Chapter 166
Chapter 166
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 166
Chapter Title: The Siege of Gangnam
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I finally set foot once more on Korea's beloved soil, which I hadn't visited in ages.
Along with the corpses, that is.
"Corpse buddies, the place you're in right now is Gangnam. Its specialty? Real estate."
It's famous for prices that draw gasps of admiration.
"There are plenty of folks who drink in Gangnam at night, then trudge through Apgujeong-dong lamenting their lives."
Something like, even if I died and came back five times, I'd never afford a place like that.
For the record, that's my story. It was before I crossed over to another world... but house prices around here probably haven't changed much even now.
"What can you do? Specialties are always expensive by nature, right?"
Just think of things like Mount Mudeung watermelons or Yangyang pine mushrooms. As I was talking, there was a sudden shring as a sword was drawn.
"Die."
"This bastard's got no filter with the guide."
Time to wrap up the jokes meant to steady my nerves. Now it's time to fight like hell.
"No time."
This guide has a group tour coming in an hour. Sightseeing's over—now get the hell out to the afterlife.
There are sayings like one against a hundred or one against a thousand, but who knew I'd end up in a ridiculous spot facing ten thousand monsters solo? On top of that, my body still isn't fully recovered.
I swung my spear, piercing the head of a charging corpse, then kicked it flying.
Sleety slush began falling from the sky. Cold, sticky sleet soaked my body.
"Talk about killer atmosphere."
And it'll kill me too. I need to make the most of my few advantages. That's the only way to keep this fight going.
Unlike me, the teleported monsters can't leave the Erosion Zone formed around this area, whether they like it or not.
Meaning their movement radius is restricted. In a situation like this, the more traps I can lay within their range, the better.
"Luckily, I've got plenty of skills to lay down."
Paradox Flame blazed across the Erosion Zone like wildfire. At the same time, the blue trails from my spear swings wove a clever, dense web in the air.
The crown shone, weakening them.
"Even with this damn thing trembling."
Paradox Flame aside, the blue trails I'd laid in the Erosion Zone could easily be shattered by the skill of the soldiers making up the Undying Legion. Still, I had to diligently keep setting more.
The monsters kept enduring even as they burned in the Paradox Flame. I could weaken them, but at this rate, it was impossible to shatter them all with just Paradox Flame in an hour.
In the end, I had to fight directly.
"One by one."
One by one, one by one, I kept swinging my spear, smashing enemies. That was the only thing to focus on right now. No need to think about anything else. Just swing the spear at the cold weapons flashing before my eyes.
Magic poured toward me. I dodged what I could, took what I couldn't.
I kept fighting. The endless battle felt eternal. I had to rely on my one advantage: mana that didn't deplete.
Paradox Flame was burning away the Undying Legion's grudges to weaken them. Any fatigue or pain from accumulating wounds from now on? Just endure it.
An evacuation order had already been issued across Gangnam. Most people had fled, but as always, there were those who swarmed toward the danger zone like wasps spotting a honeycomb.
The media.
Broadcasters and reporters headed to evacuated Gangnam for coverage.
— It's been eight years since an evacuation order hit the Korean mainland—Seoul, the heart of it all.
— An Erosion Zone has been confirmed at the International Trade Hub in Gangnam.
— This is the first Erosion Zone without an Erosion Core.
Dispatched reporters rode helicopters or boldly advanced near the International Trade Hub to film.
— Black flames are rising. It's the signature ability of Hunter Yoo Chan-seok.
— The government isn't releasing info on the situation, but we don't see any other hunters' signature abilities in use.
The area around the International Trade Hub was engulfed in pitch-black flames, with countless blue trails forming and shattering in the air.
— Estimates put the number of monsters appearing near the hub at around ten thousand.
— The battle continues...
As the reporters' coverage went on, a sound like the sky tearing open rang out, splitting the heavens and creating a black hole above the International Trade Hub.
Cameras captured monsters pouring from the rift.
— This is... repeating: Citizens of Seoul, please evacuate as directed. Here's shelter guidance.
— The government is considering declaring martial law.
Everyone knew the world beyond Korea was dangerous. Plenty still remembered the horrors from the first Erosion Zones.
But that was ages ago. Time had dulled memories to vague warnings.
It had been far too long since such a vivid threat struck Korea. People trembled, glued to broadcasts and radio. In other words, everyone was watching Yoo Chan-seok's fight.
— Filming from afar, but Hunter Yoo Chan-seok doesn't look good.
Anyone could see it. His body was covered in wounds. Under the sleet from the sky, blood flowed from his tattered clothes.
He didn't look like he could hold out.
— With most of Korea's capable hunters mobilized to China, Yoo Chan-seok seems to be the only one blocking the sudden monster outbreak in Gangnam.
Various experts' opinions followed.
— Can't confirm from this distance, but the monsters' threat level is extremely high. With their numbers... if Yoo Chan-seok can't hold them, the entire Gyeonggi Province is at risk.
— More monsters just appeared. Does that mean the whole peninsula could be in danger?
— ...Over fifty thousand would be dangerous. Korea's remaining hunters can't stop that many high-level monsters.
Gloomy predictions repeated. Seoul's roads ground to a halt, evacuees panicked. TV briefly showed people sweeping convenience stores and department stores for food.
But those scenes vanished quickly. The Korean government sent guidelines to networks: no overly stimulating footage.
Guidelines? Warnings. Don't air useless panic porn unless you want trouble.
President Jo Won-hoon watched from his bunker too.
"Mr. President, what about Yoo Chan-seok?"
Jo fiddled with his cup before replying.
"What do you mean 'what'? In this situation? Leave him be."
Evacuation was already ordered in Seoul; Gyeonggi residents packed just in case. Seoulites were fleeing fine, but others locust-swarmed essentials.
Everyone knew it was serious. Telling media to stop airing Yoo's fight was pointless now.
"If we let this slide, even after it's over, Yoo Chan-seok will be uncontrollable when he returns."
No options. Did Yoo make Gonzalo attack Korea? Media plays like that wouldn't stick. Hunters in China were frothing to smash Shijiazhuang's massive structures.
They'd testify on return: those weren't months-old builds. Proving Gonzalo's raid wasn't Yoo's fault.
"Can't undermine him with public opinion."
Strength gripped Jo's cup hand.
He knew that bastard raided the Playa Chip Hotel's backroom deal. Needed handling before it blew up.
Problem: as Korea's leader, most tools were sealed by this mess.
Korea's government options for Yoo now? Only shadow ops.
"Unless Yoo fails..."
Jo hurled his cup at the reporting man.
"You lunatic! If Yoo fails now, we're all done!"
Not just Seoul—everything gone. Major General Woo Il-seop reported massive Undying Legion in Shijiazhuang for teleports.
If they all swarmed Korea, no stopping them, dead or alive. Dangun's heirs were in Manchuria. Needed time to return, and couldn't expose them publicly.
"Plans we had are bust. Remake them. For now, pray."
Yoo had to hold. Later, dig dirt, find a sex tape for blackmail... whatever, later.
"Fourth teleport. As Zhonghan Army Command reported: every hour, about ten thousand Undying Legion teleporting."
"So, how many left alive?"
Report came.
"Holding around fifteen thousand. That bastard's somehow enduring."
"Shijiazhuang?"
"Reinforcements need more time. Good news: hunters leading advances rushed to join."
Jo pondered.
"They can teleport to Korea via the tower too."
Immediate negative.
"Gonzalo prepped against it."
First time worked 'cause no one expected teleporting with enemies. Gonzalo wouldn't take it twice.
"Tell them to hurry the assault. We have to stop it, and I don't want Yoo hero-worshipped any longer."
Delay longer, Korea risks more.
And longer Shijiazhuang delay, more spotlight on Yoo.
"Shijiazhuang hunters are giving it all. But minimum 6-8 more hours."
Meaning Yoo solo-blocks at least another hundred thousand Undying Legion.
Possible? And if he succeeds, what position does Yoo claim in Korea?
Jo's head throbbed. Rubbing his temples, he muttered.
"Fuck, at this point, maybe switch to appeasement..."
In conclusion, President Jo Won-hoon now considered scrapping all prior plans entirely.