Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: The Girl Ultimately Despairs, Great Library Investigation Operation (1)
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0.
“Five minutes to gate opening.”
127 hunters clad in uniforms.
The sight of them lined up in perfect order before the gate was truly spectacular.
“Squad leaders, report by squad.”
A cool wind blew in.
Black coat tails fluttered like waves.
“Don’t piss your pants.”
The one who cracked a joke amid the tense atmosphere was none other than Cha Seung-hyeon.
“I’m warning you—once that stench hits, it doesn’t wash out easy.”
Yoon Geon-woo followed up on Cha Seung-hyeon’s banter.
“That’s from his personal experience.”
“P-Personal experience? Bro, what the hell?!”
Do Ye-jin couldn’t help but chuckle.
The tension that had everyone sweating bullets eased in an instant.
“Quiet down.”
Shin Tae-yeop gave them a warning, then shouted.
“First Hunting Squad, ready.”
Do Ye-jin stood at the center of the formation. Fully geared up were Cha Seung-hyeon, Yoon Geon-woo, Hong Byeong-gyu, and Shin Tae-yeop.
“Damn, this shitty military drill survived even into the ruined world.”
Hong Byeong-gyu grumbled.
“Probably ’cause it’s the most efficient. Grandpa introduced it.”
Hong Byeong-gyu usually wore [Heavy Armor], but for the Great Library, where silence was key, he’d opted for the uniform this time.
“Second Hunting Squad, ready.”
“Third Hunting Squad, ready.”
“Fourth Hunting Squad, ready.”
……
……
……
“Seventh Recon Squad, ready!”
Choi Uk nodded.
Choi Uk wore the uniform too, but over it, he had on a crow-feather cloak and crow-beak gas mask.
“Gate open!”
Keeeeeek…….
The sliding iron gate screeched loudly as it began to rise.
Beyond it lay a writhing wall of fog, slithering like a serpent.
That was the boundary line.
The line where Paradise ended and the Nightmare began.
“Strictly adhere to operation rules and assigned orders.”
Do Ye-jin took a deep breath.
The Cannonex strapped to her back felt heavier than usual today.
“Maze Zone penetration formation—deploy! Commencing Great Library investigation operation as of this moment!”
June 2, 2045.
The operation known as the Jongno Great Library survey.
This mission, recorded as the greatest tragedy amid the <Association>’s Seoul Jongno District reclamation battle, thus curtained up.
1.
How <Association> hunters prepare for the hunt.
“Uniforms first.”
Chainmail over underwear.
White linen shirt over that, then pull on the pants and buckle the belt.
Leather boots for shoes.
Steel guards for knees and elbows.
Do Ye-jin donned it all, then loaded her belt with gear.
“Two Nebula Liquids, Cloud Iron dagger, silver bell.”
Finally, the leather coat.
Leather harness over the shoulder, then Cannonex on the back.
“This is really all we need?”
“That’s what I’ve been telling you.”
Cha Seung-hyeon stood, hefting a massive backpack, and replied.
“The key to warrior-type hunters is lightweight gear.”
Ranged and caster-type hunters handle squad supplies like this.
Three emergency kits. Ten Nebula Liquids.
Squad members’ emergency rations and spare ammo.
“What, ’cause support types are the lazy sort?”
“Wanna die?”
This wasn’t because support types were inferior.
Two reasons.
One.
Warrior-types handling close combat had high gear loss rates.
Two.
To lighten the load for hit-and-run tactics.
The <Association>’s combat style—prioritizing critical hits, evasion, and speed—was established by Lead Hunter Kim Baek-jun, they said.
It dramatically boosted warrior-type survival rates.
“Ready?”
Shin Tae-yeop, in combat gear, spoke up.
A big bag on his back, just like Cha Seung-hyeon.
“Alright. Let’s move.”
This was the scene one hour before departure.
A pipe dream landscape they foolishly thought would be the same upon return.
2.
“Wedge formation!”
The ruined city.
At the edge of Sajik-dong in Jongno-gu, Choi Uk bellowed.
“Expand the wedge gradually. Squad leaders, swiftly link with recon teams to complete the support network.”
The three-column formation unfurled into a wedge in seconds.
“Whoa…….”
Do Ye-jin murmured softly.
It was that precise—enough to draw genuine awe. That’s when the bells tolled.
Ding…… ding…… ding……
From the alley crammed with abandoned buildings.
The next instant, a body-hair-raising howl erupted.
“Northwest—Heteromorph swarm!”
“Confirmed. Fourth Hunting Squad moving in.”
“Seventh Hunting Squad reinforcing.”
“‘Old One’ location confirmed. Extermination team, all in.”
Soon, a gruesome sight appeared. Faces of Heteromorphs overflowing the alley.
“Ignore ’em. Focus on running.”
Cha Seung-hyeon, running alongside Do Ye-jin, ordered firmly.
“Worried about your pals? Rookies don’t get thrown into that.”
Seemed like it.
A female hunter swung both arms, and razor wires danced dazzlingly.
──Puhwaaaaaak!
The sound of flesh shredding…… and agonized screams.
“Five…… six down. Backup!”
“On it.”
……Everyone’s a pro.
Do Ye-jin swallowed dryly.
She barely managed to tear her eyes from the brutality.
“[Maze Zone] entry in 5 seconds!”
Do Ye-jin looked up, beholding the infamous [Maze Zone] up close.
“No wonder they call it the Maze Zone…….”
“See? Makes more sense now that you’re here, right?”
Cha Seung-hyeon said.
It really did. Enough to praise the <Association>’s naming sense.
Collapsed buildings strewn everywhere.
They blocked roads and sightlines alike. Without this formation, annihilation would be swift.
“Entering!”
First maze: Skyville Apartments.
Leaping through a huge window into a home’s entryway.
Oppressive silence. Eerie stench.
Cluttered living room jammed with furniture.
Passing quickly, something rustled.
……Rustle?
Her heart froze in that instant.
Something leaped from the dark, pouncing on Do Ye-jin.
Human wheel.
A beat too slow to react.
A spear tip burst from its maw. Yoon Geon-woo had been guarding her.
“Human wheels love the dark. They hide and ambush. Don’t let it happen again. Run!”
Do Ye-jin bolted frantically.
Out the living room, over the balcony window.
First maze cleared.
Deep darkness gave way to the dim cityscape again.
“Huff…… huff…… huff…….”
Only then did she catch her breath.
Only then did she have time to wipe the blood splatter from her face.
But that respite was all too brief.
Echoing bells from ruined streets everywhere. Urgent shouts and screams tangling.
“More from the left!”
“Urgent signal from right flank recon.”
“Ninth Hunting Squad—cannot proceed! Cannot proceed! Requesting reinforcements!”
Humanity no longer owned this city.
Now intruders and unwelcome guests, they had to pay tolls to the new masters.
“Look, a bus.”
Cha Seung-hyeon’s voice was giddy with adrenaline.
“Burnt up, but the shape’s intact.”
“If we took the bus…….”
“Bus? What?”
“Five minutes to the Great Library…….”
Cha Seung-hyeon fell silent.
That era’s leisure had been dazzlingly abundant.
The bus driver humming along to the radio.
The pleasant jolts of the rumbling bus.
Fresh early summer breeze through half-open windows.
But that era now felt like a distant mirage in a dream.
“Yeah…… five minutes away.”
Do Ye-jin drew the Cannonex from its holster. The heavy metal gripped in her hand brought cold reassurance.
Gotta forget that era now….
Lost in such thoughts, she safely cleared four mazes.
“Next maze entry in 3 seconds.”
Shin Tae-yeop glanced back, instructing calmly.
“Most dangerous point. Seung-hyeon, mark Ye-jin tight.”
“Got it.”
Danger spot: old hotel.
Entry floor: 11F.
The whole floor seemed to have been a bathhouse—filthy water rose to her calves.
“Ugh…… the smell.”
Good thing the uniform boots went up to her shins……. Splashing through the muck, something brushed her calf oddly.
“What was that?”
“What?”
“Something down there.”
Cha Seung-hyeon’s face twisted in terror—Do Ye-jin froze on the spot.
Cha Seung-hyeon…… looking like that?
“Fuck…… it’s a Huesharak!”
“Everyone freeze!”
Shin Tae-yeop reacted instantly.
“I got this. Do Ye-jin! Ring the bell. Four times. Signals route closure.”
Four times. Four times. Four times…….
Do Ye-jin yanked out the bell and shook it wildly.
“Let’s see.”
Meanwhile, Shin Tae-yeop formed hand seals; the rosary at his neck began pulsing red.
“Ter, Al, Yuhiri, Belzare.”
Seals and chant complete.
The rosary ballooned, enveloping the squad.
“Gon, Durshiel!”
It turned to fireballs, evaporating the filth at their feet.
Then it came…….
Kruuuuuuuuueeeeeeeeek.
A sticky, spine-chilling roar.
Just hearing it sent cold sweat down her back.
“Now! Break out in one go!”
Splashing erupted fiercely.
Do Ye-jin’s heart pounded.
Massive tentacles burst from the distant muck, thrashing wildly.
“Uwaaaaaah!”
Two rear guards got snagged.
Rookies, by their levels.
Tentacles writhed—bones crunching, one body dissolving in a spray of blood.
No, don’t.
Unsure why herself, Do Ye-jin reacted with shocking speed.
“No! I’ll handle it! Just sever the tentacles. Stimulating the main body will—”
She pulled powder from the pouch, loaded the chamber, slammed in the shell, and fired.
Ears rang from the deafening boom.
Explosion flash revealed…… the thing hiding in the tub.
“Geon-woo oppa!”
Dazed, nausea surged.
“Get this idiot outta here quick!”
“Like Seung-hyeon said! I’ll hold it as long as I can.”
Overall shape: octopus.
Features: body covered in red carapace, countless eyes writhing in the gaps…….
“Do Ye-jin! Hey, Do Ye-jin!”
Those eyes fixating on her all at once was pure terror.
Kiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeee.
The roar shredding eardrums—someone yanked her collar then.
“Grip that weapon right.”
Yoon Geon-woo.
Steel body……? Impossible speed.
Yoon Geon-woo dragged her nearly 150 meters in under 5 seconds.
Reason obvious.
The horrific tentacles targeted only her.
Madly lunging tentacles.
Each time, muck sprayed wildly. Amid the chaos, he evaded expertly, then hurled her out the window.
That marked the end of the final maze.
Do Ye-jin dropped the Cannonex, tumbling into the street, covered in ash and dust.
“You fucking moron.”
Lifting her head, Yoon Geon-woo approached, saying so.
“Veterans said obey without question. Know how close you came to wiping us all?”
The maze they’d just escaped.
Explosions boomed—peng, peng, peng—each with agonized howls.
“Cha Seung-hyeon! Why didn’t you stop her?”
Cha Seung-hyeon, just emerging, flailed his hands innocently.
“I tried!”
“Oh, really now?”
“But she fired like Ha-kyeong noona’s 《Super Acceleration》—blink of an eye. For real.”
Yoon Geon-woo sighed.
“In the Nightmare Zone, ignorance kills.”
Then he suddenly smacked the back of Do Ye-jin’s head hard.
“You actually die! Huesharak’s an ‘Old One.’ Strongest Heteromorph—and the worst of them. Rampage doesn’t end with one squad wiped.”
By then, Hong Byeong-gyu rushed out with two wounded. Yoon Geon-woo continued.
“Just had to run…… why’d you do it?”
Why…….
Ashamed, Do Ye-jin bowed her head.
“Thought that guy was gonna die…… wanted to save him quick…….”
Cha Seung-hyeon and Hong Byeong-gyu exchanged odd glances. Hong Byeong-gyu soothed.
“Hey, same level. Let it go. Wasn’t bad—just a good deed.”
Yoon Geon-woo’s lips bit tight, hand trembling.
“Idiots like you always die fast.”
“…….”
“Burn it in. Always prioritize yourself, no matter what. Saving others? Only the truly strong can pull that off.”
She didn’t know why.
But something felt off.
Like Yoon Geon-woo’s anger wasn’t aimed at her, but someone else.