Smooth Sailing
The voyage had gone smoothly. With clear weather and barely a breeze, it felt almost like a pleasure cruise from up on deck.
Ten long hours passed like that. Gradually, the sky clouded over, and rain began to pour down in sheets. Amid the downpour, the faint outline of land came into view. Soon after, Total Commander Lee Han-yeok summoned the officers.
"Hold position up top for now. We'll scout the situation, then Team 1 disembarks first, followed by the rest in order."
At his command, the officers gathered their troops and waited for the ship to dock. But a perfect landing was impossible. The ship's massive size was one issue, but anchoring at a regular beach without a proper harbor was next to impossible. They got as close as they could, but the shore was still several hundred meters away.
They'd been briefed by the captain in advance, so as soon as the ship halted in a suitable spot, Lee Han-yeok ordered disembarkation.
Splash!
Hunters leaped into the sea one by one. The water was deep, but with buoyancy magic enhancing them, it posed no obstacle. Soon, those deploying mobility devices shot out of the waves at high speed.
As Team 1 reached land, Chief of Staff's Team 2 took to the skies in unison. His team consisted entirely of the All-Magic Air Unit.
Someone overtook them in a flash.
"That's the new regional commander, huh? Damn, he's fast."
"First time seeing him today? That's not even impressive for him."
"Yeah, you were with Manager Lee Tae-ho and the Water Castle team, right? Heard the rumors, but is he really a monster?"
"Don't get me started. If you'd been there, you'd have felt it in your bones—how one human could fight like that. He stopped a Meteor Strike single-handedly."
"I heard, but... is that even possible?"
"For him? Yeah."
By the time Team 2 landed amid their murmurs of awe, Teams 3 and 4 had disembarked in turn. Scattered in full alert formation, they saw no immediate threats and began moving according to plan.
To match his team's pace, Taejeong stowed his Blaster and summoned his exoskeleton legs. Running alongside Lee Han-yeok, he exchanged brief words.
"What's that up there? Looks like yours."
Lee Han-yeok nodded toward the small flying craft hovering overhead.
"It's a bomber, but I'm using it for recon. Figured it'd have a much wider view than from the ground."
"A bomber? Never seen anything like it. Can it attack too?"
"Yes. That's what it was built for, apparently."
"Hard to tell from the size, but it must be impressive."
"Haven't tested it yet."
"Anyway, your class is something else. If you spot anything, let me know right away."
"Got it."
The deeper they pushed inland, the heavier the rain grew. It poured so fiercely that keeping their eyes open was a struggle. One by one, the hunters raised shields, and Taejeong summoned his Taeguk 1.
It took quite a while for the two hundred-plus troops to advance northward. Upon reaching the first rally point, they set up camp and began planning the next phase.
"Time's tight, so from here, we split into three: east, west, and central. Right, Regional Commander?"
Taejeong lowered his helmet at Lee Han-yeok's call.
"Yes."
"Anything unusual on scan?"
"Nothing within ten li except roads."
"Hmm. Alright."
The chief of staff spoke up as Lee Han-yeok nodded.
"Where exactly was the last comms cutoff?"
"Instruments point here. But as you know, gate comms have a wide margin of error—hard to be certain."
"Mm. Then we split as planned. They could be fighting for their lives right now while we sit here. Issue the orders."
Lee Han-yeok nodded again, studying the map intently before issuing commands.
"Team 4 under 2nd Air Wing Leader heads east along this road. You'll hit the old town of Visco eventually—closest to Sakhalinsk from there, so search it thoroughly. Special Forces Captain, you swing west to Point A beach, where the ship likely ran aground. They were ambushed there, so move with extreme caution. Report any anomalies immediately."
"Understood. Don't worry."
"Chief of Staff's Team 2 and our Team 1 will search downtown Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk."
"Got it."
"Alright, move out to your zones and confirm comms."
The teams split into three directions. Taejeong stuck with Lee Han-yeok on Team 1. Fewer numbers meant faster movement. His exoskeleton legs couldn't keep up anymore, so he summoned boosters to stay with the group.
How long had they run? Suddenly, Gerard's voice rang in Taejeong's ear as he pushed toward downtown.
3km ahead. There's a small dam.
"A dam?"
Yes. Beyond the dam lies what seems to be a city. With that tall tower in the center, it's probably the downtown you mentioned.
"People? Monsters?"
Nothing visible at the moment.
"Good. Alert me to any changes."
Understood.
Taejeong relayed Gerard's intel to Lee Han-yeok.
"Certain?"
"Yes. He'll report any changes immediately."
"Good."
Not long after, just as Taejeong said, they spotted a small dam that seemed to hold something back. Lee Han-yeok signaled Team 2, and over a hundred bodies lightened like feathers. They leaped, gravity seemingly vanishing as they cleared the dam in an instant—buoyancy magic at work.
What lay before them was a complete ruin of an old town. So long abandoned, it was unrecognizable as a city. Jeju Island, which they'd visited recently, seemed tame by comparison.
They headed for the independent tower, presumed site of the last comms.
"From here, move in 8-man squads. ERGs on—don't stray beyond 4km radius of the tower."
"Yes, sir."
Seven elite commandos were assigned to Taejeong. With them, he began searching likely spots for isolated guildmates.
Buildings were prime suspects. If ambushed by monsters, staying outside was suicide. They might send scouts for rescue, but not everyone needed to be out. Survivors were probably hiding somewhere.
Buildings first.
"This way."
Intact structures here numbered fewer than ten. With teams already fanned out, his best bet was the crumbling research lab.
After 2km, the massive facility appeared as described.
"Want me to scout?"
One commando asked. Taejeong shook his head.
"Too big. We go together."
Unknown enemy strength—no splitting further. Minimal force as it was; sticking together was best.
Inside, the interior was so damaged it was a miracle it stood. One heavenly strike would collapse it.
He warned the team: "Structure's weak—avoid big skills unless necessary."
"Got it. And drop the formalities. We're under your command."
"It's temporary. Not used to it."
He wasn't accustomed to this, even from regional command. His level was just scraping 500, while these elites averaged 650+. Levels weren't everything, but bossing around far more experienced vets felt wrong. Respect was key.
The commandos exchanged surprised glances.
'Good guy.'
'Actually human.'
'Worthy of following.'
Searching on, they reached the main room with its mysterious massive pillar. Covered in unknown script, material unidentified, it pierced from floor to ceiling—an alien fixture in the lab.
"Any idea what this is?"
The team shook their heads.
"No clue. Weird, though. High-tech setup everywhere, but this crude pillar? Doesn't look man-made."
Taejeong agreed, eyeing the floor. Tiles were shattered.
Not built—burst up from below. Sprouted?
People first, though. Onto the next room.
Then—
Bzzzzz—!
A piercing resonance filled the air. Lights flickered across the pillar's script as something black oozed from the floor. It coalesced into a grotesque lifeform, and weapons were drawn in unison.
Taejeong chambered his MK4 and summoned a laser gun for backup.
By then, monsters numbered over 200 in the main room. It had happened in a blink.
Pauls—Blue 15th stage beasts, brutally strong. The commandos, familiar with them, reported tensely.
"Paul, appropriate level 650+. Outside, maybe, but too many here, Regional Commander."
Taejeong's expression didn't change at "650." If anything, relief—he maxed around 600-650. But not alone, and no big skills here. Numbers and tight space made allies hazardous; his weapons could sweep them too.
Thinking fast, he ordered:
"North to Gate 4. I'll cover—run!"
Swords glowed as they charged. Monsters closed in; a brief skirmish erupted ahead. Few foes—cleared fast. Commandos bolted to Gate 4.
Taejeong drew all aggro, buying time, then maxed boosters. He shook them off and landed safely at Gate 4.
The waiting team asked:
"Where to now?"
"Nowhere."
"Sir?"
"We crush 'em first."
With that, a massive machine materialized. Blocking Gate 4's entrance, he aimed his cannon-sized flamethrower and super Vulcan cannon.