Sudden Quest? What the Hell Is This?
Taejeong muttered while staring at the screen, and Gerard immediately responded.
-That's strange.
"What is?"
-The quest for the close combat special weapon system shouldn't be opening right now.
"Why not?"
-The prerequisite level is 700.
"Then what the hell is this?"
-It seems an unexpected event within the illusionary construct has triggered an error.
"An error, huh. But isn't the conclusion a good one? I'm only in the 500s, and this opens me up 200 levels ahead."
-Humans often describe this as luck reaching the heavens.
"Or striking it rich."
He didn't know exactly what had happened, but it was good fortune for him. A quest that should have appeared much later had popped up early. And with a prerequisite of level 700, the reward had to be something massive, right? Brimming with anticipation, he immediately pulled up the quest window.
Close Combat Special Weapon System
In an era dominated by vehicle-based military enhancements, an international military weapon standard was established for efficient combat. The initial standard was Korea's Project K, but it was later officially renamed Project G5 with participation from the US, UK, Japan, Australia, and others. Alongside Z7, which involved China, Russia, and seven other countries, it became one of the two major weapon systems.
📍 Objective: Find Director Lee Soo-young of the Lee Soo-young Research Institute, attending the World Military Science Association LLD, and secure the document on the close combat special weapon system.
🎁 Reward: Activation of the Close Combat Special Weapon System.
"Director Lee Soo-young... That woman from earlier? Nah, could be a guy. But that's not the point right now."
This quest opening was undoubtedly good for him, but the situation was far from ideal. The rescue team was scattered, and who knew where the expedition team was fighting for their lives against unknown dangers. Finding them came first.
"Where the hell did everyone go?"
Taejeong decided to thoroughly search the research institute's interior. He'd look for guild members and Director Lee Soo-young at the same time. He had to search anyway.
With that, he began moving slowly.
A pitch-black space blocked on all sides by irregular rocks. In this place where you couldn't see an inch ahead, over a dozen people had gathered.
"What are we going to do now? Are the others safe?"
"Who knows. We've been trying to communicate nonstop... but no response."
They were conversing in hushed, deathly quiet tones—the expedition team dispatched to New Zealand about two months ago. Caught in unexpected foul weather that broke their ship, they'd barely made it to the nearest island to survive. At the time, they had no idea what kind of place it was. They'd just entered the Okhotsk Sea (northern Pacific) after passing through Japan's inland sea when the trouble started, so they vaguely thought it might be some beach on northern Hokkaido.
They'd formed teams to scout the surroundings when monsters suddenly assaulted them. At first, they didn't think much of it. Northern Hokkaido was undeveloped territory in Japan, treated as one massive dungeon. They knew its level well, so it shouldn't pose a threat to them. Not only was the expedition team capable, but their leader was Jenix's rank 5, 3rd Raid Leader Park Seongmin.
But after the first assault and then the second, they realized something was wrong. The monsters were far too strong— their tech didn't work at all.
Park Seongmin was the first to grasp it. He knew their identity before even engaging, but they struck so fast that initial response failed. Only after over a dozen injuries did he issue orders: retreat from the beach.
The problem was even he was doubtful of that judgment. In unknown territory, you should move slowly, observing, listening, feeling everything carefully. But with injured and few able to fight besides him and a handful of others, he had no choice.
They barely broke through to a research institute with an independent tower. Only then did they realize where they were.
Sakhalin. Zero Ground territory.
They'd drifted much farther north than thought. Realizing the gravity, Park Seongmin seized a brief lull to contact the guild. Communication succeeded, and he reported quickly. But after a few short words, monsters attacked again.
That's when the bizarre happened. Park Seongmin vanished from the battlefield mid-fight. It threw everyone into panic. The formation crumbled instantly, hunters scattering in flight. Soon, they too sank into the earth like they'd vanished.
When they came to, they were here. Only eleven remained.
"They might be looking for us. Shouldn't we move a little?"
"Moving rashly is dangerous. Could we take even one of those outside? And this space is so cramped—if we run into them, we're done."
"Yeah... but staying put like this..."
"I know. Let's think a bit more and then move."
As they pondered futilely, a faint voice echoed from somewhere. They all held their breath, ears straining.
'...nobody here.'
Several spoke at once.
"A person?"
"Right? A human voice?"
"Must be nearby."
It was unmistakably human, growing louder over time.
"There's nobody here! Raid Leader Park Seongmin! Is anyone there?!"
Click. The man at the front stood.
"I know that voice. It's the comms deputy."
"Then let's go."
"Lights on, everyone."
Lights flared, illuminating the space. A dozen soaked figures appeared like drowned rats.
"Four at the rear, four at the front, rest on alert."
They nodded and took positions efficiently. Exchanging glances, they nodded again and headed toward the voice without a word.
'Where the hell is everyone.'
Searching every corner of the research institute, Taejeong wondered if people were even here. It felt like he'd been dropped alone into another world. Now he even thought what he saw was real and he was the fake.
"Feels like I've become a ghost."
He was utterly alien here. No one recognized him, no one heard him. Physical contact was impossible. Everything he'd tried passed through like a specter. But the building was real—tangible walls, cold air, distinct smells.
That made it more confusing.
"No matter how I look, our guild members aren't here. And the entrance..."
One more fact: no entrance. Gerard, who could see the reality, guided him, but no door existed.
"This isn't about people—I'm the problem. Can't get out, just circling forever till I die?"
Frustration boiled at the inexplicable phenomenon. Rescue, quest, his own safety—nothing went right.
But complaining wouldn't help. Steel himself and push the search, he reached the third floor. There, he heard a welcome voice.
"Seen Director Lee Soo-young?"
"Probably in her room."
"The lodging?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Typhoon delayed the US flight. Lunch pushed back an hour, came to inform her."
"Just call."
"No answer."
"Go check. She's in her room. Oh, Japan skipping this time?"
"Relations with Russia are bad. They opposed hosting here from the start."
"Sheesh. By that logic, we cooperate with Japan out of love? Global era forces it. Pointless pissing contests lead to international isolation."
"Don't know details. Just the vibe."
"Anyway, go."
"Yes. See you later."
The man left first, the woman soon after.
'Even in darkness, light exists.'
For Taejeong seeking Lee Soo-young's quarters, it was a ray of hope. One problem might solve itself. He followed the woman.
He arrived at an undiscovered basement level, deep down a corridor lined with national flags. She pressed the bell at the door with the Korean flag.
Ding-dong.
Ding-dong.
The door opened, a woman drying her wet hair peeking out.
"Huh? Honey, what's up?"
"US delegation flight delayed by typhoon, lunch in one hour. No phone answer, so I came down."
"Ah, was showering. One hour?"
"Yes. Printed new schedule."
"Got it. Our delegation all arrived?"
"Yes. Just now, greeting hosts."
"Good. Thanks. See you."
"Yes."
As she left and the door nearly closed, Taejeong slipped inside.
Click.
'Okay. Entry secured.'
The room was moderately sized—like his old one-room from porter days. But luxurious, fit for a national delegate.
'Let's see...'
He scanned the desk for project files.
"Just like the first time. Yoo-hoo. I've been waiting for you. This night reminds me of that day..."
She hummed an unknown tune, stepping lightly. Taejeong smirked inwardly.
'People are all the same.'
Ignoring her, back to the desk—suddenly, she flung off her towel.
Too sudden, Taejeong froze as she struck a shameless pose before him.
"How's this? Not dead yet, right?"
"Gah."
Her naked body exposed raw. His heart pounded from the defenseless assault.