episode_0037

By the time I returned to the safe zone and found GDO’s conference room, it was already well past evening.

Feeling the excitement of battle still tickling my body, I walked towards the entrance of the conference room.

Before I returned to the shelter and rested for a while due to fatigue, much more time had passed than I thought.

As soon as I arrived, I couldn’t even take off my clothes and lay down on the bed, so my clothes were wrinkled and a mess.

As if an evil boss was glaring at them from behind, the employees at the shelter were all running around as if their feet were on fire.

It seemed like I was the only person walking slowly.

When I looked inside the conference room, the conversation was in full swing. Inside, what seemed like dozens of people were sitting around a huge table, and there were several monitors in front of them.

Inside the monitor, people with different faces were speaking rapidly.

It’s a video conference. In general, the people inside the monitor were raising their voices loudly, and the people inside the conference room were just sighing.

The monitors turned on in a circle in a dark room reminded me of Nam June Paik’s “the more the better”.

However, the atmosphere that spread in the room was not simply the solemn atmosphere of viewing a work of art.

“Are you saying that the operation failed and we lost two elite divisions?”

“Damn it! That’s why we didn’t say we should strike first!”

Although information is not available to the general public due to information control, it is true that the operation failed, and it is also true that great sacrifices were made.

A general belonging to the organization, wearing a bunch of rank insignia, is sweating profusely.

“I understand your concerns and it is true that you have suffered a great loss. However, due to Plan

“But we had to find Suez. Nowadays, people’s anxiety is worsening. Vibrations and videos from the nuclear bombing are continuing to spread on social media!”

“The intelligence department is trying to control nearly 20 teams, but even this is now at its limit! Some citizens are already protesting in front of the Presidential Palace, demanding that the truth be revealed!”

The general, who had been listening to criticism, not criticism, from the leaders of each country with a stern face, opened his mouth.

“The area around Port Said is small, so advancement from this area will be blocked. First of all, monsters cannot come out to the sea, so if you just block this part, there will be no problem. There will be nothing for you to worry about.”

“What a ridiculous thing to say!”

“… .”

The GDO general said nothing and just held the cooling teacup in one hand. At first glance, it seemed like he was savoring the scent of tea, but seeing that his hands hidden under the table were shaking, it seemed like he was trying desperately to control his expression.

He knows it too. That his words border on sophistry. Although I deliberately narrowed the scope to the area around Suez, North Africa is also close to destruction.

Libya and Tunisia disappeared some time ago, and Morocco will not last long either. Europe is now just beyond the Mediterranean Sea.

Although they are blocked by the sea, their anxiety is bound to overflow as the Mediterranean Sea is only a short distance away. In addition, isn’t Europe the home of the circular bridge, which has suffered great damage?

“Damn it! So, Operation Harmageddon should have been carried out in the first place! The result is this situation now!”

“The reason why Operation Harmageddon was rejected when it was drafted was because more than half of you disagreed. There is no point in bringing it up again now, President.”

The general answered with a stern face.

Operation Harmageddon. It was a terrifying operation proposed when most countries in Africa had fallen to monsters, and the plan was to wipe out the entire African continent with an extremely large number of nuclear weapons.

However, it was not implemented, because the aftereffects of thousands of nuclear weapons were a problem, it was politically delicate, and above all, the biggest reason was that countries did not have the ability to pay attention to distant continents due to the damage from the Gate incident.

But it’s something I can’t even try anymore. This was because the area occupied by monsters was covered with a very thick dark fog.

This fog blocks satellite images and makes internal conditions unknown, such as electronic devices malfunctioning.

“Is there any progress in eliminating dark fog?”

“Unfortunately not yet. When an ordinary person who cannot use magical power touches the fog, rapid necrosis of skin tissue occurs, and even if they wear protective gear, if they are inside for more than 10 minutes, their lives are at risk, so there is no significant progress. For now, the only way is to destroy the dimensional anchors they create.”

“Oh my… .”

Once it was confirmed that humans had a certain level of power, the monsters’ strategies were changing significantly. These monsters plant what are called dimensional anchors in occupied areas.

This anchor acts as a kind of gate connecting the abyss and reality and transforms the surrounding environment into a demon world.

The land covered in fog is rotting black, and animals and plants are influenced by demonic energy and turn into demons, crying out in strange voices.

This is a situation where there is no overall answer.

After listening to their conversation outside the door, I led myself into the conference room.

When the leaders of each country saw me, they forced a smile and straightened their postures.

“Hello, Northmund.”

“Are you here? Yes, please sit comfortably.”

Briefly say hello to me. Looking at their expressions, it seemed like everyone had a lot of things they wanted to ask me, but no one seemed to be the first to ask.

But the silence could not last forever, so the U.S. president spoke first.

“Yes. Mr. Northmund, I would like to ask you something. Could you please tell me how long it will take for a functioning psyker to appear in Ellada?”

I raised my eyes and looked at them beyond the monitor. I’m sure you’ve told that story before.

When I looked at his arm on the table, I saw that his hands were wrinkled, as if to prove the years he had lived.

is it. I guess you are repeating your words of urging.

“I would have said before that it would take a year to develop proper combat capabilities. But since the situation is urgent right now, I will try to make it within half a year as much as possible. No, I will definitely make it.”

“Oh! I see.”

“I may behave so harshly that my personality will be ruined, but given the circumstances, I have no choice.”

My exhaled breath was hot. I smiled bitterly as I looked at them in commotion.

General Paras, sitting across from me, received my words.

“Don’t worry. We will prevent demons from advancing beyond Sinai. They will never make it beyond Africa. Because monsters cannot cross water.”

what. Plan X will be activated more often than now. The leaders of each country look perplexed at the sight of him forcing a chuckle.

However, they could not come up with any specific measures, perhaps because they knew that was the only way to deal with the current situation.

After that, the fruitless conversation continued for a long time and the meeting ended late at night.

For now, the large army of monsters may be able to be stopped to some extent with a nuclear attack, but the monsters will someday find another way.

Until then, I’ll have to find a way too.

“Now that I think about it, the exam is about to start on the other side of the world.”

As I was heading to my bedroom to get some sleep, I turned around and headed towards the teleportation magic circle to Ellada.

*

“I see. Okay.”

“Okay, let me do you a favor.”

I explained the situation to the instructor and asked for his understanding.

Currently I was located in Ellada’s gym. Instead of my usual appearance as a principal, I was polymorphed into an instructor from Elada wearing a red hat.

I was thinking of observing their test as a principal, but since the test method had changed to grading by an instructor, I changed into an instructor.

If I had known that I would have time to observe the midterm exam, I would have not changed the test method.

But in a way, it was a good thing since I was very tired because I hadn’t slept properly for three days. Because there is no longer the burden of being a director.

“Everyone, do your best!”

“Yes, Gray!”

“I will definitely get good grades! I will show you the power of someone with body strengthening skills!”

“Fighting!”

Gideon’s faction seemed to have become even closer together. The ability to lead people like that is also an innate talent.

Additionally, I think my physical strength abilities would be a bit more advantageous in this evaluation. First of all, it is a sparring that uses the body.

“Woman. Let’s do our best! Let’s eat up all the top rankings!”

“Ramirez! Fighting!”

“Roast it all, boss!”

The Jimmy Ramirez guys also seem to be quite excited. Personally, I think Jimmy will be penalized a bit harshly in this evaluation.

“You cannot use life-threatening attacks. Due to the rule “, the basic ability itself is very disadvantageous to flame-based abilities that are fatal to the opponent.

what… That guy must have prepared some preparations for that too.

Li Jiyuan seems to be having a conversation with his team from afar. My head automatically nodded as I looked at the uniquely exaggerated Chinese gesture of raising a fist.

It was a scene that came to mind from the OST of a certain classic Chinese martial arts movie, Namja Tangjiagang.

And the team of Jang Ah-hyun that I’m paying the most attention to is… .

“Cheer up. Everyone can do it. They are elites that I selected after careful consideration.”

“Gi… I’m nervous.”

“It feels like before a concert. Umm. I think your condition is okay today? I won’t lose to anyone.”

“… .”

“… Let’s do our best, everyone.”

Jang A-hyeon tries to raise the mood within the team, and Han Se-jun makes a decision with a completely nervous expression. He is also biting his fingernails.

Now that I think about it, Han Sejun’s opponent is Li Li Yuan, and I don’t know if he can do well. That guy’s special ability, Yong Josu, has a perfect balance between offense and defense.

However, since the evaluation criteria is not based on the concept of duel, you can get a high score just by avoiding or coping well to a certain extent, so you must have prepared well.

When the clock in the gym showed 9 o’clock sharp, I went to the center and opened my mouth.

“Now, let’s start the midterm exam for Talent Development Studies.”

I looked at them nervously through the brim of the red cap that blocked my view and opened my mouth.