32. Base Defense (2)

12:00 sharp.

Midnight.

Finally, the long-awaited Monday had arrived.

When I immediately opened the general store, the items had reset as expected.

[Purchasable Items]

[1. Stun Fist]

[Details: When worn and a punch is thrown with magic power, it releases a shockwave.]

[Price: 2000P]

[2. Ice Binding Book – Basic]

[Details: Reading it increases understanding of ice-elemental attributes and allows learning Ice Bullet and Cold Energy Emission. Requires mastery of magic emission.]

[Price: 300P]

[3. Fire Meditation Book]

[Details: Reading it allows learning ‘Fire Meditation,’ which ignites fire in the hand by burning magic power.]

[Price: 300P]

“Ooh.”

Waiting until now had been worth it. Immediately, one magic book, one secret manual, and an offensive piece of armor appeared.

‘Stun Fist…’

An item worth a whopping 2000 points. I quite like it. It’s a glove-type item-when worn and a punch is thrown with magic power, a shockwave is fired forward.

One punch could blow someone’s head off. I wanted to buy it right away, but…

‘Current points: 1529… Almost 500 points short.’

I was 500 points short. So, for now…

“Purchase.”

I bought the Ice Binding Book first.

“Nice…”

Reading this would complete one quest.

[Quest: Learn 5 or more elemental magics (4/5)]

[Reward: 1000P, Light Book – Basic]

The reward for learning 5 elemental magics was a whopping 1000 points. So, after reading the Ice Binding Book and earning 1000 points, I could immediately buy the Stun Fist.

“Then…”

I immediately started reading the book…

“Ah.”

The flashlight flickered and went out. The batteries must have died. Batteries run out quickly. Rechargeable ones would last longer, but since I couldn’t use electricity…

‘Maybe I should get some candles.’

It would be troublesome if all the batteries ran out or none were left in usable condition.

I had Night Vision, so I could see well enough with just moonlight, but Number 1 and Number 2, who lacked Night Vision, would be severely handicapped at night.

“Hmm.”

It’s a shame that only I can use the engravings.

‘For now…’

To save batteries, I went to the window and slightly opened the curtains. A faint moonlight seeped into the room.

‘This should be enough.’

I settled by the window and started reading the Ice Binding Book.

·

·

·

[Learned Ice Bullet.]

[Learned Cold Energy Emission.]

“Hmm. As expected.”

There was a long explanation about condensing magic power and such, but in short, it was about freezing water in the air.

Honestly, I still don’t really get it. Giving up on understanding is faster. Anyway, I got the skills and completed the quest, so that’s good enough.

[Quest Completed]

[Reward Granted.]

1000 points were added. And the Light Book appeared before me.

[Light Book – Basic: Reading it increases understanding of light-elemental attributes and allows learning Light Sword and Photon Barrier. Requires mastery of magic emission.]

The name alone reeks of overpowered skills. Light Sword? Wait a minute.

‘A skill to create a light-elemental magic sword. Holy shit…’

The Light Demon-Slaying Sword.

That’s the protagonist’s ability.

“This works?”

Is it okay for me to learn the protagonist’s signature skill? Is this right?

No, was the Light Book the one containing the protagonist’s skill? I just thought it would give light-elemental skills, but I didn’t expect it to be the ability used by that protagonist guy.

The original protagonist, Jang Yi-sang, is a multi-ability Awakened who can simultaneously wield light and darkness-a very chuunibyou-esque trait.

Moreover, he’s highly regarded for being a pure-born psychic without any external intervention or modifications like angels or demons.

How should I put it? He’s the embodiment of pure human potential.

Standing alone with his innate power, without help or backing from any major force, he had a strong sense of not being swayed by others.

He was a person of incredibly strong will.

Of course, the problem was that he was also an insane playboy who overshadowed all those cool traits.

Anyway, I just realized something huge. The Light Book contained the protagonist’s ability.

If there’s something like a Dark Book or a Shadow Book, it’s highly likely that it also contains the protagonist’s abilities.

No wonder it was given as a quest reward. It was a treasure.

“….”

But if I and Number 1 learn this and use it in front of the original protagonist Jang Yi-sang, what expression would he make?

If someone he’s never met before uses his signature attack, he’d probably make quite a face.

“Anyway…”

For now, it’s only natural to read the new skill book immediately.

I sat down again. The sun hadn’t risen yet. I still had to rely on moonlight.

Even with Night Vision, some light is needed to read a book.

·

·

·

“Holy shit…”

It was the most incomprehensible thing ever. I couldn’t understand a word. But as expected, reading to the end granted me the skills.

[Learned Light Sword.]

[Learned Photon Barrier.]

“Fucking awesome.”

With this, I feel like I can just blast everything from a distance.

First, I recorded all the magic I learned today in Abanjel’s Magic Book. To use them without incantations, I had to write everything down.

“Then…”

The sun was about to rise, so I went outside.

Time to make the most of Monday morning.

“Hey, Number 1.”

“Y-yes!!!”

“Check if the roof drain is clogged. And clean the house.”

“Yes…!”

“And you confirmed no one’s on the first floor, right?”

“Yes… When I went down yesterday, no one was there.”

“Got it.”

The second and first floors were already empty. Everyone must have left while I was away. Well, this means the villa building is now entirely mine.

Since it’s my base now, I should maintain it. Of course, I plan to leave all of it to Number 1 and Number 2.

“Number 2, listen well to Number 1’s orders. By the way, if you’re ordered to remove the Collar of Subjugation, slap Number 1. Number 1, don’t hit Number 2.”

“Y-yes…”

I preemptively blocked any tricks to remove the Collar of Subjugation through Number 2. Orders must be followed absolutely.

“Then.”

The rain had stopped a while ago. After raining all weekend, the city looked even gloomier.

“Purchase.”

As I walked down the stairs, I bought the Stun Fist from the general store. A pitch-black leather glove appeared. It looked quite sturdy. I put it on immediately, and it fit perfectly.

Now, with this, I can punch enemies and deliver shockwaves.

“This is it.”

While fiddling with the Stun Fist, I reached the first floor and heard loudspeakers blaring from all around.

-We are here to help! Those in need, please come out and evacuate to the safe bunker newly prepared by Osung Group.

-This is Pax Company. We are recruiting Awakened individuals to join our ranks immediately. If you join us, we will reward you generously.

-A new era has begun!!! The end of human civilization is near! Now, awaken and serve our new god, Keponusuuuaaaahhh!!!

-Die!! Heretics!!!

Chaos had erupted. One side was busy rescuing people, another was recruiting soldiers, and somewhere else, cultists were being gunned down by Hunters.

‘Over there is Osung Group’s civilian rescue team… That’s Pax Company’s mercenaries…’

The ones who just shot the cultists must be from the Blue Cross Group. They’re probably stopping the worship of otherworldly deities.

Occasionally, real entities crawl out when summoned, so stopping fanatics is as important as rescuing lives.

Anyway, I came out thinking of doing some light hunting, but there were too many humans stationed everywhere, making it tricky.

‘I need to break through somewhere… Should I just hit Pax Company?’

The Blue Cross Group is an elite force. Messing with them could get me rooted out entirely.

And Osung Group’s cutting-edge weapons are a bit intimidating.

That leaves only Pax Company’s mercenaries.

‘Pax Company likely has the most numbers. They’re the type to overwhelm with sheer quantity.’

As such, they’re less professional than the Blue Cross Group’s Hunters and worse equipped than Osung Group’s Hunters. In short, they’re just a bunch of guys with numbers.

‘I have enough shikigami…’

I went up to the rooftop. As always, I have no intention of fighting head-on. There’s no reason to charge straight when I’m outnumbered.

I want a hunt, not a duel.

‘Let’s see…’

I climbed over the rooftops and reached near where Pax Company’s bastards were gathered.

‘They’ve packed a lot of people into those trucks…’

Just the visible mercenaries from Pax Company numbered at least twenty. As expected, they’re the ones with numbers.

And there were at least ten Awakened individuals loaded onto the trucks.

‘I currently have 229 points… If I kill all of them…’

Since they’re all Awakened, I could earn a whopping 900 points.

‘I don’t know what kind of abilities they have… I need to finish them quickly.’

I hid behind the rooftop railing and picked out the one who looked closest to being in command.

A middle-aged man with half-gray hair. His face was scarred, and he was giving orders to the mercenaries left and right.

Definitely a former Hunter. And a pretty strong one at that.

But so what?

What’s he gonna do if he’s strong?

“Kill!”

Thinking one paper shikigami wouldn’t be enough, I grabbed five and tore his head off.

-Squelch.

As expected, using multiple Exorcism Methods at once made blood trickle from my nose. Doesn’t matter. This ensured I could take out the enemy leader.

“Ugh… Aaaahhh-!!!!!!”

Splat!!!!

In an instant, the Pax Company commander’s head spun and was torn off.

The severed head floated in the air before falling to the asphalt, and the headless body staggered and collapsed.

Thud-!

Blood gushed wildly from the torn neck.

[30 Points Acquired]

A confirmed kill. The most dangerous-looking guy was taken out the easiest.

“Over there!!!!”

“Damn it!! Fire!!”

“Team B, go up to the roof!!!”

Oh, I’ve been spotted already.

I figured there’d be a detection-type ability user.

-Ratatatat!!!!

“Ugh!!!”

Bullets immediately flew toward the rooftop railing where I was hiding.

Of course, I had already moved, anticipating detection.

‘Downstairs…’

I left the rooftop and went down to the floor below, placing my hand on the ground to summon shadow shikigami.

In an instant, magic power drained away, and two shadow shikigami resembling goblins rose from my shadow.

Cunning-looking shadows. Perfect for killing.

“Kill.”

I grabbed one shikigami by the scruff and stabbed a needle into its neck, twisting it.

-Squelch…!!!

-Grrraaahhh!!!!

-Splat!!!

A hole opened in the neck of the mercenary who had taken command, and blood gushed out. Definitely more effective than paper shikigami.

-It’s a curse user!!!!

-Damn it!! Conceal yourselves!!

-Set up a barrier!!

-Team B, don’t panic and enter the building!! They’re inside!!!

I heard the mercenaries entering the first floor. Their footsteps were fearful. Understandable-a curse user skilled enough to tear off heads unseen is terrifying.

But I’m not a curse user.

Just a regular jack-of-all-trades.

“Then…”

I moved again and approached the guys coming up.

Strike first, strike hard. I won’t wait. More importantly, hiding is pointless with detection-type ability users around.

-They’re coming down!!!

-Everyone, hold position!

The guys stopped. Did they give up on coming up?

“Go down.”

“Grrr…”

I summoned more shadow shikigami-four to go downstairs and two to go up in case anyone tried to enter the roof.

Then I pressed my ear to the floor and listened for sounds.

‘There.’

I heard gunfire aimed at the shikigami. Pinpointing the location, I used Cold Energy Emission toward where I guessed their heads were.

“Widen the path.”

Cold energy shot from the tip of my staff, freezing the floor.

Perfect for smashing.

‘Now, then.’

I clenched my fist and punched the frozen floor.

-KABOOM!!!!!

A shockwave erupted, shattering the floor. From their perspective, the ceiling just exploded.

Either way, the ambush was a success.