-woo's face hardened like stone.
"Was it the Faceless who created and spread mana?"
"Huh? You didn't know? Oh, right, you're an intruder, so you might not. Yes. The creation of mana is the greatest achievement of the great god-person, the Faceless. And... as far as I know, the fundamental reason that demon keeps improving the virus is to infect the Knights of the Faceless who wield this mana."
'Right, if this place is set in the Main Dimension of the past, there's no way mana wouldn't exist. I was wondering why it hadn't appeared... It's because mana civilization isn't as developed as it is in the future Main Dimension. In terms of mana civilization, this is like the primitive era, so only a select few can wield mana. And those are the Knights of the Faceless.'
*Tiring.*
A system message appeared before Lee Si-woo's eyes.
[Secret Chapter 4 is now open.]
[Objective]: Defeat Gigant.
[A hidden quest is now open.]
[Objective]: Learn Mana.
'Wait, what is this? I... can learn mana?'
And Gigant?
Are they talking about the White Giant camped outside the city walls?
As Lee Si-woo stood speechless at the sudden chapter objective and quest that had appeared, Si-woo nudged him in the ribs with his elbow.
"Here they come. The mayor and the Knight Commander. The ones who maintain and protect this city."
A well-groomed middle-aged man and a woman who walked with discipline and spirit stood in the center of the city square.
In the vast square, large enough to hold thousands, stood Si-woo and Lee Si-woo.
Aside from them and key figures from various clubs like Kay and Wavy, the square was empty of crowds.
This was thanks to the mayor's proper control, which ensured that quarantine measures were strictly maintained.
The middle-aged man, who appeared to be the mayor, spoke into a microphone.
"Given the current situation, I will dispense with the tedious procedures and flowery language and get straight to the important matters. As you all know, thanks to the young man Si-woo, we were able to be free from the virus. However..."
The mayor paused for a moment, cleared his throat, and continued.
"A mutant virus has appeared, and even the vaccine is losing its effectiveness. Yes. I will be frank. As things stand, there is no hope for the city."
The city fell silent at the mayor's blunt confession.
Lee Si-woo, on the other hand, frowned.
It was a foolish and irresponsible act.
For the supposed leader of a city to incite panic by confessing the truth, instead of trying to soothe people's anxieties?
At this rate, it wouldn't be surprising if mass hysteria led to riots.
Because sometimes, for the good of all, there are truths that should not be known.
But the mayor was no simpleton, and for the people of this world, the true pillar of support was not the mayor, but religion.
As soon as the mayor finished speaking, the Knight Commander standing beside him stepped forward and shouted.
"But do not worry. The holy Faceless stands behind us, and I, the servant of the Faceless, am by your side."
As her voice echoed through the square via the microphone, the faces of the citizens listening from their residences—unable to come to the square due to quarantine—brightened.
As if picturing their faces before her, the Knight Commander shouted in a powerful voice.
"We do not conceal, nor do we deceive. There is no need. No matter the despair or hardship, as long as the Faceless is with us, we do not doubt for a moment that we can overcome it. And that is why! We were able to find it. The being that brought that White Giant and the vile virus to this city. Gigant."
Lee Si-woo let out a low groan.
'So that's what Gigant is... the boss of the White Giant? Heh, it's one thing after another. We couldn't even handle one White Giant and had to flee to the city... and now the chapter's clear condition is to defeat its boss?'
As Lee Si-woo was reeling from the absurd difficulty of the chapter mission, the Knight Commander's speech reached a crescendo.
"Therefore! We are seeking volunteers. Of course, we will not accept just anyone! Only those with skills and abilities that we can acknowledge and approve of! And those with the courage to risk their lives and walk into the jaws of death! If you are such a person, we will accept you into the Knight Order, regardless of status or affiliation! Yes! Even if you are not residents of our world... but intruders-!"
The Knight Commander's bombshell declaration stirred not only the citizens but also the members of the various clubs.
Mana?
For the users from the Main Dimension, what two words could resonate more nostalgically?
A fervor like wildfire spread among the users.
Lee Si-woo and Si-woo were no exception.
Lee Si-woo's speech quickened slightly, perhaps due to anticipation, as he asked.
"What are the benefits of becoming a Knight?"
"What's there to say? If you become a Knight, you naturally receive the blessing of the Faceless. You can learn to use mana!"
'Would you look at that? I can learn mana this easily?'
A question sparked in Lee Si-woo's mind.
Was the mana he knew the same as the mana wielded by the Knights of this world?
They certainly called it mana, but this was the age of the Faceless, and mana was the power of the Faceless.
If that's the case?
Could the mana of the Faceless known in this era be connected to the energy of Barathrum?
'If mana is the same as Barathrum's energy... then... if even a single speck of Barathrum's energy were to inhabit this body...!'
"We will now be accepting volunteers—"
Before she could even finish her sentence, Lee Si-woo shot his hand up faster than anyone else and yelled in a voice louder than anyone else.
"I have an ability called Heal! This ability, once per day, can recover any injury or illness! Even if it's... the mutant virus! What does this mean? It means that as long as you're not dead, no matter what injury you sustain, I can save you! And if you get infected by the virus, I can cure you!"
Hearing Lee Si-woo's shout, Si-woo gave him a dumbfounded look as if to say, *what is wrong with this guy?* As for Kay and Wavy of the Arang Club, they felt their legs go weak at the sight of Lee Si-woo, who, after being told to keep his ability a secret, was now advertising it to the entire world.
Wavy rubbed his face with a dry hand and spat out a curse.
"That son of a bitch... really...!"
How could Wavy have known?
That the person they had so gleefully recruited was a liar beyond their wildest imagination.