Ch.8282. Ghost Fleet (1)

The sudden appearance of a ghost fleet.

And not just a ragtag fleet of fishing boats, but a proper fleet that included naval vessels used by the Republic of Korea Navy.

While it was fortunate to have confirmed that ghost ships were indeed roaming the East Sea…

‘This is troublesome.’

Kim Tae-sik, who had somehow managed to calm down with Seol-hwa’s help and was now leading the Pohang fleet, found the situation difficult.

He hadn’t actually expected to engage in a proper naval battle against zombies, only thinking they would recover or destroy fishing vessels that had drifted at sea and become ghost ships.

‘They’re mostly fishing vessels, but the ghost fleet has proper warships. They definitely have the numerical advantage.’

Even if ghost ships really existed in the East Sea, he had planned an operation to subdue them through boarding with marines composed of Awakened, and had assembled a fleet of patrol boats and high-speed vessels for coastal defense.

In other words, the fleet Kim Tae-sik was commanding didn’t have enough firepower for a real naval battle, as it was composed only of vessels for coastal patrol.

In this situation, he judged there were too many disadvantages to engaging in battle with a ghost fleet that clearly included warships.

‘If those vessels maintain the capabilities they had during the Republic of Korea era, we can’t expect an overwhelming victory based on performance differences.’

The technological and performance differences weren’t overwhelmingly in Pohang’s favor either.

The enemy fleet was also composed of fishing vessels and warships used by the Republic of Korea, so the performance difference would be similar or only slightly in favor of the Pohang fleet.

They were at a numerical disadvantage, and the performance was roughly equal.

“What should we do now?”

“Hmm.”

As division commander, Kim Tae-sik wanted to issue a retreat order from the East Sea region immediately, but he was currently the captain and Baek Seol-hwa held the overall command authority.

He didn’t have the authority to issue a retreat order on his own, so it was natural to ask Baek Seol-hwa for her opinion.

‘The contractor of the Dragon God Bahamut. If she uses that power…’

Moreover, even in this desperate situation, Kim Tae-sik and the crew under his command still had something to believe in.

That was the fact that their commander-in-chief, Baek Seol-hwa, was the Dragon Priestess who had contracted with the Dragon God Bahamut.

Since there was a high probability that they had unexpected divine strategies or special magic from the Dragon God, Kim Tae-sik carefully asked Baek Seol-hwa what they should do next.

“I have something I want to test against the ghost fleet.”

“A test?”

In response to the captain’s question, Baek Seol-hwa showed no agitation despite the ghost fleet being right in front of them, and instead smiled lightly with a confident expression.

As if she had been waiting for the ghost fleet to appear, Seol-hwa rose from the commander’s seat and issued an order to Kim Tae-sik as the Dragon Priestess.

“Please maintain the patrol ship at a certain distance from the ghost fleet.”

“Do you have a plan?”

It was essentially an order to set a course near the ghost fleet, suggesting they engage with the ghost fleet right in front of them.

So Kim Tae-sik asked if she really had a plan.

Rushing in without any strategy wasn’t something a soldier should aim for, and Kim Tae-sik had no intention of wasting his life on such meaningless charging actions.

Apparently sensing Kim Tae-sik’s anxiety, Seol-hwa smiled brightly and explained the reason in detail.

“Yes. It’s magic I received from Lord Bahamut, you could say? I have magic obtained through my contract with him. As it happens, Lord Bahamut himself ordered me to test this magic on the ghost fleet.”

“I see…! You mean it’s an order from Lord Bahamut?”

“Yes. So you don’t need to be afraid. Victory is in our hands.”

Kim Tae-sik was now well aware of the greatness of the Dragon Priestess.

Especially since Kim Tae-sik himself had experienced the Dragon God Bahamut’s magic once before, he couldn’t help but have high expectations for the magic Bahamut had passed down.

Moreover, he had heard rumors about Choi Yu-na’s power, and Baek Seol-hwa had originally been rumored to be Pohang’s strongest Awakened warrior.

As the Dragon Priestess, Baek Seol-hwa might show power here that surpassed ordinary Awakened.

‘Come to think of it, considering the abilities she showed when she was normal, we don’t need to be afraid of those things!’

Kim Tae-sik recalled the abilities Baek Seol-hwa had demonstrated before Pohang’s liberation, and thought that if she just used those abilities, they could handle the situation sufficiently.

Seol-hwa had been the most reliable person when she was on their side.

Moreover, having contracted with the Dragon God Bahamut, she would be one of the strongest Awakened in the Korean Peninsula, beyond just Pohang.

“Did you hear the Dragon Priestess? Maintain a certain distance and pursue the ghost fleet.”

“Roger.”

Kim Tae-sik thought of logic to convince himself and faithfully followed Seol-hwa’s orders based on that belief.

Considering the numerous miracles he had personally witnessed, there would be no contradiction in the logic he was currently thinking about.

All that remained was for Seol-hwa herself to directly prove the logic Kim Tae-sik had in mind.

The marines and crew members waiting quietly on the patrol ships and high-speed vessels would be thinking the same thing.

“The sea is rough.”

Baek Seol-hwa left the navigation room, avoiding the many expectant gazes, and headed to the deck, only commenting casually on the sight of the waves that had become rough with the appearance of the ghost fleet.

The sea that had been calm until just now had suddenly become rough with the appearance of the ghost fleet, but there was no fear in her demeanor.

That was because…

[I see. This might be evidence that the ghost fleet is not an ordinary ghost fleet.]

“Is it really a fleet operated by ghosts?”

[Well, we’ll have to get closer to find out.]

Though she hadn’t told Kim Tae-sik, the Dragon God Bahamut was watching this scene through Seol-hwa even now.

From Bahamut’s perspective, this was essentially the first naval battle led by the Balhut Cult, so this time he was sharing Seol-hwa’s vision in real-time and giving her orders.

In other words, this confidence that Seol-hwa was showing came from knowing that the Dragon God Bahamut was watching over and protecting this scene.

“I’m a little scared.”

[Don’t worry. I am with you.]

“I know, Dragon God.”

Even if she trembled with fear at the battle ahead, the Dragon God Bahamut was by her side.

So Baek Seol-hwa showed a brave face to the marines, crew members, and Kim Tae-sik who were watching this scene, and stood on the deck with confident steps.

After all, it was Baek Seol-hwa’s specialty to step forward first and show the image of a brave and courageous warrior to the public.

“Kieeeeeek!”

And as if jealous of that courageous appearance, a ghost floating around near the ghost fleet began to scream loudly.

Hearing that sound, Baek Seol-hwa also felt her chest tighten and took out her communicator to radio Kim Tae-sik in the navigation room.

“My head hurts. Are you all okay inside the ship?”

“We’re a bit dizzy.”

They must have been affected by the ghost’s screams.

Being in the navigation room, which could effectively block outside sounds, they weren’t as affected by the ghost’s screams as those on the deck, but it shouldn’t be forgotten that marines who had heard those sounds directly were still in a state of confusion or had fled deep into the ship’s quarters in fear.

[It seems to be a type of undead that causes a special status ailment to those who hear its screams. Is it the undead commonly called a banshee? No, I’ve heard that banshee wails cause instant death when heard. It could very well be a lower-tier undead.]

“Then let’s call those things banshees. From our perspective, isn’t that scream essentially a one-hit kill anyway?”

[Well, that’s true.]

Bahamut carefully observed this phenomenon from a third-person perspective and mentioned the undead called banshees when seeing the ghosts floating in the air.

And he mentioned a trivial story that those who hear a banshee’s cry die instantly, but even now, many Awakened marines were losing their will to fight due to that crying sound and trying to flee deep into the ship’s quarters.

Given that unsightly scene, from the perspective of ordinary humans, it was a vicious being no different from a banshee, so Baek Seol-hwa suggested naming that being a banshee.

Bahamut also agreed with that opinion, and after witnessing marines still screaming at that crying sound, he issued an order to Seol-hwa on the spot.

[Even most Awakened find it hard to endure a banshee’s scream for long. Let’s begin.]

“Yes. Then lightly, one shot. Bang!”

Bang! The power of Seol-hwa’s magic reached its peak in the East Sea.

What appeared to be a fishing vessel was engulfed in a massive explosion, starting to burn with a mushroom cloud.

In an instant, the ship’s keel suffered critical damage, and the fishing vessel began to sink slowly, unable to move anymore.

It might not have much effect on the banshees wailing in the distance, but the group of fishing vessels blocking the patrol ship’s movement began to sink one by one.

“Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang!”

Baek Seol-hwa caused explosions on all the fishing vessels blocking the patrol ship.

She thought they were full of zombies inside and not worth the risk of recovery in Pohang, and there was a very high probability that there were no survivors inside.

Without any hesitation, Seol-hwa destroyed the keels of the fishing vessels, sinking them indiscriminately, and moved the patrol ship to an area where she could identify the banshees.

[It’s worthy of being called a fishing vessel fleet.]

“Yes. Tae-sik. Maintain this distance and retreat when I give the order.”

“Roger.”

However, it seemed they had brought fishing vessels from other countries as well, as Bahamut used the term “fishing vessel fleet” as if exasperated by the endless group of fishing vessels.

That’s how much the fishing vessels blocking the sea route increased one by one as the patrol ship slowly advanced.

It was impossible to ignore and pass by because zombies were coming up on deck from the fishing vessels, threatening the patrol ship.

Of course, considering the size of the military-made patrol ship, it wasn’t very threatening, but the visual intimidation of ghost ships was putting psychological pressure on the marines and Kim Tae-sik in the navigation room.

“There’s still no response from what appears to be the command ship.”

However, as Seol-hwa calmly sank the fishing vessels blocking the way one by one, opening a path, the patrol ship could slowly approach to a level where the ghost fleet could be visually identified.

Finally, a large warship that appeared to be the command ship revealed itself, and Seol-hwa, gazing at that warship, said there was still no response.

[Instead, the banshees have started to deploy. Well, try the magic I taught you.]

However, it seemed they intended to intercept, as ghosts appeared instead of interceptor vessels or aircraft, slowly approaching the patrol ship and high-speed vessels.

The marines inside the ship’s quarters held their breath at that terrifying sight, and Bahamut calmly stated that the ghosts had started to deploy and ordered her to use the secret magic.

“Yes, leave it to me, Dragon God.”

As Seol-hwa was preparing the secret magic…

“High-speed vessels have appeared on the flank!”

“What?!”

Unidentified high-speed vessels appeared on the flank of the patrol ship and began charging.

Kim Tae-sik was surprised by the sudden appearance of the high-speed vessels, but…

“Intercept with the high-speed vessels escorting the patrol ship!”

He deployed the high-speed vessels escorting the patrol ship and immediately went on the offensive.

“Kieeeeeeeeeek!”

However, the screams of the banshees flying through the air toward the high-speed vessels that went out to intercept only grew louder.

“Wh-what is this! N-no! Run away! Help me!”

And the banshee’s screams made even brave marines lose their will to fight.

Marines who had fallen into fear and confusion began to injure even their comrades around them.

[As expected, it seems those cries forcibly imprint the emotion of fear. Is Seol-hwa okay?]

“Yes. No problem. I am the Dragon Priestess. As long as I am with Lord Bahamut, I have no fear.”

[Oh, is that so…?]

Bahamut thought she had good courage.

And…

“Then, taste the magic passed down by the Dragon God.”

Following the Dragon God’s order, she gathered magical power and activated the magic she had acquired through her contract with the Dragon God.

“Turn Undead.”