Chapter 72: Eyewitness Account (4)

“By the way, there’s one more piece of bad news.”

“What bad news…?”

“The fact that the fog has spread beyond Hwaseong City and is rapidly expanding its territory to nearby areas.”

The fog is approaching.

At those words, Ji-hye and the Brigadier General were startled.

On the other hand, Han-seong remained calm. It was information he had already grasped while searching for Yuna last night.

“At the rate the fog is spreading, it will reach here with time to spare in a week.”

“A week…”

Their expressions hardened instantly.

The Brigadier General muttered with a sigh.

“That means if we don’t settle this within that time, we’ll meet the same fate as Hwaseong.”

Fight or flee.

There were only two options given.

The Brigadier General closed his eyes and pondered which choice to make, while Ji-hye kept glancing at the Phantom as if gauging Han-seong’s reaction.

Tick tock!

The atmosphere suddenly grew heavy.

As only the rhythmic sound of the clock hands moving could be heard, a bright voice broke the silence.

It was Yuna’s voice.

“There’s no need to worry too much.”

“I came back here not only to inform you about the situation in Hwaseong, but also to fight together with you all.”

She smiled brightly at the Brigadier General and Ji-hye as if trying to lighten the heavy mood.

Meanwhile, the Brigadier General asked back with a puzzled tone.

“You’re going to fight with us?”

“Yes, if it were an elite-grade monster I might be able to handle it alone, but a champion is too much. I barely survived when I encountered one before.”

Yuna let out a deep sigh.

Having had a near-death experience, one would normally want to avoid facing such an opponent again, but she showed no intention of avoiding a fight with the champion monster.

“So let’s fight together.”

“First, let’s take down the Soul Eater with me, then we’ll eliminate the Ether Plunderer. That way we can win safely.”

Yuna pointed at the twin-headed snake.

Then she continued speaking.

“If we all work together, we can defeat the champion monster and save people. And I’ll be able to go to Seoul too.”

Yuna believed this without a doubt.

On the other hand, Ji-hye and the Brigadier General’s expressions remained dark. Chewing her lip silently, she muttered with a sigh she had been holding back.

“…Actually, we have some information too.”

“Really? What kind of information?”

“It’s about the levels of the two monsters.”

Ji-hye stood up and approached Yuna. Then she wrote the levels next to the list of champion monsters on the operation status board.

[Soul Eater]: Level 32

[Ether Plunderer]: Level 41

This was the information Han-seong had told her just yesterday.

And upon seeing this, Yuna asked back with a surprised face.

“Huh? The Plunderer is level 41?!”

“Yes, it’s reliable information, so you can trust it.”

“I see. No wonder my skills didn’t work and I ran away immediately…”

Yuna made an expression of understanding.

Her tone suggested she had actually engaged with the Ether Plunderer before. But that was only for a moment, as she quickly spoke up cheerfully as if nothing had happened.

“But if we join forces, we can definitely win! There are so many people here, so there must be plenty of strong ones too!”

A voice that hadn’t lost hope yet.

However, Ji-hye and the Brigadier General’s expressions showed no signs of brightening. After a while, the Brigadier General, who had been pressing his temples, opened his mouth.

“…Captain Lee Ji-hye.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Tell me who has the highest level among those currently in the Special Task Force.”

The Special Task Force was a special unit of Suwon Air Base created specifically to deal with monsters. It was a group that gathered all the high-level survivors.

In other words, having the highest level in the Special Task Force meant having the highest level in the entire Suwon Provisional Government.

“It’s Sergeant Seo Ha-eun at level 28, sir.”

A familiar name came from Ji-hye’s mouth.

Han-seong made a surprised expression.

She’s already reached level 28. She must have continued hunting diligently even after coming to Suwon. Han-seong nodded inwardly as he thought this.

Just then.

“Huh? The highest is only level 28?”

A loud voice was heard from beside him.

It was Yuna’s voice. She widened her eyes in disbelief.

“Is, is that all?”

“Yes, the current average level of the Special Task Force is 23. You’re exceptionally high, Yuna.”

“No, this is troublesome…”

Her expression darkened rapidly.

Understandably so. While it might be possible to subjugate the Soul Eater, to fight the level 41 Ether Plunderer, one would need to be close to that level.

Yuna fell silent as if deep in thought.

Silence fell again. As a heavy stillness lingered, the Brigadier General muttered with a sigh.

“…Sigh. If that’s the case, we’ll have to consider relocating to the Sejong Provisional Government.”

“Th-that…”

Ji-hye made a flustered expression.

However, in Han-seong’s opinion, the Brigadier General’s judgment was extremely realistic and rational.

After all, he carried too many lives to stake everything on a side with slim chances of victory.

At that moment, Yuna spoke up again.

“Um, is there really no one over level 30, even outside the Special Task Force? Not even one person?”

“There isn’t. Almost everyone over level 20 is part of the Special Task Force.”

At the Brigadier General’s firm answer, Yuna’s expression darkened again. Her face became complicated, as if the last hope she had been holding onto had crumbled.

That’s when Ji-hye’s voice was heard.

“…Actually, there is one person.”

“Really? Is that true?”

“There’s someone over level 30?”

Hope bloomed on Yuna’s face.

The Brigadier General also asked back with a surprised expression.

Ji-hye nodded silently and turned to approach the Phantom.

“Mage.”

“Please. Help us.”

Ji-hye bowed her head towards the Phantom.

At this signal, everyone turned to look at the Phantom.

“Hmm, come to think of it…”

The Brigadier General, who had been quietly stroking his beard, stared intently at the Phantom’s helmet.

“I’ve only heard about the Mage of Fire Thunder, but I don’t think I’ve heard about the level or anything else.”

“What? M-Mage of Fire Thunder?”

“Yes. Didn’t you know?”

“This is completely new to me. My goodness…”

Eyes wide like a startled rabbit.

Yuna stared blankly at the Phantom with a dazed expression. Her gaze was mixed with curiosity and interest. Just then, Ji-hye addressed him again.

“Mage, may I ask your level?”

“It’s 46 now.”

No sooner had those words ended.

Yuna and the Brigadier General’s eyes bulged.

Exceeding 30 would have been fortunate enough, but mid-40s? The Brigadier General, his eyebrow twitching, asked back in a voice full of disbelief.

“Are you serious? Really level 46?”

“It’s true. I can vouch for it.”

Ji-hye answered with certainty.

Her gaze was so firm that it didn’t seem like she was joking or lying. The Brigadier General swallowed a low groan and looked at the Phantom again.

“What on earth have you been through to reach such a level? At this point, even people over level 30 could be counted on one hand…”

“I’ve overcome several crises.”

Han-seong answered nonchalantly.

That’s when Ji-hye added an explanation.

“Moreover, the Mage has defeated a champion monster alone before.”

“A ch-champion grade alone…?”

Yuna muttered with an astonished face.

She stared blankly at the Phantom as if looking at a monster. But that was only for a moment, as she soon smiled brightly as if nothing had happened.

“If you’re level 46 and have experience facing a champion-grade monster, our chances are plenty. We can win!”

An expression filled with hope.

She clenched her small fist tightly.

“Then let’s come up with a specific battle plan…”

Burning with strong motivation, Yuna insisted on devising a subjugation strategy. But her excited expression crumbled almost immediately.

“I haven’t agreed to help yet.”

Han-seong’s single statement.

As soon as those words ended, the atmosphere in the room chilled as if cold water had been poured on it.

Of course, I don’t intend to just stand by.

The Ether Plunderer.

A champion monster at level 41.

If left alone, there’s no telling how far it might grow. It might even have the possibility of promoting to a grade higher than champion.

It would be better to eliminate it as soon as possible, before it becomes an even more threatening enemy.

Moreover, this matter is related not only to Yuna but also to Ji-hye’s family. It’s also an important issue with many lives at stake.

But that doesn’t mean he’ll help for free without any compensation. As much as he’s taking on the risk, he should receive a commensurate reward.

That was Han-seong’s judgment.

“This subjugation carries a high level of danger.”

“W-well, that’s true, but…”

“So I need to receive compensation. After all, I’m risking my life on behalf of others.”

I won’t help for free.

Understanding Han-seong’s words this way, the Brigadier General nodded as if he understood.

“Tell me. What do you want?”

“As compensation for helping with this matter, I’ll put the Suwon Provisional Government in my debt.”

“A debt…?”

“Someday when I have a request for you, Brigadier General, please grant me one favor, whatever it may be.”

Although he said he would receive compensation, Han-seong didn’t particularly lack anything at present. He had enough food, coins, and had found all his family members.

So he intended to secure compensation in this way. Meanwhile, the Brigadier General muttered with a hardened expression.

“…You’re asking for a blank check, it seems.”

“That’s right. Compared to the lives of nearly 10,000 people, it’s quite cheap.”

“Hmm, that’s…”

The Brigadier General fell into deep thought.

However, his deliberation wouldn’t last long. After all, he had no choice.

If Han-seong refused to cooperate, they would have to abandon the safe zone they had worked hard to secure and flee to Sejong like refugees.

“…Alright.”

“You mean…?”

“I promise. Someday, I’ll grant one of your requests, whatever it may be. Of course, if it’s a request that goes beyond common sense, it might be difficult to grant…”

Han-seong had no intention of making such a request either.

So he nodded readily.

“Good. Let’s cooperate.”

As soon as the affirmative answer came out, Yuna and Ji-hye let out sighs they had been holding back. The Brigadier General also made an expression as if a burden had been lifted.

Meanwhile, Han-seong raised the Phantom’s body and approached the operation status board. Then he pointed at the Soul Eater and Ether Plunderer with chalk.

“Then I’ll explain the strategy.”

Having decided to lend his strength to the subjugation, there was no reason to hesitate any longer. Han-seong spoke while facing the three pairs of eyes directed at the Phantom.

“First, we’ll divide the forces into two.”

“What? Why?”

“The Eater and Plunderer must be defeated simultaneously. That’s the only way to eliminate them.”

Han-seong revealed in detail the information about the two monsters he had learned through Detection. Except for Ji-hye who knew the facts in advance, everyone made surprised expressions.

“Having to defeat them within 60 seconds…”

“Ugh, the conditions are more demanding than I thought.”

The Brigadier General and Yuna groaned.

As if the path ahead seemed bleak.

On the other hand, Han-seong judged that there was sufficient possibility. So he immediately revealed the next part.

“We’ll leave the Soul Eater to the Special Task Force.”

“What? B-but…”

“How do you plan to deal with the sleep effect?”

“It’ll be fine with Ji-hye there.”

Han-seong looked at Ji-hye, ignoring the two who were asking back in surprise. As he did so, he recalled one of the Vampire’s unique skills, ‘Dark Veil’.

[Unique: Dark Veil]

– A veil forms around the vampire.

The veil has strong resistance to all skills belonging to the darkness attribute. This is effective for all allies within the veil’s range.

▷Veil Range: 5m radius

▷All Dark Magic Resistance: +70%

▷All Necromancy Resistance: +70%

▶Status Effect Immunity: Sleep, Petrification, Parasite

A skill that grants strong resistance to all necromancy and dark magic. Additionally, it provides immunity to status effects like sleep and paralysis.

The effect is valid for people within a 5-meter radius centered on Ji-hye. In other words, those near her won’t fall asleep.

“It’s as the Mage says.”

Just then, Ji-hye nodded.

She explained to the Brigadier General and Yuna about the effects of Dark Veil. Of course, she didn’t reveal the fact that she had become a vampire.

“…I didn’t know you had such a skill.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t mention it before.”

The Brigadier General shook his head at Ji-hye’s words.

He was just surprised, not intending to reproach her for not revealing her skill. Then he turned back to the Phantom and opened his mouth.

“Then the Ether Plunderer…”

“I’ll handle it.”

Han-seong answered immediately.

It was natural. There was no other choice.

But an unexpected response came back.

“I’ll go too. If the subjugation fails, we’ll need a means of escape.”

It was Yuna volunteering for the subjugation.

He didn’t want to involve her in dangerous matters, but he couldn’t refuse. As she said, they needed a means of escape if a crisis struck.

“Alright.”

Han-seong accepted Yuna’s joining.

With that, the team composition was complete.

The Soul Eater roaming downtown Hwaseong would be handled by Ji-hye and the Special Task Force, while the Ether Plunderer in the dream world would be handled by Han-seong and Yuna.

“Then when should we start the operation?”

“The sooner the better. The fog is still approaching as we speak.”

“Hmm, then…”

As Ji-hye and Yuna were conversing.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Knock knock!

“Brigadier General, it’s Major Moon Seok-jun.”

“Mm, come in.”

As permission was granted, Major Moon entered. The man in his early 40s belatedly noticed the group inside and was startled.

“I apologize. I didn’t know you had guests…”

“It’s fine. What’s the matter?”

“Well, the control tower reported observing an unusual phenomenon, so I came to report.”

“An unusual phenomenon?”

“Yes, they say the fog in Hwaseong City is rapidly approaching the air base.”

“…What?”

The Brigadier General’s eyes widened.

And he wasn’t the only one. Ji-hye and Yuna also made surprised expressions. At this, Han-seong immediately opened the map and used the Precise Observation function.

Soon after, he bulged his eyes.

That’s…!

The fog’s speed had increased even more than before.

The fog approaching at a speed three to four times faster than in the morning. At this rate, it would reach the air base not in a week, but in one or two days.

“It seems we can’t delay any longer.”

“You mean…”

“Please gather the Special Task Force immediately.”

Han-seong turned the Phantom’s body.

Towards the west side of the air base. In the direction of Hwaseong City, where the fog was rolling in like waves.

“We’ll begin the subjugation operation.”