episode_0045

Current time. The hallway in front of the teleportation room on Ellada’s first basement floor was crowded with heavily armed people.

Teleport room. It is a device that can quickly transport Ellada’s combatants around the world, and it is also a device that can only be used by magic users to awaken superpowers.

At first, it attracted the attention of many countries because it could quickly teleport to points around the world, but since only magic users could pass through it, most people had already given up on using it—of course, it is still being studied today— Are you obsessed with recruiting people with special abilities?

Inside the teleportation room, I, who was adjusting the magic circle, was chatting with Deokjae Lee, who was assisting next to me.

“… So, does that mean there are already a lot of reporters and cameras in the area?”

“That’s right. Governments in each country are working hard to change public opinion.”

Half a day ago, a scandal broke out in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. It is said that Georgian soldiers and GDO troops stationed in the capital fought a great battle, but were unfortunately defeated and retreated.

So the sortie area was suddenly changed from the target of San Gabriel, a small city in Ecuador, to Tbilisi.

Actually, it was a bit unsettling.

San Gabriel was in a situation where GDO had guided the situation and set the stage. The plan was to evacuate the residents in advance, drive the captured low-level monsters into the area, and make it the first battle area for the Ellada fighters.

Unfortunately, the gate suddenly opened in Georgia and the goal changed. I can’t send my students to Ecuador and go to Georgia alone. You never know what kind of disaster might happen.

“I’m a little worried. Of course, Mr. Northmund will do his best to protect the students, but the location changes so suddenly.”

“Hmm.”

Helen’s words of warning me that it was dangerous suddenly appeared in my mind. Of course, it wasn’t me who wasn’t anxious.

Since the operation was approved because it was judged to be sufficiently safe after receiving an explanation about the mat laid by GDO, it is impossible not to be anxious about the current situation, which has rapidly changed.

While I was shaking my head to erase the thoughts in my mind, when the teleportation coordinates connection with the basement of the Tbilisi Marriott Hotel in Georgia was completed and the brightly shining magic circle stabilized, I slowly closed my eyes and listened.

I could hear the guys talking in the waiting room outside that door. Everyone seemed to be extremely excited about going into their first battle, and loud breathing and swallowing sounds could be heard.

“And it is also strange that the monsters in Africa have become quiet these days.”

“That is also true. I heard that movement has decreased noticeably about 10 days ago.”

Currently, the ground in the Middle East is melting due to high heat and radiation. As a result of the constant nuclear attacks against the demonic legions, the Middle East became a devastated hell, lumped with craters at the center of the explosion and covered in radioactivity.

It used to be a desolate place with sandstorms blowing, but now it has turned into a deadly deathland with a storm of radioactivity mixed with sand.

GDO classified the area as an uninhabitable red zone, and most personnel, except for some agency personnel, retreated.

There were many refugees who lost their nationality, and the information was constantly spreading on social media, so it was no longer possible to block the information.

That’s why Ellada’s sortie was the final card to calm public opinion. If things continued like this, riots would soon break out all over the world and the country would be turned upside down.

“I think the monsters are plotting something. I’m worried that the gate may be part of their changed strategy.”

“… .”

The monsters became quiet for a while, perhaps realizing that it would be difficult to lead a large army out of Africa due to the continued nuclear bombing.

It was a time of silence, as if we were in the eye of a storm, full of tension that threatened to explode at any moment.

They will constantly find different ways to conquer this world. It would definitely not be an attempt to simply drive a stake into the occupied territory just because the advance was blocked.

“Let’s begin. Let the personnel in.”

As I gesture, Deokjae Lee heads towards the door with a stern expression on his face.

okay. For now, this comes first. It is not too late to worry about that matter after solving the problem that confronts us now. Because now we have to go and recapture the capital of a country.

In general, the most elite soldiers are stationed in the capital of a country, so if the capital is lost, the country can be considered to gradually collapse.

Therefore, it is a goal that must be recaptured.

With the sound of the door opening, stern-faced students enter. Each of them held their main weapons in their hands.

And the people were standing in four rows in teams, and the guys at the front of each row were as expected.

Gideon, Jimmy, Li Jiyuan and Jang Ahyeon.

After looking around at them for a moment, I opened my mouth in a quiet but firm voice so that everyone could clearly hear.

“This is my first appearance. Today is a historic day and it is also the day you make your mark on the world. In recent years, the results of your blood, sweat, and tears are bearing fruit today. This Ellada was built because countless nameless warriors died to stop the monsters, so you must remember their sacrifice and dedication. And in return for that dedication, the fighting spirit you will perform today will also be remembered by all mankind. Swords and shields of humanity, let us begin our duties today. Everyone is ready to go!”

“Wow!!!”

“Let’s go!! Let’s go!!!!”

The basement was so heated that it felt like it was going to explode with cheers. The heat they gave off made the room hot, and the glass bottles decorated on the walls rang with their loud shouts.

Meanwhile, loud applause echoes from the hallway. The remaining people who were not included in the battle had gathered here to see them off.

“Hyung! Fight well! I’ll wait!”

“You’ll be a hero when you come, Bill! damn! I also want to join the fighting member quickly!”

“Damn it! Don’t go too far alone! Soon I will be rubbing shoulders with you!”

The sight naturally brought a smile to my face.

Since I am currently in the form of a dragon, it may not be noticeable on the outside, but it was a quite satisfying sight. It is very desirable to keep morale high before heading out.

They will gradually become dull as time passes, but even in the distant future, thinking about the day of your first competition will be a good memory. Because everyone here will never forget what happened today.

When I looked at the leaders, the reactions were different.

Gideon stood like a statue of a warrior with a solemn expression, holding a greatsword in both hands and the scabbard planted on the ground, but the corners of his mouth were trembling, as if he could not hide his overwhelming emotions.

Jimmy was waving his hand openly and posing as if he was about to open a bottle of whiskey, and Li Jiyuan was nodding. Jang Ah-hyeon had a solemn expression. Perhaps he was thinking about the battle ahead.

“Then take turns standing on the magic circle. If all 50 people enter, it will be a bit narrow, so you will have to stand tightly.”

I looked at Deokjae Lee and nodded, and as he caught my gaze, he led the people one by one.

Following the lead, the students begin to climb up the magic circle that emits soft light. There was also a guy who stared at the magic circle, which gave off a dreamy glow like a mood light, as if it was fascinating, and then stabbed it with a sword sheath.

Suddenly, I saw someone walking towards the door. It was a step that was correct and neat, but somehow lacked strength and made me feel like a stumbling zombie.

Seeing her look like she was about to collapse, I whispered softly to her.

“Helen Burns. It seems like you too are happy on a historic day like today. It looks like it will fly away if you touch it.”

“… Dean, I guess this is.”

“Stop. The situation has come to this, so don’t break the mood anymore.”

At my dismissal, she swallowed her words and bit her lip. After looking at me resentfully for a moment, she slowly turned around and looked at her students.

Jang Ah-hyeon, who was standing in the far left row, was seen bowing her head in greeting.

She came to the principal’s office with a flushed face this morning after hearing that the competition area had suddenly changed from San Gabriel to Tbilisi.

Although I sent it back safely, I couldn’t help but feel a little bitter.

If so, my role will be important. Because I don’t want to see her throwing an expensive teacup at me and crying.

I walked up to her, who had her back to me, and gave her a small pat on the shoulder, then walked over to the magic circle and stood.

“Mass teleport starting. 10 seconds before activation, 9, 8, 7… ”

After briefly looking at Deokjae Lee, who was standing on the dashboard and counting down, I shifted my gaze towards the entrance.

Many students are cheering for this team. Among them, I noticed a certain gaze.

Two eyes with vertically slit pupils were looking at me and smiling. I nodded slightly as I watched her wearing a thin knit turtleneck shirt waving at me.

“… 3, 2, 1, teleport activated!”

The moment the countdown ended, bright light filled the room and the space changed in an instant.

─Boom!

─Ugh!

─Hundreds of millions!

A considerable number of students were left in a circle. Normally, when teleporting, the teleport is approximately 4 to 50 cm above the ground, taking into account a slight coordinate error.

Therefore, although the combat personnel were trained to teleport for about three days, there were quite a few who were struggling as if they had not yet adapted properly.

“Ah, that’s stupid. I’ve been trained like that, but I still haven’t gotten used to it.”

“Sin… Sorry, Brother Ramirez.”

As Jimmy touched his chin with a pitiful expression, his subordinates urgently apologized.

After hearing the apology, the guy seems to be in a good mood and returns to his original smile mask, grinning and taking something out of his pocket.

He probably unconsciously tried to pick up a cigarette, but when he saw me, he put it back in his pocket.

I didn’t have any intention of scolding him for it, so I turned my head and tried to understand the situation.

The place we were currently in seemed to be underground somewhere. The iron door in front is bolted, so it looks like it’s a shelter somewhere. Since it’s a Marriott hotel, I guess each hotel has an underground bomb shelter. That’s what I thought.

However, the room was very dark, and the only source of light was a small light coming from the magic circle, and after the teleportation was completed, the light was gradually fading, so I activated the light magic to light up the inside.

When Li Jiyuan catches my gaze, she quietly lowers her head, approaches the iron door, and tries to open the bolt. However, the door seems to be locked by something hard behind it, and no matter how hard I pull, it won’t open.

Just as I was wondering for a moment whether I should break down the door, I heard the sound of metal creaking and the door slowly opened.

“Sorry. Since we are currently engaged in combat, we did not notice the teleportation.”

A man in a black suit bowed to me in a tired voice. Looking at the badge on his chest, he seemed to be a GDO employee, but I wondered why he was still here.

At that time, a gunshot rang out in the distance, and a moment later an echo of a scream was heard. At the sound, the black suit let out a low curse.

“What happened? Please explain.”

“The entire city of Tbilisi has been occupied, and the remaining troops are gathering at the Marriott Hotel and making a last stand. Oh God, thank you so much. I thought I was going to die, but you helped me. Thank you so much.”

He chanted God’s name and made the sign of the cross. After looking at that for a moment, I walked out the open iron door.

After a long passage, the place that appeared was a familiar sight. The place, whose floor was coated with green coal tar, had a clear purpose. underground parking lot.

The hotel’s shelter seemed to be connected to an underground parking lot.

As more than 50 people were bustling around, a heavily armed soldier who was running around the parking lot was seen approaching in a startled manner.

“No… Are you Northmund? under… ha ha ha! Lived! We lived!”

“Stop. What is the situation outside the hotel?”

“Ah. Yes, they are currently installing a dimensional anchor in the center of the city. According to current statistics, anchors are usually installed about three or four days after occupation, but this is the first time that they have been installed so quickly.”

“I see.”

I thought I knew why GDO had sent us right here. When a dimensional anchor is installed, the area becomes a demon world and is covered with black fog, so ordinary people other than mana users cannot enter the area.

Therefore, this was a task that required fairly quick processing.

‘Has their strategy changed in this direction?’

Did they switch to a method of desolating the rear and gradually drying up the foundation of humanity?

It is difficult to push in in large quantities without any hesitation, but this is equally difficult.

Basically, since the soldiers cannot enter the demonized area, recapturing it is impossible, so the only way is to blow up the entire city and destroy it.

Even if the anchor is destroyed, it will take a long time for the fog to clear and the Demon World area to return to its original state. In fact, we have no choice but to give up on the region and withdraw.

When I went to the entrance of the parking lot, the barricade had been breached and monsters were running this way.

Their fingernails were stained with red blood, and pieces of camouflage-colored cloth were stuck to the corners of their mouths. It seemed that all the soldiers blocking the entrance had been wiped out.

“Hey, prepare for battle!”

“Everyone, get ready! They are coming!”

“Tania, forward! Sejun wait right behind you! Don’t be nervous! Muriel, come to your senses!”

I laughed and swung my staff at the sight of the guys hurriedly giving orders to prepare for battle.

─Pretty sweet!

─Wow?!

In an instant, as if a balloon filled with blood had been pricked with a needle, the bodies of the six or seven men burst open, and pieces of blood-stained meat stained the pillar with the letters B7 on it and the luxury cars parked there.

“… E?”

“… .”

I stepped forward, leaving behind the guys who made blank expressions at the unrealistic sight of monsters suddenly exploding without warning, which was hard to describe.

This is not the place for you to be active. We need to be active in a slightly larger space, where everyone around the world can see.

I heard the sound of broken pieces of meat being trampled under my shoes, and we finally left the parking lot and stood in the city center.

It was morning in Seoul, but on the other side of the world, a red sunset was visible in the sky in Tbilisi.

Tbilisi Square in front of the Marriott Hotel.

It is a famous place in Georgia that is always crowded with tourists as it is home to the golden statue of St. George, but now there were countless monsters screaming instead of fashionable tourists.

‘hmm.’

I felt a bit sad when I saw the pitiful sight of the golden statue of St. George, a famous monument in Georgia, being broken and the bright yellow gold pieces lying next to the broken embankment.

World cultural heritage sites, including the Egyptian pyramids, are disappearing one by one. Don’t these monsters know how to respect history?

It seemed like everyone sympathized with my feeling of clicking my tongue, and the reaction of the guys holding the weapon was no different from mine. In fact, there are quite a few people for whom this is their first time seeing a city destroyed by monsters.

Some of them were trembling as they looked at the monsters that had taken over the city, wondering if their previous determination had gone anywhere.

… It shouldn’t be like this.

─Biguuu!

I howled towards the sky. A dragonian’s roar filled with sincerity and deep in my magical power.

A dragon, a cry that contains the force of a predator beyond the dimension that does not exist in this world, can be seen momentarily causing the monsters to flinch.

Since they are low-level monsters, most of them have no ego, but this force arouses fear from the very root of their cells.

The magic in the air trembled and burned itself through my will. A hot red flame that seems to burn something covers the entrance to the parking lot.

In the back, there are kids holding weapons. The scene they are looking at is a red dragon wearing a flicker of flame.

At first glance, the sight of a demon-like being covered in scales with a protruding snout and horns engulfed in a river of flames may seem blasphemous, like a demon lord, or perhaps too sacred.

“Everyone, come to your senses. This is your first battlefield.”

The monsters that hesitated for a moment at my pier soon came to their senses and charged towards me, screaming. The Brute purrs while swinging his large fist, and the Slasher screams while swinging his orange claws that reflect the evening sunset.

Against him, the swords of humanity rise. He grabs his weapons and aims them at the monsters.

The lambs that were afraid of the maggots crawling out of the abyss just a moment ago are no longer there.

I feel the change and give the final command.

“Go! My sons and daughters! Destroy every last enemy of humanity with your sword!”

At those words, a huge roar erupted and heavy and sharp forces exploded and began to rush towards the monsters.