Chapter 345

Chapter 345. News of Victory (1)

Kim Yul recalled the parting words Hyunwoo left behind and let out a dry laugh.

“To go hunt a god, he said.”

If anyone else had said that, they would have just been dismissed as a crazy person.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the one who uttered such outrageous words was Hyunwoo.

So, even though it sounded absurd, all they could do was believe in him for now.

Even if his absence meant shouldering a lot of burdens.

“I have to endure it.”

Everyone who followed Hyunwoo had decided to cooperate with all events that might occur during his absence.

Of course, it didn’t seem like it was going to be easy.

“It’s only been ten days.”

During that time, Kim Yul and the remaining players on Earth had been overwhelmingly busy.

It took a week to burn and eradicate the black vines that appeared worldwide.

Even after that task was completed, there was no time to rest.

The frequency of Hole appearances had increased nearly fourfold, leaving no room to breathe.

Moreover, more than half of the players registered with the associations of various countries were drafted into major war areas.

Even now, they were likely shedding blood and sweat on massive battlefields, rather than in their home countries.

In Kim Yul’s case, it was the former, and for Yang Taeho, it was the latter.

Yang Taeho was in a position to stay in Korea if he wished.

The number of Platinum ranks had increased considerably, making it enough to meet the association’s draft requirements and ranks.

However, Yang Taeho volunteered to deploy to Mongolia.

That was due to the large presence of mages in the front line formed there.

Given the new variable called ‘breaking through’, the trait of Temoria was essential to protect the players.

“The old man probably knew that and volunteered willingly.”

Busy and chaotic times indeed.

Kim Yul, too, had just returned from closing a Hole.

With nearly ten days without proper rest, he was reaching his limits in terms of endurance.

Kim Yul, back home, sat on the edge of his bed with his smartphone.

He had heard some unbelievable news from the guild earlier on his way back home.

“A rumor that I died?”

The cause of the rumor was straightforward.

A video filmed during the attack on Seocho High School had been circulated.

As a result, many people saw the severe injuries Kim Yul sustained, making it seem he was beyond recovery.

“What’s with an unedited video floating around, how embarrassing.”

Although the National Intelligence Service intervened to delete the video and investigate the distributor, they couldn’t stop the rumor that Kim Yul had died from spreading rapidly across social media.

Having been unable to engage in SNS activities due to the assault incident, the rumor spread even faster.

The news of the ‘Platinum rank’s’ death, who was thought to remain in Korea, caused quite a stir.

Calls and emails flooded the guild, trying to verify Kim Yul’s status of life or death.

This made it impossible to proceed with normal business at the guild, so they conveyed the news to Kim Yul and sought his help.

“Sigh, why call a living person dead?”

Closing Holes alone was overwhelming, and now he had to worry about other things too.

He found himself resenting the original distributor of the rumor.

“Who could even think of filming during that chaos?”

It was hard to say whether one should be impressed or exasperated by that.

Kim Yul shook his head in disbelief as he manipulated the app.

Soon, the broadcast began.

Perhaps because he connected as soon as the live notification popped up, the number of viewers increased rapidly.

Watching the numbers rise, Kim Yul opened his mouth with a feeling of injustice.

“I’m alive!”

In response, the chat window started buzzing quickly.

– Yulyayulya

– Thank goodness it was all nonsense.

– I was really worried, thinking Yul was gone.

– Those who write articles without fact-checking should be punished.

– I’m avoiding all media that exaggerated this incident.

– Yul, t_T, I didn’t know you were hurt so badly T_T

– Your arm seems fine.

– Pity, should’ve just died.

– Damn jerks, such stress.

– You die instead.

– Can annoying people like those die instead of healthy ones?

– Yul, are you okay now? T_T

– The picture really broke my heart…….

– Are your eyes yellow? Did you use an authority?

Once enough viewers gathered, Kim Yul spoke again.

“You guys are so mean, calling someone alive dead.”

Some people worriedly asked what happened.

Others mockingly questioned what kind of trick he pulled to be alright.

Though different in kind, the viewers were simply curious.

He didn’t plan to explain every part, but Kim Yul simply replied, wiping his face.

“Hyunwoo hyung came just in time to save me.”

On hearing his words, some began to chatter with a shared sentiment.

– Why did that guy come so late?

– Seems so irresponsible.

– He nearly got all the students at that school killed.

– Even if he had been the first to arrive, it still wouldn’t be forgiven.

– Come to think of it, Kang Hyunwoo seems to have sociopathic tendencies.

– Really annoying. Why does he push dangerous tasks onto Yul?

– And now he’s gone again.

– Did he run away scared?

They pretended to care for Kim Yul, while belittling and slandering Hyunwoo.

Briefly observing the malicious words, Kim Yul’s gaze gradually changed.

The warm smile that once resembled a puppy vanished, replaced by a cold expression that the public had never seen before.

What could have the unkind commenters felt during the ensuing long silence?

Those spewing vile comments hesitated.

But that lasted only for a moment.

“I’ve heard that ignorance breeds boldness, and you’re exactly like that.”

The moment Kim Yul broke his silence, they erupted into a frenzy.

They reacted as if they were betrayed.

But Kim Yul’s expression didn’t change.

Unlike his usual demeanor, where he would smile agreeably at impolite words, he seemed different.

Those who seized on his words accused him of pretending all this time, and of spreading falsehoods, regardless of the facts.

Seeing all that, Kim Yul chuckled and said.

“You may not know this, but I’m aware that you can talk nonsense like that because of Hyunwoo hyung.”

When the players first awakened, at a time when they only moved in party units.

It was Hyunwoo who gathered the strong among them to form a force of influence.

The association that could control the players was built on that gathering.

Later, rejecting clans that amassed power through discrimination and crime was also Hyunwoo’s doing.

It was widely known that the association began to control the players because they backed such actions of Hyunwoo.

As a result, clans and players who should not have power collapsed, and instead, those who knew at least the bare minimum of morality grew to wield power.

‘That’s not all.’

The association thus established prepared the groundwork for players to stand on Earth.

Guildmasters, who understood concessions for the greater good over personal greed, silently accepted the leash put on them by the state and association.

Thanks to the minimized chaos, the society quickly adapted to the wartime system.

Successfully fending off the continuous invasion of enemies was thanks to that, without exaggeration.

‘Of course, Hyunwoo hyung wasn’t involved in everything.’

But it was clear he led the major flow.

Thus, he was more certain than anyone.

“If it wasn’t for hyung, we wouldn’t have even survived till now.”

Following his instructions and acting according to his will, the belief was that this war would surely end in victory.

“I’d believe hyung even if he became an order leader.”

Though impulsively said, it was the truth.

“From now on, my religion is K-ism, K-ism. Hahaha, it suits perfectly, doesn’t it, K-ism!”

Behind his cheerful laughter, insults and slanders overflowed, but they didn’t register.

Since this belief wasn’t unique to Kim Yul alone.

Everyone who observed Hyunwoo for a long time would share a similar sentiment.

‘So, everyone became Hyunwoo hyung’s followers.’

Kim Yul turned his eyes away from the loud chat room.

And lying back on his bed, he whispered.

“Yes, I believe.”

Perhaps even with the Platinum rank’s body, enduring the accumulated fatigue was too much?

As soon as he lay his body on the soft bedding, drowsiness overwhelmed him.

Succumbing to sleepiness, Kim Yul mumbled.

“So please come back soon, at this rate we might all die of overwork……”

The news from the god he decided to believe in came after a longer time than expected.

* * *

“Relief supplies! Get your relief supplies!”

“Move aside!”

“Emergency, it’s an emergency!”

“Lord Jesus watches over us!”

“Fear not death! It is merely a process to reach Eden!”

“Move it! Aren’t you trying to save people first?!”

Tanta, a city north of Cairo, the capital of Egypt.

It was so crowded that it was hard to even take a step there now.

The reason so many people gathered in one place was simple.

Five days ago, Alexandria in northern Egypt was annihilated, with all infrastructure burnt and gone.

The fleeing refugees made their way to Tanta.

It wasn’t such an unusual event these days.

By now, months after the year had turned, there were barely more than ten nations maintaining their original territories and infrastructure at 100%.

Egypt wasn’t among those ten.

Unfortunately, the tragedy befalling Egypt didn’t end there.

“A H-Hole!”

“Run!”

A new Hole appeared amid the refugees gathered for relief supplies.

It was even an acute Hole, bursting just a few seconds after forming.

A general-rank emerged from the blackened white bead and the black smoke spreading in all directions.

It took just 1-2 minutes for the area to descend into chaos.

People, who began to flee in every direction without any order, stumbled and trampled one another.

And those who were unable to get back on their feet became yet another obstacle, toppling others who followed, leading to further trampling.

Crushing accidents occurred all around, but no one paid attention.

Everyone was too consumed with fleeing to save their own lives.

Amidst this, as everyone focused on running away from the Hole.

“Move quickly!”

There were those who ran towards the general-rank instead.

They were players of the clan ‘Starfield’, which was based in Tanta.

Numbering about 200, they weren’t many in number.

However, they were quite experienced, being responsible for dealing with Holes occurring around Tanta.

Though in the current situation, that experience would shine only so much.

‘Recently, most of the team members have been trying to manage the influx of refugees.’

There weren’t enough members available for combat.

But running away was not an option, especially in their hometown city.

Clan leader User, who led his members hurriedly to the site, gritted his teeth.

“Damn it…….”

Behind the six general-ranks, who stood motionless in a now-empty place, the white bead slowly turned darker.

Sending monsters of general-rank or higher through an acute Hole to protect the next Hole until it opens.

It was now a commonplace enemy invasion tactic.

‘This is bad.’

The Gold rank players present at that site numbered three, including User.

Though there were over a dozen Silver rank players, it was difficult for them to face a general-rank.

‘During a hunt for a general-rank, silver rank players are merely supporters.’

Without Gold rank players, they couldn’t compete against a general-rank’s physical abilities.

Everyone at the site knew that.

Hence, no one dared to be the first to rush in, leading to a standoff.

‘Suppose we manage to confront the general-rank.’

Then what? Is there confidence to enter the corrupted area and close the Hole?

‘The number of creatures inside won’t be insignificant.’

Such staggered invasions often lead to a second Hole spewing monsters en masse.

While these might mostly be ordinary monsters, barely more than meat shields rather than Evolved Species.

Their overwhelming numbers often led to the annihilation of players on site.

Once the on-site players perished, a legion of Evolved Species would begin to breach.

If one were to enter the corrupted area before the Hole opened, one would have to face those numerous monsters head-on.

Objectively, it was unlikely that the gathered forces at that site could handle the situation.

And yet, despite their hesitation, they didn’t choose to flee. The reason was simple.

‘Damn it, this is near Cairo!’

If legion-class monsters established a foothold here, Cairo, the capital of Egypt, would not remain unscathed.

The city had a dense population of nearly 20 million.

So, there was no other choice.

“Daaamn! Gold rankers, step forward!”

Even if it meant dying, they had to enter and buy time to prevent the Hole from opening.

If players entered the interior, the Hole wouldn’t open until all of them were dead.

Since the day User awakened as a player, he had resolved to dedicate himself to his family.

Therefore, he prepared for death as he charged at the general-ranks.

The fierce battle ended only after one Gold rank and six Silver ranks had died.

“Gasp, gasp!”

User, barely having butchered the six generals, let out heavy breaths.

“Clan leader!”

Support troops finally began arriving.

Only after securing the evacuation of refugees out of harm’s way.

While he wished to yell at them for being late, he found solace that they came at all.

Though, ultimately, they might all meet their demise here today regardless.

“Refill your mana!”

User, with a grave expression, ordered his forces to reorganize and regroup.

The plan was to endure by stalling as long as possible, then enter before the Hole burst, hoping for reinforcements from the association.

Currently, recharging lost mana was their utmost priority.

The mana expenditure had been significant, and recovery was essential.

Just as User tilted his head slightly and swallowed a potion.

“Freaking hell…….”

The sky was splitting open.

Damned System