Chapter 385

Chapter 385

Chapter 68 Growing and Accumulating (5)

“You intend to do it even if you have to endure that.”

There was no other solution, and continuing to block my way was no different than interference.

Once I pointed this fact out, the Damned System hesitated, but eventually displayed a system window in front of me.

「Do you wish to proceed with your fifth awakening? (Y/N)」

I took a moment to catch my breath before pressing the button.

Whenever my rank increased, the pain intensified.

Being promoted from Silver rank was more painful than from Bronze rank, and reaching Platinum rank was even worse.

Even the System hadn’t shrugged off the severity.

This time, it would be excruciating enough to be almost unbearable.

‘Just think of it as the last, the very last.’

Yet, here lay the ultimate and best choice for me.

Clenching my teeth, I pressed the button.

‘Yes.’

And then I regretted it. If I could return to the moment before pressing the button, I’d eagerly shout to do so.

“Uhhh…”

The fifth awakening lasted over 30 hours.

It even had aftereffects. To put it mildly, it felt as though my soul had been worn out.

I felt an odd sensation, as if my lifespan had significantly decreased.

Even hours after the awakening had concluded, I had yet to recover my usual condition.

During the process, I wanted to give up thousands of times.

Thankfully, once the promotion had begun, it couldn’t be reversed.

If there had been an option to undo it, the thought alone was terrifying.

‘I’d have had to endure that twice.’

The mere thought made me shiver unwillingly. It was truly an ordeal I couldn’t repeat.

“…… Are you not feeling well?”

Just then, the person in the driver’s seat spoke carefully.

It was Squad Leader Yang Jochul, whom I was meeting after a long time.

From his standpoint, asking such a question made sense.

I had been groaning and even shivering next to him, so it was natural for him to be concerned.

“Not particularly…….”

I was about to dismiss it lightly, just as usual, but paused.

Rashar had lectured me that concern and trust were separate issues.

Skipping precise information might lead to misunderstandings from Squad Leader Yang Jochul.

So, I conveyed my condition as accurately and honestly as possible.

“My condition isn’t the same as usual.”

A bit surprised, Squad Leader Yang Jochul stiffened momentarily, then swallowed dryly.

“Could you tell me exactly where you’re uncomfortable? If necessary, I can call a doctor….”

I waved off his suggestion.

“No, it’s not the type that requires a doctor….”

I rotated my neck slightly due to the stiffness in my trapezius and back muscles.

My body felt distinctly uncooperative.

But given some time, it was a problem waiting to resolve itself.

It was definitely better than right after the awakening.

I made sure to mention this to Squad Leader Yang Jochul as well.

“It’s more of an adjustment phase.”

“Adjustment phase, you say…?”

“My body has been rebuilt. It’ll get better over time.”

As I finished the brief explanation, the vehicle we were riding in reached its destination.

“Kang Hyunwoo.”

“It’s been a while, congressman.”

Waiting for us there was Congressman Jang Youngkang.

Initially entering politics after a military career, he was the one who had taken my suggestion in the past to spearhead the creation of bunkers nationwide.

Following his effort, the military received budgets from the government and additional support from the association to construct various shelters everywhere.

Today, my destination was one of those shelters.

‘The most recently expanded bunker in downtown Seoul.’

I had planned to inspect the place alongside Squad Leader Yang Jochul and Congressman Jang Youngkang.

‘Honestly, this isn’t something I should get involved in.’

The government was responsible for managing these facilities.

However, Squad Leader Yang Jochul had personally requested my involvement.

Amidst growing opposition to player involvement, every facility related to warfare needed visibility.

Bunkers across the country, including Seoul, were being pressured by protestors demanding their removal.

Yang Jochul brought me along officially to help counter this strain.

Even protestors against players wouldn’t recklessly confront me, given my continued support and visibility from Angramoti’s hunting video and my favorable public image.

At the slightest glance of ridicule against me, many supporters immediately jumped to my defense online.

This was evident because I hadn’t lost a single follower. On the contrary, they continued to grow steadily.

‘In essence, they used me as a shield.’

I couldn’t refuse Squad Leader Yang’s earnest request, especially when considering the essential need for shelters like these in emergencies.

I diligently followed through with the planned inspection.

The location was an underground parking lot in the prime district of Gangnam, capable of accommodating up to 3,000 people.

In an emergency, the newly installed steel doors could seal off the interior, and ventilation systems were primed to supply oxygen.

Additionally, all necessary resources for various crises were well-prepared.

Fire extinguishers and sand for fire prevention.

Medical supplies and an automated external defibrillator for emergency responses.

Essential water supplies and emergency food rations for potential isolation scenarios.

Furthermore, blankets and winter gear for warmth were meticulously stocked.

Over a hundred such shelters had been established within Seoul alone.

This indicated a considerable space for civilians to evacuate should Holes burst through the city center.

‘It’s impossible to accommodate Seoul’s entire population.’

Yet, as a preventive measure against the worst-case Scenario, its efficacy was remarkable.

I joined Squad Leader Yang Jochul and Congressman Jang Youngkang in thoroughly inspecting the facility.

A quick interview with accompanying reporters was also necessary during the visit.

“Demolishing these structures just because they seem unnecessary now would be a poor choice,”

I asserted.

These places could become lifelines for many citizens in times of crisis.

Some disagreeing opinions came from amidst the journalists.

“Nevertheless, there are many citizens against using taxes to maintain such facilities,” one said.

‘Is maintaining it worth the expense,’ they implied.

I responded with a smirk as I turned to the journalist who brought this up.

‘If the Captain invited journalists with opposing viewpoints, he must want me to quash their arguments…’

With a knack for this, fulfilling such an unspoken request was easy for me.

“Do you personally agree with that sentiment?”

The precise questioning made the journalist flinch slightly.

However, the investigator quickly regained composure, stood firm, and spoke earnestly, “Yes, I, too, share this sentiment. Didn’t Kang Hyunwoo once state that if all the Holes were closed, the Earth would be safe?”

The refusal to acknowledge the association’s ongoing warnings of new Holes screamed willful ignorance, not genuine disbelief in danger, but a hopeful denial of it.

Because having to restart the war would be dreadful.

But life’s realities aren’t as accommodating as our desires. Their attitude was lamentable.

I sighed openly and declared, “Being honest with me, there is no worth in listening to people like you.”

The journalist gritted teeth in frustration, visibly affronted.

But I wasn’t about to waver. I had more to say.

“If we identify those who share your opinion and dismantle exactly that proportion of shelters, barring them from future refuge, how many people would sign a declaration?”

How many would be brave enough to submit their names, knowing they’d face certain disadvantages later?

“I’ve no patience for the spineless demands thinly veiled under freedom, made in anonymity. That’s why Palrao Guild intends to keep its underground parking-lot-based private bunker operational despite it all.”

The association already mandates guilds and clans to create and manage private refuges as part of their operational permits.

Many lives were saved in the past war thanks to these facilities.

Even Palrao Guild’s private bunker had been utilized three separate times.

Holes in urban areas were a frequent occurrence, after all.

And this large-scale refuge effort started from the massive cave I discovered in Bihar’s north.

‘Having a designated refuge makes all the difference.’

Thus, I had no intent of discarding these bastions.

“For those truly in favor of dismantling these shelters, abandon anonymity, publicly disclose your identity and submit your petition.”

If they officially promised not to use the facilities in the event of future crises.

“We might compromise by dismantling some shelters in their living orbit.”

After finishing, I turned back to the journalist who had brought up the issue.

“You agreed to the dismantling, yes?”

Their expression was now more set and solid.

“Your name, residence, workplace, and general living radius, please?”

I waited a substantial time, yet there was no response.

“This is why I don’t heed your commentary. You bask in the liberty of words but shirk the responsibilities they entail.”

The inspection being complete, I moved past the frozen journalist and remarked frostily, “If you wish to suffer, do it alone. Don’t drag others into a pit you’re digging.”

Upon surfacing from the depths, Squad Leader Yang Jochul whispered in gratitude, “Thank you.”

Now, journalists supportive of this side would flood the media with articles.

Facilitating public discourse that opposed the protestors.

Squad Leader Yang Jochul was setting me at the forefront.

And though it might’ve felt like being used, I didn’t mind. I’d benefited plenty too.

“We’re all here to help one another.”

I played it off casually, earning a fatigued albeit amused smile from Squad Leader Yang Jochul.

“Are you headed to the training ground right away?”

When he offered to take me if that was my plan, I shook my head.

“I’m not feeling quite right today. I think I’ll just head home.”

“I’ll give you a lift.”

I had relied on him for a ride here, as driving was out of the question for me then.

So, I had no choice but to ask for a lift back.

During the brief transit, “Do you remember that place?” he inquired.

Following his gaze to the window, I spotted a familiar café.

“Oh.”

It was the café where I first encountered Yang Jochul.

More precisely, where I had observed Squad Leader Yang Jochul alone.

Realizing how much time had passed, nostalgia hit.

‘That was nearly when this game began.’

Now I was watching its end approach.

Remarkably, I wasn’t the only one feeling sentimental.

“Time truly flies.”

“Yes.”

Recollecting the café we passed, I chuckled.

“You thanked me earlier, but I too am grateful to you, commander.”

“Pardon?”

“I am aware of the assistance you’ve been providing behind the scenes.”

“…… I regret not having been of more assistance.”

“Helping on the battlefield isn’t the only aid there is.”

I spoke sincerely, for when the game began, Squad Leader Yang Jochul had been an exceptional partner.

Tempered many issues with governmental dealings.

They drew boundaries between me and ruling authorities to ensure minimal interference.

Preventing substantial clashes with so-called influential individuals was thanks to him.

‘It must have been strenuous, given his position as Captain.’

My genuine gratitude stemmed from him effectively shielding me from political power struggles.

Perhaps one day he might venture into politics himself.

“Might you venture into politics after all this?”

Offering to cast a vote of support, Squad Leader Yang Jochul smiled wryly.

“I’ve no interest. This time truly repulsed me.”

Reports had already circulated that some Congress members were inciting protestors.

Today’s incident likely originated from such pressures.

Realizing Squad Leader Yang Jochul’s effort, I reflected back, “It’d be amusing if a Hole suddenly manifested over the National Assembly.”

Damned System

New elements/characters:

– 양조철 = Yang Jochul (he), captain

– 장영강 의원 = Congressman Jang Youngkang (he)