Emergency State (2)
10:14 AM. A black sedan glided through the 45th Branch headquarters and descended into the underground parking garage. Three people stepped out: two Jang family heroes, and D-class hero Lee Kang-jun.
"Senior, I'll head out first."
"Yeah, alright. …Get in touch later."
"Yes."
Trailing after an S-class hero wasn't exactly a flattering image. He didn't want the label of opportunist stuck to him either.
He didn't care enormously about his reputation, but at the very least, avoiding a negative one was the sensible play. At least while he still wore the badge of a hero.
Kang-jun headed up to the main building ahead of the two Jangs. D-class personnel were classified as non-combatants from the start, so they'd been gathered in a separate location. They'd probably be used as meat shields or just to pad the headcount. That was how D-class heroes were typically treated.
His feet carried him to the audiovisual room on the first basement level. He arrived a bit later than the other D-class members, and when he pushed the door open, he found someone already giving a briefing on the stage.
Nearly a hundred people sat packed into the audiovisual room. All of them D-class. Quite a lot. They'd really dragged in everyone they could find, useful or not.
Kang-jun dropped into a suitable seat. The man spitting while explaining things on stage was the same muscle-bound brute who'd handled their group training before. He was running through roughly the same content Kang-jun had overheard in the car. Kang-jun reflexively stifled a yawn.
"…The headquarters has issued a direct support order, which means this situation is extremely serious. I'm sure you all understand what that implies."
Many faces were tense. They'd probably heard some rumors already. Even a measly monster with a level of 200 or higher was a beast these people couldn't handle.
Of course, D-class personnel wouldn't be sent in alone, but the reality remained that one wrong move and they'd tumble into a valley of death. And the higher-ups weren't going to protect them either. At least they wouldn't use them as meat shields, right?
"The roster is posted at the back."
As he said that, he flicked his finger toward the rear, and nearly every D-class member turned their head. Just as the muscle-brute had said, rosters of ten people each were plastered along the wall beside the door.
"Check your team and head to your assigned group. Dismissed."
The D-class personnel surged to their feet. Kang-jun didn't want to get swallowed by the boiling crowd, so he stayed seated until more than half of them had filed out.
Once the crowd thinned enough, he stood up and strode over to where the rosters were posted.
Kang-jun was in Team 1. He confirmed his team number and exited the audiovisual room. Staff outside urged everyone to move quickly.
He was handed a shabby duffel bag and stuffed his belongings into it as he walked down the corridor. Then he headed straight for the Team 1 sign. …Some of these faces looked familiar.
"Hey, hey?!"
A rather loud reaction came from one direction. That airheaded esper, Lexie. Fate, perhaps.
"Kang-jun! Wow, this is great!"
Naturally, Kang-jun's response was lukewarm. The oblivious Lexie didn't notice and clung to him, laughing cheerfully.
There was another familiar face in Team 1. Natasha Moskovskaya. Her hair had grown a bit longer since he'd last seen her, and the moment she spotted Kang-jun, her expression darkened slightly. You bitch, I hate you too. I'll smash your cunt to pieces.
"It's really just a coincidence, right?"
"Yeah, it is. But stop fidgeting and keep it down. This is a serious situation. Can't you see how everyone's looking at you? People's faces are grim."
"Ah, um… I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm really sorry."
Lexie bowed her stupid head repeatedly toward the other team members. At least she was obedient, even if she was dumb.
"…Are you mad at me?"
"I'm not mad. Just read the room next time, okay?"
"Yeah."
The way she'd get scolded and then turn around and giggle like an idiot — she really had a natural-born fool's spirit.
Not an easy trait to come by… The 3rd Dungeon was unusually full of strange women. Or maybe that was just how people were everywhere.
After an awkward stretch of time among the D-class personnel, the main building's doors swung wide open and the heroes poured out in a rush. The lowest-ranking among them gathered the D-class members clustered off to the side and led them away.
Kang-jun and the other nine moved at the gesture of an unknown C-class hero. They soon found themselves standing before their designated seniors.
"Everyone, greet them. This is your senior."
"No, wait. I'm Jang Hwa-young. I've been assigned as Team 1's leader. …This is a Level 1 emergency. The situation is extremely serious. So I expect you all to follow my orders precisely. Never act on your own judgment."
Jang Hwa-young? No way… The D-class members were startled at the name. There was only one hero they knew by that name.
"It's an honor, senior!"
They all bent their torsos as if their spines were breaking. That was the average attitude of those welcoming the 45th Branch's only S-class hero. Of course, Kang-jun also bowed his torso lightly, pretending not to know her.
None of the people here could possibly imagine that last night, she'd been pinned beneath him, panting and whimpering. Kang-jun smiled a little crookedly at the thought. There was definitely a certain pleasure in devouring a woman of superior status.
Jang Hwa-young's sweeping glance briefly met Kang-jun's eyes. The fact that he was in Team 1 was thanks to Jang Chul-min, who knew her personality and had thoughtfully pulled strings beforehand. Bringing him out in front of everyone would have looked ugly.
Sharp kid.
"Let's go. I'll explain the rest in the vehicle."
"Yes, se… Team Leader!"
A B-class hero received her order and instructed the lower-ranked members to follow.
C-class and D-class personnel moved in a cluster.
They boarded a medium-sized bus that could hold about twenty people. As Team 1 departed, Teams 2, 3, and so on followed in succession. There were eight teams in total.
"Jack, brief the kids."
"Yes, ma'am."
At Jang Hwa-young's terse command, the B-class hero Jack stood up. His body swayed slowly side to side with the bus's movement.
"I'm Jack Schneider, B-class, and I'll be serving as vice-team leader. A Level 1 emergency has been declared. The location is the 50th District. It's not our jurisdiction, but headquarters received a support request."
His bronze skin and closely cropped hair gave him a military feel, similar to the muscle-brute. But he wasn't a guard or physical-type, so his muscles weren't particularly bulky. Of course, you couldn't judge by appearances alone, but that's what he looked like.
"More than half the city has been affected. We've confirmed that many citizens are still trapped inside their homes and unable to get out. Our top priority is civilian rescue. Keep that in mind."
"Yes, ma'am!"
"From now on, individual action is strictly prohibited. There's no guarantee how long this situation will last. So don't waste time getting into pointless conflicts with each other — follow orders. Understood?"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Jack finished his brief explanation and sat down. The bus fell suddenly quiet. Honestly, it was the right call — nobody had the guts to speak up. An S-class hero, Jang Hwa-young, was riding right there. What random nobody would dare make small talk? That was roughly her standing.
That surreal scene of people exchanging only glances and breathing sounds continued for two whole hours. The bus drove without stopping.
Roads had been controlled since the 49th District. Almost no vehicles were entering — only an enormous stream of vehicles exiting. The eight medium-sized buses speeding in the opposite direction were more than enough to draw the attention of people exhausted from rush hour.
Lexie stared at the endless line of vehicles outside the window, her expression hardening. She was starting to feel the proximity of the 50th District.
Of course, Kang-jun wasn't the kind of considerate person who would encourage a nervous sperm sac. Take care of yourself, that was the attitude.
They drove another thirty minutes or so. As they neared the 50th District, all the traffic lights were flashing yellow. Evacuation orders had been issued for the surrounding areas too — the streets were deserted. The few people still visible were those evacuating late.
After a long while, Jack Schneider stood up and broke the heavy silence.
"We'll be arriving at the 50th District soon. Stay sharp and stay alert."
Lexie swallowed hard. She'd become an overnight national darling after appearing on Heroes Challenge, but she was still terrified of monsters. Heroes were supposed to overcome that fear, but it wasn't easy. She was still only one bite away from a monster.
And then, finally, the bus passed a large sign reading "50." Unfortunately, the weather had turned gloomy. It looked like rain was about to pour down.
"Fuck, even the sky's not cooperating."
A C-class hero muttered that while looking out the window.
The buses soon lined up neatly and stopped. The city was already like a ghost town — no lights, no signs of life. The roads and sidewalks were completely empty and desolate. Somewhere in the distance, dogs barked.
People poured out and stretched their stiff bodies. Kang-jun got off near the end, stretched wide, and looked up at the sky heavy with dark clouds. …If it rains too, this'll be the worst case.
Soon, a headcount was conducted. Names were called out one by one.
"Lexie Swift. …Lexie! …Where the hell is she?"
All eyes turned to Kang-jun. The look said: Where's that loose-screwed bitch who's been trailing after you? No, where the hell did that crazy woman go this time? Kang-jun briefly pressed his hand to his forehead.
"…I'll go find her."
"Find her fast! Where the hell did she go without saying anything?"
Kang-jun clenched his teeth and turned around. He pushed through the crowd and spotted her standing between the parked buses.
She was — whether she'd actually been shot in the head or not — striking some weird pose and taking a selfie.
Wow… this bitch. She's truly legendary. Her pussy's getting magnificent, this bitch really is.
"Hey! Lexie!"
She was caught in the act of sticking out her tongue and making a V-sign with her fingers when Kang-jun's shout made her jump. She stuffed her phone away with the expression of someone about to be arrested on the spot.
"You fuck… are you actually sane? Huh?! Are you crazy? Taking selfies here without saying a word?!"
"Ah, no. I… I was just feeling suffocated. …I'm sorry, Kang-jun. I'm really sorry! Really? I'm really sorry. I'm truly sorry."
Even through all that, Lexie was batting her eyelashes and trying to act cute. Kang-jun almost slapped her cheek. But he barely held back, because he didn't want to hear the rumor that he'd slapped a teammate the moment they arrived. To think he'd use the patience he'd been forcibly taught by the gods for something like this.
"Follow me quickly."
"You came looking for me? …Um, what do I do now."
"Shut up and stay quiet. I'll handle the explanation."
The two of them soon arrived in front of Jack Schneider. He glared at Lexie with narrowed eyes. Kang-jun quickly made an excuse.
"She said she suddenly felt nauseous and almost threw up. She didn't have time to speak."
"Then at least you should've told your partner before leaving, right?!"
…Partner? Kang-jun had suddenly become this crazy woman's partner. Why? How?
He checked, and the other eight D-class members had all been paired up. While they'd been briefly away, it had apparently been arranged that way. Wow, really, oh God, he'd prayed — but thinking about it, he'd prayed to the wrong entity. He was in such a pitiful state that there wasn't even a god to pray to.
"I'm sorry, Vice-Team Leader. I was feeling very nauseous and couldn't hold it back…"
You bitch, what's with this sudden acting upgrade.
"I won't forgive you next time! This is the only exception!"
"Yes, I'll remember that."
"Alright, get in line."
The two of them attached themselves to the end of the line. Lexie nudged Kang-jun in the ribs and winked, saying what an amazing excuse that was.
Kang-jun thought carefully about how things had gotten so tangled up.
…
Could it have started from when he'd shouted "sperm sac" for 50 coupons—.