Chapter 44
Chapter 44
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Demons Targeting Earth Through Possession
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Ah, to think that guy was a magic type, not a warrior type!”
“What are you talking about?”
A Latin beauty with tanned, healthy skin.
Her face uncovered, she asked with sparkling eyes.
After dealing with the demons, Geon-woo and Pang had left the Yultren ruins, returned to Zaiken, and logged out at the sanctuary.
Back on Earth, Pang had immediately headed to the island owned by Geon-woo.
Ark Capsule in tow.
Ever since arriving on the island, she’d been living with her face uncovered.
“That Balam tribe lord.”
“You mean that pathetic guy?”
Pang snorted at Geon-woo’s words.
It was understandable—she’d beaten that lord into a bloody pulp.
“I never imagined a ugly bastard like him would be a mage, and a buffer type at that.”
“But you said he’d be useful, right? When he went all out with his abilities, even the jiangshi took some damage.”
“They got scratched up a bit, and a few broke, but it wasn’t major damage.”
“Yeah, that level recovers quickly anyway. The buff effect was decent, at least. His direct combat skills were so-so.”
Pang recalled her fight with the Balam lord and downplayed his abilities.
But the lord’s combat prowess wasn’t actually that weak.
It had just been a one-sided beatdown thanks to the exceptional defense of the Yultren armor Pang wore.
“Hmm. I was thinking of finding some way to use him, but turns out it’s a bloodline ability after all.”
Geon-woo let it slide since Pang had won anyway.
He just made a bitter face upon learning that while converting the lord into a jiangshi spirit.
“Bloodline?”
“It maximizes effects on his own blood kin.”
“Oh, so he’s useless unless it’s his blood-connected clan?”
“Yeah. I’ve been tinkering around with it, but no results.”
“That’s a shame.”
“Anyway, what about your outing?”
“Oh, those losers?”
Pang smirked at Geon-woo’s question.
The situation with Cheonsuwan and the 1st Expedition Team had turned entertaining.
“Doesn’t look good for them, huh?”
“Arthur and Alphonse secured new capsules as expected. Nothing surprising there.”
“And?”
“There’s serious friction among the five now. The Easter egg cost them big time.”
“They invested heavily, I take it?”
“Yeah. They got massive backing to snag items from Onworld natives.”
“And it all went poof. Plus, the ones who died in there couldn’t even recover their gear.”
“Exactly. Now they’re all finger-pointing and blaming each other. Hell, even the governments of China, Russia, and France are getting involved.”
“So Cheonsuwan, Ivan, and Alphonse are tight with their governments, huh?”
“That’s the gist.”
“What’s your plan? Finish them off?”
If Pang decided to move, it’d spark a massive war.
With her 50,000 souls avatar targeting Cheonsuwan and the rest, it wouldn’t end easily.
“Gather intel whenever I can. Then strike all at once!”
Pang formed a hand blade and playfully jabbed at Geon-woo’s lower abdomen.
“So not rushing in right away?”
“Nope. But we gotta spread some rumors. Everyone knows about Arthur and Alphonse, but hardly anyone knows what went down in Onworld.”
“Yeah, that’s necessary. Letting them know you screwed them over keeps you from getting dismissed.”
Geon-woo nodded.
It was standard in the underworld where mercenaries, spies, and killers operated.
“But your name’ll come up too. You okay with that?”
“My name?”
“Hard to claim I did it solo. You said you’d warn them anyway.”
“Yeah. Whatever.”
“Thanks.”
“Huh?”
“One and done! I don’t repeat myself.”
“Haha.”
A sincere thank-you and Pang’s bashful expression.
Geon-woo could only laugh at the unfamiliar sight.
* * *
“Found them?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“But I’m not sure we can call this good news.”
The subordinate handed over a summarized report.
“Better than not finding them, right?”
“That’s true, but...”
“It’s definitely a problem.”
Unlike his optimistic words, Baylor frowned as he read the report.
It detailed the demons who had crossed over to Earth.
Their invasion method was completely different from Onworld.
“Ugh. Possession confirmed, huh.”
Baylor groaned and tossed the papers onto his desk.
He leaned back on the sofa, rubbing his forehead.
“Users with 400 million concurrent logins, reserves, even normals without capsules—possession is happening randomly across the board.”
“No way to detect it yet?”
“No.”
“Three types of possession?”
“Yes, we’ve classified them that way for now. The first is the delusional type, where the original human mind mixes with the demon’s, causing confusion.”
“The ones who go berserk, insane?”
“Yes. They lose reason and rampage wildly—a severe manic state.”
“Got it. Next?”
“The split type. Human and demon minds share control of the body.”
“You said those would be easier to spot? If they realize they’re possessed, they’d turn themselves in...”
“We hoped so, but results are the opposite. Most hide it thoroughly.”
Baylor had expected positives, but his subordinate’s answer dashed that.
On second thought, it made sense.
He had to concede the point.
“Well, if half your mind’s already demon-overrun, surrendering’s tough. Could get killed outright, detained at best. Or dragged to a lab for experiments.”
“Exactly. That fear keeps split types from coming forward.”
“Then the third is obviously...”
“Full possession type.”
“Demon completely dominates the host’s mind?”
“Yes.”
“Any samples?”
“Captured one a few days ago.”
“How’d you confirm it was demon-possessed?”
“No matter the type, when they sense life-threatening danger, demon physical traits emerge. Eye changes are especially obvious.”
“Eyes?”
“Yes. Not human—more like bugs or insects.”
“I see. But that doesn’t show easily, right?”
“No.”
“Sigh.”
Baylor let out a deep sigh.
The investigation showed the demon invasion had started subtly from the moment of 400 million concurrents.
Its possession form had kept it hidden from the public until now.
Neuron Age had suspected as soon as the first delusional cases appeared.
The report was the cumulative findings since then.
“So, how’s that full possession suspect? No trace of the human mind left?”
“We’ve tried interrogations, brainwashing, everything—no results yet.”
“Headache.”
Baylor grimaced, rubbing his forehead again.
“Um, some researchers have an even worse hypothesis.”
The subordinate cautiously continued, gauging Baylor’s mood.
“Worse?”
Baylor sat up straight.
“Yes. Even killing possessed bodies might not harm the demons.”
“Huh?”
“If it’s like us using avatars on Onworld...”
“Ugh. Maddening.”
If demons were immortal on Earth like players on Onworld?
Baylor shuddered at the horrific implication.
“Still no progress on detection methods?”
He had to find a solution somehow.
Knowing that, Baylor pressed his subordinate.
“Sorry. We’re trying every angle, but it’s soul-related...”
The subordinate bowed his head.
“Sigh. This is insane.”
“But Guardians are active everywhere, minimizing demon damage.”
“Instead, people treat all 400 million Awakeners as potential criminals. Demon fights get labeled as player squabbles.”
“That’s why many say it’s time to go public on possessions.”
“Chaos from hiding or revealing—about equal now. Prep for announcement.”
“Understood.”
“And.”
“Yes, Director Baylor.”
“Director Kang Geon-woo.”
“Yes?”
“He’s got some special ability we haven’t figured out, right?”
“Zaiken Easter egg makes it highly likely—near certain now.”
“Yeah. Demons were in that one too. 1st Expedition Team got wrecked by them, but Kang and Pang came out on top.”
“Yes, so we’re ramping up intel on them.”
“Good. Keep that up, but set up a meeting with me.”
“You’ll meet Director Kang personally?”
“Have to. We need every cat’s paw right now. Even if it’s a tiger like Kang.”
“Got it. I’ll arrange.”
“Off the record.”
“Yes. Then.”
The subordinate memorized the orders and left.
Alone, Baylor pulled a cigar from his drawer, clipped the end, and sighed deeply.
Click!
“Cancer’s spreading. Demons in the giant body of Earth’s humanity... Hoo.”
* * *
“Pang, Ilryeong!”
“You called?”
“What is it, sir?”
Pang and Ilryeong turned from the dining table at Geon-woo’s call.
After returning to Earth, Ilryeong had used the proliferating metal from Yultren to finalize her body reshaping, emerging as Geon-woo’s aide.
Since then, she and Pang had lived on the island together, building a rapport.
“Got a message from Neuron Age.”
Geon-woo said as he sat in an empty seat at the table.
“Message? About what?”
“Demons.”
“Demons?”
“Sir Geon-woo, you don’t mean the ones who’ve entered Earth?”
“Yeah, Ilryeong.”
“What? Demons on Earth?”
Unlike Ilryeong, Pang yelped in shock.
No signs until now.
“They’re possessing human bodies. Just the spirits crossing over.”
“Spirit possession?”
“That explains why no demon traces until now.”
“They say demon traits show when possessed feel life threats, but Neuron Age covered it up as player fights.”
“So some of those weird player clashes were actually demon purges.”
“Probably.”
Occasionally, inexplicable user conflicts popped up.
Even between similar types with no reason to clash, they’d fight fiercely.
If those were demon takedowns, it fit.
“They’re organizing too?”
Pang eyed Geon-woo.
“Seems they have communication methods. Forming small groups.”
“Small?”
“Likely competing by race. No large groups yet, they say. Not certain, though.”
“So what does Neuron Age want from you, sir?”
Ilryeong probed their intent.
“Help if I can.”
“Like what?”
“No idea. That’s why I’m heading out.”
“Huh? Where?”
“Where else? To snag a sample.”
“Sample?”
Ilryeong blinked blankly at Pang’s words.
Then she grinned, understanding.
“You mean capture a possessed demon? Gotta see it firsthand to analyze.”
“Yeah. Like all jobs, mercs need intel first. Knowing vs. blind—worlds apart.”
Pang stood from the table.
“Huh? What, coming along?”
Geon-woo asked.
“Along? Nah, each grabs their own. Alive, obviously. Loser plays servant for a day?”
“Another dumb bet.”
“So you chicken?”
“No way. I’ll win, so let’s do it. Call!”
Geon-woo stood, fist out; Pang bumped hers against it.
Ilryeong sighed faintly at the pair.
“I’ve got work, so you two handle it.”
She smoothly opted out of their bet.