Beyond Elite Black Evil Earth Dragon (2)
Boom! Rat-a-tat-tat-tat!
The Empire's self-propelled artillery units were unleashing a barrage of shells toward the south side of the Great Wall.
A blanket bombardment, thick and relentless.
Regular monsters scattered in utter disarray, fleeing for their lives.
But the shelling was just a temporary measure—to buy time for the combat raid teams to regroup. Once an elite monster entered firing range, the barrage would halt.
The real fighting fell to the mana compatibles and awakeners under army command.
Only they could reliably hunt elite monsters.
Even the non-combat personnel, the regular soldiers, were run off their feet.
Setting up temporary camps, cooking and serving meals for the raid teams, sorting and distributing supplies... the list of menial tasks was endless.
And there weren't many regular soldiers mobilized to begin with.
Beijing outpost city, locked in a standoff with monsters across the single line of the Great Wall, was a high-risk zone. They had no choice but to limit the number of ordinary troops.
Only seasoned sergeants and above, handling ten men's workload with skeleton crews.
Their exhaustion was beyond words.
If even the awakeners and compatibles were drained from battle prep, how much worse for the civilians?
Beijing Great Wall Defense HQ was well aware of the issue.
Non-combat personnel were just as vital as frontline fighters.
They made smooth monster raids possible.
If you had to name the hardest non-combat role, it'd be the supply unit soldiers.
Offloading supplies from trains multiple times a day, checking quantities, distributing to the right spots.
Sergeant Major Seo Hyeong-sik of Army HQ Logistics had come to encourage them, visiting the supply unit headquarters.
A civilian who'd risen to Army HQ through sheer administrative brilliance.
This time, too, he was in charge of overall supply operations.
"Exterminate the demons!"
"Exterminate the demons!"
As Sergeant Major Seo appeared, the non-combat supply NCOs snapped to attention with salutes.
"What? You all look fresh as daisies? Not tired?"
"We're good, sir! Manageable."
"Hmm. I brought snacks and drinks to perk you up. Eat these and get back to it."
"...Ah."
"The best ones I've tried."
"Uh, th-thank you, sir."
Somehow, their faces were utterly unimpressed.
Sergeant Major Seo Hyeong-sik tilted his head.
'These guys look way too fine.'
He'd come prepared for reports of skipped meals and sleepless overnights, but not a trace of fatigue anywhere.
He felt it himself—lips cracked from sheer weariness.
Then,
'Hm?'
Bottles piled high on the desks.
'Energy drinks, huh.'
But unfamiliar ones.
Seo was practically an expert on vitality tonics.
His job demanded sampling nearly every kind.
He picked up an empty bottle and checked the label.
'...Taehong Vitality Surge?'
Taehong—the miracle drug makers of Taehong Recovery Potion?
"Where'd these come from?"
One NCO tentatively raised a hand.
"My brother's at Baekdu Bio Science pharma plant. He brought back a few cases."
"Baekdu? This is Taehong Bio product."
"Heard it's contract-manufactured. Supposedly amazing effects."
"Yeah? Gimme one. If it's good, I'll put in a purchase request."
"...W-well, uh, it hasn't gotten Food and Drug Admin sales approval yet."
Sergeant Major Seo's eyes sharpened.
"What? You idiots drank unapproved drinks? Safety not even guaranteed?"
"B-but my brother said even FDA folks drink one a day. No worries..."
"Still!"
But curiosity gnawed at him.
Taehong Bio product, no less.
"...Really that good?"
"Insane. Fatigue vanishes completely."
"Fine, I'll try one. Hand it over."
"Yes, sir. Here..."
Seo downed a bottle.
Some time passed.
Then he bolted to Wave Defense Central HQ, arms loaded with crates of Taehong Vitality Surge—one per arm.
Right in front of Joint Chiefs Chairman Kim Songgyeom and the top brass.
"This drink needs to hit shelves yesterday. Designate it military supply—we take priority."
He pushed hard.
The generals were baffled by the sudden fuss but each took a bottle from him anyway.
And, predictably, felt the effects vividly.
This stuff works.
Effective on awakeners, compatibles, civilians alike.
Huge boost to combat power.
Chairman Kim Songgyeom called the FDA director directly.
"Director, about that Taehong Bio drink that got approval. Yeah, Vitality Surge. How long till inspection clears...? What? Minimum two months by procedure?"
Two months.
Too long.
"What's your take? Safe for immediate release? ...Human trials wrapping up? No side effects?"
And there was more.
Taehong Bio had another approval pending.
"Fresh Flesh Growth trauma treatment? Effects? ...I see."
Mid-call, Chairman Kim had decided.
Taehong Bio Pharma.
Makers of the miracle Taehong Recovery Potion—antidote, mana restore, internal injury heal in one.
Their fatigue buster drink and instant hemostasis wound healer? Bound to deliver.
"Director, fast-track sales approval now. Ah, I know the rules. I'll get His Majesty's endorsement."
Chairman Kim called the Imperial Palace Secretariat next.
Close with Secretary Geum Suhu—calls him "senior" off-record.
Early FDA approval wasn't easy.
But plead Wave Defense urgency, maybe.
"Senior, please. Effects are unreal. FDA says no side effects."
- What drug? So many new ones in review.
"Ah! Forgot to say. Taehong Bio's Vitality Surge and Fresh Flesh Growth."
- ...Tch, knew it. I'll suggest to His Majesty for approval.
Chairman Kim was mildly surprised.
Expected pushback on the tall ask, but easy yes.
- Just place your order. Sorted today.
This fast?
And so, Taehong Vitality Surge and Fresh Flesh Growth got sales approval in a single day.
※ ※ ※
To reach Beijing, train was the way.
But direct Beijing lines were blocked by the Wave.
Closest city: Shengde.
Trains ran there.
Taeju, in simple training gear with backpack carrying Ilbaek, boarded the train to Shengde.
Tried leaving Ilbaek behind, but it refused to part.
No choice—bringing it.
"Meow?"
"Shh! Stay in the bag. No coming out."
"Meow."
From Gurye departure, he'd used Stationing Art and Bone Shortening Skill to alter face and height. Phone stowed in infinite storage.
Tight schedule.
Meet the Black Evil Earth Dragon quick, harvest poison, get back.
Ten hours later, Taeju arrived at Shengde Station.
Didn't disembark. Waited, then sneaked onto a military supply train to Beijing outpost.
BEM-C04 Black Evil Earth Dragon.
Researched it ahead.
Records from China's fall.
Mostly survivor testimonies.
This thing solo-wiped five PLA divisions.
Earth weapons? Useless.
Whip-like tongue lash—dozens of awakeners shredded.
Corrosive poison melted tanks, APCs like butter.
Turned a metropolis to uninhabited rubble in a month, then onto the next.
Chilling.
Even Master mana blades didn't work, they said.
Taeju wasn't confident either.
How to take it down?
But not hunting it.
Just harvest corrosive poison and bail.
First, Transparency Talisman to cross the heavily guarded Great Wall barrier.
One-hour duration—plenty of time.
Next, Tracking Talisman.
Pinpoints the dragon's location.
Approach, then Binding Talisman to halt movement, Wall Gecko Talisman to weaken it.
If it attacks?
Protective Talisman.
Sticks to body, blocks lethal hits, grants 30 seconds absolute protection.
Time enough for poison harvest.
Then Speed Talisman to bolt.
Ah.
How wise is Poison Immortal Dang Gunak.
Even a parallel self—respect surges.
Without his talismans, impossible.
Beyond elite monster's corrosive poison.
How much will the poison core grow?
Hunwon Musang Dokryeong Gong 9th stage in sight.
Supply train arrived at Beijing outpost station.
Taeju slapped on a Transparency Talisman.
Whoosh!
Vanished in a blink.
First time using it—flawless effect.
Taeju sped through the city, out beyond the Great Wall.
Boom! Rat-a-tat-tat-tat!
Kaboom! Kraka-boom!
Shelling still raging.
Dodge incoming shells by sense.
Taeju pulled out the Tracking Talisman.
Visualized the Black Evil Earth Dragon.
Fwoosh!
It ignited, soaring far into the sky.
Direction and distance etched in his mind.
'...Damn, it's a haul.'
Slap on Speed Talisman, then Pyoholjilpungbo.
Swoosh!
Taeju streaked south, leaving afterimages.
"Nyaah?"
Ilbaek—no, Sam-baek—from the backpack, startled by the speed, poked its head out.
"Stay put. Dangerous out here."
"Nyaaang!"
Swoooosh!
Vast plains teeming with monsters.
Scattered elite monsters.
Fleeing north, spooked by something.
Shh!
Transparency and Speed Talisman effects faded.
Monsters charged as Taeju reappeared.
Dodged effortlessly.
Ran for hours.
Over eight, nonstop.
Mouth thick with metallic tang.
Midway, another Speed Talisman.
'Getting back'll be rough.'
Monster packs thinned.
Further, none at all.
'Almost there...'
Then.
Thud-thud-thud-thud!
Earthquake rumble.
'That's the one.'
Jet-black body.
Bigger than any monster yet.
Beyond Elite Monster: Black Evil Earth Dragon.
Now, harvest the corrosive poison.
Finish quick, back to Gurye.
※ ※ ※
Celestial Realm.
Heaven's favor?
Winner: Geomseon.
"Whoa, heavier than expected."
Geomseon, flashy watch on left wrist, sleeves rolled to shoulders, strutted the Celestial Realm.
"Hey, Juseon! Curious what time it is?"
"...What use is time in the Celestial Realm."
"9:30. Haha!"
"..."
"Tick-tock, nice sound!"
"Piss off already?"
Juseon Ta Baek had bombed the lottery.
No booze, just popcorn, chocolate, instant coffee mix.
Couldn't stand Geomseon flaunting.
"Aw, next time. Here, 100 celestial coins—pull out some immortal brew. Drink and unwind."
"Peach Garden thief buying my liquor with stolen coins?"
"Stolen? Just borrowed."
"Planning to return 'em?"
"Eh, when time comes... Anyway, Jongri and Taktap are my accomplices."
Juseon shook his head at the leering Geomseon.
Taeshang Nogun oblivious, not hauling this guy off.
Poison Immortal Dang Gunak wasn't thrilled either.
Geomseon won the trade voucher.
The item swapped for his watch: Myeongni Bi Geom (Ten-Thousand-Li Flying Sword).
Flight sword covering 10,000 li—about 4,000 km—nonstop.
Great for travel, but sword performance top-tier too.
Supreme treasured sword, peerless famed blade.
But useless to Taeju.
To Dang Gunak too.
p>Swords? What for?
Never learned swordsmanship.
He despised those swaggering about swords as cure-all, calling hidden arts cowardly.
Taeju no different.
'Tch, he won't like this.'
Then.
Zing!
Mind hummed.
'Oh!'
Shared warehouse opened.
Dang Gunak hurriedly transferred goods.
Tons of stuff.
Warehouse growing steadily.
Filled empty spots with celestial coins.
100 easy.
More coins, the better.
Peaches boost celestial qi, expand Taeju's infinite storage too.
Next item...
'Only this, huh.'
Reluctantly, Dang Gunak stowed the Myeongni Bi Geom.
Sorry to Taeju.
Sending a useless sword scrap to the Absolute Poison Demon.
'Well, he'll figure it out.'
At least travel easier.
Fast as Earth's planes.
Meanwhile, Moon Palace fairy still spying from afar with Thousand-Li Ear and Eye Arts, eavesdropping Celestial Realm happenings.
Overheard Geomseon and Juseon.
Peach Garden thief?
'Geomseon, you bastard...'
Finally pieced it together.
Why Peach Garden Zones 1 and 2's coins vanished.