Chapter 204: Heroes are Born in Crisis (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 204: Heroes are Born in Crisis (2)
"Why aren't you starting the rescue operation right now?!"
A Japanese Hero shouted in anger as the Chinese Support Headquarters remained stationary behind the defense line they had established.
Since many Chinese Heroes did not speak English, an interpreter standing nearby had to translate every word.
After hearing the translation, the Chinese Hero replied nonchalantly.
The Japanese Hero waited for the translation of the characteristically harsh and high-pitched Chinese tone. The interpreter hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"They say that China only agreed to support the dungeon conquest for the Dungeon Impact..."
"The dungeon exploded because you failed that conquest!"
The interpreter translated the Japanese Hero's angry words into the softest tone possible.
The Chinese Hero frowned and replied.
"According to the records, the dungeon that exploded hadn't even reached the second stage of erosion. We did nothing wrong."
"This isn't the time to argue about who's right or wrong!"
The angry Japanese Hero's colleague stepped in to restrain her and spoke again.
"Determining who is responsible isn't what's important right now. Saving the Japanese citizens in danger comes first."
"That's why we've built a defense line to keep the monsters from breaking out."
"So you're saying everyone in Miura City should just die?"
At the Japanese Hero's words, the Chinese Hero's lips curled into a sneer.
"We'll stay here and maintain the defense line so the monsters can't escape, so you guys can go in and save them yourselves."
"..."
"You're too terrified to go in, yet you have the nerve to tell others what to do."
The Japanese Hero couldn't respond.
Without the Jewel of Life, if something went wrong, it was the end.
They were Heroes who were braver than anyone inside a dungeon, but outside of one, they prioritized their own safety.
"Our purpose was to provide support during a crisis, but we have no intention of sacrificing precious Hero assets."
The inability to use the Jewel of Life was one problem, but the bigger issue was the absence of A-rank Heroes.
A-rank dungeons were difficult to conquer because the monsters were powerful, often requiring several days for a single raid.
This was why the number of A-rank parties was small, and the Hero currently acting as the deputy for the Chinese Support Headquarters was only B-rank.
Since Heroes from all over the world had gathered, there were A-rank Heroes resting, but most were stationed far away.
They were focusing on their own assigned sectors, assuming the Support Headquarters near the scene would handle it.
Since five or six dungeons had exploded simultaneously, the Support Headquarters had concluded this wasn't a natural occurrence and had deployed their A-rank forces to various regions to prepare for further incidents.
If they went to support the Chinese headquarters and a similar dungeon explosion occurred in their own sector, the damage would be catastrophic.
Fortunately, Miura City's geography—protruding downward like a peninsula—meant there was little risk of the monsters spreading. If this had happened inland, where establishing a defense line was difficult, there would have been no solution.
The resting A-rank Heroes were all deployed to their respective regions to monitor the situation. Currently, Miura City had to be defended by only a few B-rank parties sent by China, Japan, and Russia.
"We've received a request from Black Unicorn, who is currently conducting rescues on-site, to lower the defense line."
"Denied."
The Chinese Hero acting as the Support Team Leader refused without a second thought.
"We won't stop anyone from heading to the scene like the Korean party. If you want to, go into Miura City."
The Chinese Hero spoke with a sneer, knowing the cowering Japanese Heroes wouldn't dare enter.
Despite the humiliating look on her face, the Japanese Hero never said she would enter Miura City.
Mocking the Hero who slammed the door shut in a rage, the Chinese Hero turned her gaze back to the situation board.
"Do you really have no intention of conducting a rescue?"
"Don't waste your time on useless thoughts and just do your job."
The staff member in the situation room fell silent at the Chinese Hero's cold response.
At that time, Haruka, who had just finished a dungeon conquest, rushed over as soon as she heard the news about Miura City.
Seeing the Chinese support team had established a long defense line as if preparing for war, Haruka was impressed by their quick response and asked when they would be departing.
However, the answer she received was not what she expected.
"Our mission is to hold the defense line."
Haruka, who had assumed they would slowly push south, was bewildered. After asking the Chinese Hero several times and receiving the same answer, she headed toward the Support Headquarters in a rage.
On her way, she met the Hero who had already been to the headquarters and heard the details.
"They want us to handle the rescue operation alone?"
"That's what they said. Those selfish Chink bastards have no intention of taking even the slightest bit of damage."
"No, I mean, if the permission was granted, why isn't anyone going? What about the other parties?"
The Japanese Hero cursed China, but Haruka was curious why the Japanese Heroes were staying still.
At her incredulous expression, the Japanese Heroes avoided her gaze.
Silence hung in the air. Realizing belatedly that they were afraid of death and playing it safe, Haruka let out a hollow laugh.
"And you call yourselves Heroes who have inherited the Samurai spirit?"
"Hey, we could just go down there with those Chinks, so why should we be the only ones suffering?"
"Because we're saving Japanese people! When it comes to saving lives, does it matter who suffers more? Is your life really that precious to you?!"
When Haruka finally snapped, the Japanese Heroes didn't back down and shouted back.
"Who said our lives are too precious? It's about efficiency! Yes, efficiency! If we can just convince those Chinks, who are crawling around like cockroaches, to help with the rescue..."
Haruka turned away before the Japanese Hero could even finish.
Arguing like this was a waste of time.
She looked at her own party, who were already exhausted from their dungeon conquest.
Her teammate, Mei, gave an awkward smile as she loaded bullets into her JP-12 revolver.
"We're going, right?"
"Yeah. Anyone who wants out can stay behind."
"That's cold. If the Captain is going, we're going too."
Mei spun the cylinder with a flick of her wrist, snapped it into the JP-12, and stood up with a grin.
"Everyone feels the same, right?"
"I don't really want to go, but if you say we're going, then we're going."
"Is dying such a big deal? We became Heroes to save people."
"We're not going to die."
As Haruka spoke firmly, the members smiled and nodded.
"Situation room, is there any way to get information?"
"I'll try to contact the Black Unicorn situation room on-site."
Black Unicorn.
Hearing the name of the party Satomi was in again, Haruka recalled the video of the dungeon conquest commanded by Jeong Yeon-woo.
The organic movements like a military unit, the sophisticated tactics without a hint of waste—if they were on the scene, she could feel at ease.
And she felt deeply grateful that they were the only party to have entered the area.
"Let's go."
The Tenshin party members began to run behind Haruka.
The dungeons at the bottom of Miura City had exploded, so the aftermath hadn't reached this far yet, but Haruka's expression grew grim as she saw the citizens frantically evacuating north.
"Communication established with Black Unicorn."
Jeong Yeon-woo's voice, which she had heard so many times from rewatching the conquest videos that it felt familiar, reached Haruka's ears.
"This is Jeong Yeon-woo of Black Unicorn. Thank you for the support."
"This is Haruka of Tenshin. On behalf of Japan, I express my respect to Black Unicorn."
As soon as the formalities were over, Jeong Yeon-woo got straight to the point.
"I have command of the field. May I take command of the Tenshin party as well?"
Normally, she would have cursed about meeting a controlling leader.
Every party had its own independent command structure, and in large-scale operations, orders were usually given, but the specific details were left to the party leader.
Yet, Jeong Yeon-woo was asking for command from the very start.
If a party she had never heard of had said this, she would have ignored it regardless of their rank, but Haruka decided to trust him.
"Yes. Tenshin will operate under Black Unicorn. Please give us your instructions."
"Haruka!"
The other party members called out in surprise, but Haruka raised her hand to show it was fine and waited for Jeong Yeon-woo's transmission.
"Sharing information between Tenshin's situation room and Black Unicorn's situation room."
She heard the voice of the Black Unicorn operator she had heard in the videos.
"Situation room?"
Since information was being shared, the Tenshin situation room should have been relaying something, but when there was no communication for a while, Haruka contacted them first.
"Uh... wait a moment, there's just so much information..."
"For now, please only look at the satellite observation data. Just guide Tenshin along the route on the map."
The Black Unicorn operator explained for the flustered situation room.
She had been impressed while watching the conquest videos, but seeing them side-by-side like this, the difference in the situation rooms' capabilities was glaring.
While moving along the route provided by the situation room, she listened to the mission overview from Jeong Yeon-woo.
"Ignore the boss-class monsters heading north. With the help of the Navy, we're going to lure them toward the defense line the Chinese have so kindly set up."
Jeong Yeon-woo, who had prepared a gift for the Heroes who were playing it safe, continued.
"The Endline party from Korea is currently joining us. Tenshin will also join us to take down the boss-class monsters first."
"Wouldn't it be better for each party to take one?"
"No. If a Hero gets injured or dies, it will affect the rescue operation. We will take them down one by one, with certainty. And we'll do it without taking any damage."
The remaining boss-class monsters were two B-6s and one B-9.
A party leader who was only B-4 wasn't exactly in a position to speak so confidently, but there wasn't a hint of anxiety in Jeong Yeon-woo's voice.
'Wait... he's B-5 now...'
Black Unicorn had conquered B-4 dungeons nine times before the prohibition order was issued.
When they first arrived in Japan, they were B-1, but since their rank went up every time she woke up, it was getting confusing.
While moving along the route provided by the situation room, they didn't encounter any monsters, but as they got closer to Black Unicorn, the number of monsters visible in the distance increased.
"Look at that..."
Mei said, pointing to a pillar of blue light that Black Unicorn had clearly set up.
"They're luring the monsters."
The pillars of light, which had no function other than emitting mana, and the numerous drones visible everywhere were baiting the monsters.
The drones, moving like a choreographed dance, lured the monsters away and guided people to safety.
"How much manpower does it take to manage that many drones...?"
"The entire situation room staff at Square Garden must be involved."
Only Black Unicorn had come to Japan from Square Garden, but the entire clan was working to save Japan.
Haruka was deeply impressed by Square Garden's total commitment and Black Unicorn's method of using drones to save people as she ran.
Whenever they rescued citizens in danger, a drone would immediately fly down to guide them away, allowing the Tenshin party to focus on clearing monsters and moving on.
With the situation room being so proactive, the rescue work was much easier and more efficient.
Haruka's concept that only the party mattered once combat began was being shattered.
Thinking that not only the Japanese parties but also their situation rooms needed overall improvement, Haruka spotted the Black Unicorn party in the distance.
They had set up a pillar of blue light and were fighting off the endless swarm of monsters as if guarding it.
Despite being outnumbered, Black Unicorn didn't retreat an inch, taking down monsters as soon as they appeared. Watching them, Haruka leaped from a building rooftop and held her sword high.
"Sorano Ikari!"
Bright yellow lightning erupted from her raised sword, and Haruka plunged into the midst of the monsters, driving her blade into the ground.
CRACKLE!
Lightning surged in all directions, electrocuting the monsters and freezing them in their tracks.
"Hornet! Dive in!"
"I don't need you to tell me!"
Jeong Yeon-woo gave the order without hesitation, unfazed by Haruka's sudden appearance. Hornet stepped on the head of an electrocuted monster, leaped into the air, and began an aerial bombardment of the paralyzed creatures.
Compressed air, aimed precisely at their weak points, punched holes the size of fingers into the monsters, sending them crashing down.
Surprised by Hornet's high accuracy in taking down so many monsters at once, Haruka pulled her sword from the ground.
"This is Haruka, leader of Party Tenshin. We have joined you."
As she spoke, Jeong Sae-bom's Endline arrived from the distance.
"Sorry we're late."
They were also covered in monster blood, as if they had just come from a fierce battle.
Looking at the joined Endline and Tenshin parties, Jeong Yeon-woo nodded.
"Now that everyone is here, we will eliminate the boss-class monsters. The targets are Recara, Pelligis, and Helpard—three in total. Both Endline and Tenshin will operate under the command of Black Unicorn."
"Understood."
"Got it. Use us however you want."
When the two replied, Jeong Yeon-woo turned around.
"From this moment on, I am the party leader. No honorifics. I give all the orders."
"Yes, yes! I can do it!"
"Understood. And Ye-jin, don't use English, it's embarrassing."
"Let's go."
Seeing the members of Black Unicorn follow Jeong Yeon-woo so casually, Haruka stared at his back blankly.
What was it that made people follow him like this?
To call it innate leadership felt insufficient; the members' trust in him was too strong.
'Perhaps if I survive this battle, I'll find out too.'
Haruka steeled her resolve and followed behind Jeong Yeon-woo.