Chapter 53: Additional Base (3)

Immediately after passing through the Warp Gate, Han-seong entered the top floor of the new apartment building he had designated as the coordinates for the additional base.

A spacious interior of about 40 pyeong. Fortunately, there were no zombies or other monsters in sight.

[Notice: Entering Additional Base]

-The Blessing of Remote Support is activated.

Han-seong moved his wheelchair towards the balcony.

Beyond the window, he could see Cheonan Station and almost the entire downtown area. After briefly taking in this view, Han-seong turned to the Vampire Tree and said:

“We’ll be staying here for a while, so take root in this building.”

The Vampire Tree immediately followed the order.

Just as it had done with the officetel before, it spread its roots and vines to wrap around the apartment. With this, a means of defense was established. Han-seong looked into the empty air.

“Open Map.”

A map of vast area appeared before his eyes.

A map spanning a 62.5km radius centered on the base unfolded expansively. The part he focused on was near the southeastern boundary. It was Daejeon Metropolitan City.

‘There are quite a lot of survivors in Daejeon too.’

Since the entire city was within the observable range, he could roughly estimate the number of survivors.

Among them, groups of over a thousand survivors had established bases at the City Hall and a university in the direction of Gyeryongsan Mountain.

Besides those, countless groups of dozens or fewer than ten survivors could be seen. Adding them all up, it would be close to ten thousand.

‘And…’

On the way to Daejeon. He also examined the government complex where the Sejong Provisional Government was said to be located.

A place reported to house about 50,000 people on the Information Strategy Board.

However, the reality was different.

‘As expected, it was a lie.’

The blue dots visible on the map numbered generously around 5,000. No matter how he looked at it, it didn’t seem to be more than 10,000.

To think they would exaggerate the numbers by nearly tenfold. Letting out a dry laugh, Han-seong turned his attention back to Daejeon.

“Let’s start with preparations first.”

Before searching for his family, he needed to check his skills and equipment first to prepare for any situation.

To be ready for battle at any time.

Han-seong took out boxes full of potions and a staff from his inventory. It was the Mage’s Staff he had received as a reward for completing the job quest.

And the moment he grasped it in his hand.

The staff’s effects appeared before his eyes.

[You have equipped the Mage’s Staff.]

▷Effective Range: +200% of maximum

▷Impact Range: +200% of maximum

▷Magic Power: +100% of maximum

▶Special Ability: [Ultra-Long Range Barrage] applied

-When defeating an Elite grade or higher enemy with 50% or more contribution, the effective range of skills permanently increases by ‘10%’ of the maximum.

“This ability is truly amazing even when I look at it again.”

A satisfied smile naturally spread across his face.

Holding the staff, he examined the final effective ranges of the skills he mainly used.

▷Call Lightning: 45.0km

▷Wind Cutter: 18.0km

▷Tinder: 36.0km

▷Replica-Collector: 60.0km

▷Detection: 81.0km

The effective ranges had clearly increased compared to when he was 3rd Tier. This was partly due to the promotion and partly thanks to holding the staff.

However, there was one disappointing point.

‘It doesn’t reach Daejeon.’

The distance from the additional base to Daejeon was at least 50km.

To enter the city, he would need to go even further. In the end, except for the Collector and Detection, no skills could reach Daejeon.

‘The fortunate thing is…’

That the effective ranges of the newly acquired 4th Tier skills were all 60km or more. The same was true for Healing Field engraved on the ring.

‘Ah, there’s one more.’

Magic Spear, the evolved skill of Magic Arrow.

This one also definitely reached Daejeon.

After checking the effective ranges of his skills, Han-seong set priorities for which skills to use.

‘It’s better to save attack skills that reach Daejeon as much as possible.’

They should be used for emergencies.

In the first place, unless a battle breaks out in Cheonan, there wouldn’t be any need to use attack skills at all.

Han-seong turned his attention back to the map. To start searching for his family’s whereabouts in earnest.

But at that moment.

“That’s…”

He discovered something that irked him.

A square red dot marked on the map.

An elite monster. He was going to ignore it if it was far away, but its location was closer than expected.

A market about 1km away from the base.

Moreover, it could be seen gradually approaching the apartment complex.

‘I should deal with that first.’

It’s better to clear out nearby threats.

Han-seong activated Detection on the coordinates where the elite monster was located.

[Name]: Living Armor-Phantom

[Owned Skills]: Possession, Telekinesis, Soul Absorption, High-Speed Movement, Telepathy, Minion-Living Armor

[Weakness]: Magic, Sorcery, Spirit Magic

[Weak Spot]: Soul Vessel

‘Living Armor…’

It’s a monster that possesses objects like armor or shields. He easily identified its nature, as it often appeared in webtoons or novels.

After using Detection to understand its skills and weaknesses, he next used Precise Observation.

And as a result.

“…It looks grotesquely bizarre.”

Han-seong frowned.

True to his words, the Living Armor-Phantom had a hideous appearance that looked like a jumble of broken mannequins, torn clothing, and all sorts of odds and ends.

Yet its ability to move naturally like a human evoked an inexplicable sense of revulsion.

‘Moreover…’

It wasn’t alone.

It was dragging along moving mannequins.

Probably its minions. As he was looking at that scene with an unpleasant expression, that’s when.

Han-seong’s face hardened.

He had witnessed the Phantom’s minions brutally dismembering corpses.

A middle-aged couple wearing hiking clothes.

Though they were strangers, the moment he saw this, he couldn’t help but think of his parents. After all, his parents would be around the same age as them now.

Grind!

Han-seong clenched his teeth tightly.

First, to gather the Phantom and its minions in one place, he deployed a dummy.

[Activating skill.]

[Remote: Decoy Dummy]

The steel doll that looked exactly like V, the supervisor of trials, appeared and made bizarre noises to lure nearby enemies.

“Keeek! Keegeegeek! Keek!”

A sound that grated on the ears.

The effect was considerable. Not only the Phantom and its minions, but even zombies wandering nearby rushed towards the dummy. When they had closed the distance to a certain range, the dummy revealed its true colors.

“Keeeeeeeaaaaah!”

Suddenly with a horrific scream, it began to indiscriminately attack all enemies around it.

This was thanks to the effect of the lower rune ‘Haunted Doll’ applied to the Decoy Dummy.

Stunned by this sudden action, they froze in place, and Han-seong didn’t miss this opening.

[Remote: Chain Lightning]

Crackle! Zap zap zap!

Chain lightning poured onto the Phantom.

The living lightning struck the Phantom and then hit its minions and zombies around it. And the moment it struck the seventh target.

Rumble! Boom!

Lightning fell from the sky.

The lower rune ‘Method to Call Lightning’ attached to Chain Lightning had activated. The lightning fiercely struck all beings in place.

A moment later, when the hazy dust cloud cleared, only the Phantom remained. Even the dummy seemed to have been destroyed by the lightning, with only debris rolling on the ground.

“Grrrr…”

Seemingly sensing danger, it hastily tried to leave the area. Of course, Han-seong had no intention of letting it go so easily.

Rumble! Boom!

Lightning struck again.

This time it was Call Lightning directly activated by Han-seong. Taking a direct hit from this, the Phantom shuddered and collapsed in place.

‘What’s this?’

Is it pretending to be dead?

Han-seong sneered coldly. Just as he was about to load Wind Cutter to unleash attacks.

An unexpected notification appeared.

[Subjugation successful.]

[Elite Monster: Living Armor-Phantom]

[Rewards will be distributed based on contribution.]

[Reward]: 2,800 Coins

“Huh?”

[The effective range of all skills increases.]

[Increase Amount: +10% of maximum]

Han-seong blinked his wide-open eyes.

He muttered in a dazed voice.

“It’s already over…?”

After just taking Chain Lightning and two lightning strikes?

Since its level was similar to the Hundred-Faced Ghost, he thought he’d have to pour out quite a few skills. Or is the Living Armor’s health lower than other elite monsters?

As all sorts of questions swirled in his mind.

“…Ah.”

Han-seong belatedly realized.

The existence of the staff he was holding in his hand.

An effect that doubles the power of existing skills just by equipping it. Add to that the considerable level gap which must have also influenced the battle.

‘I’ve gotten stronger than before.’

As he was freshly realizing the fact that he had grown, that’s when loot appeared where the Phantom’s corpse was. Along with a message that appeared.

[Remote: Inventory activated]

[Loot detected within collection range]

[Loot will be automatically stored.]

Thanks to the rune’s effect, the inventory could now collect all loot within the observable range.

As a result, he could comfortably receive loot while sitting without having to send the Collector. Han-seong checked the list of loot.

[Loot List]

▷Living Armor-Phantom’s Soul Stone

▷Skillbook: Soul Link

“Soul Stone?”

The Phantom’s loot consisted of two items.

Among them, what caught Han-seong’s attention was the Soul Stone, which he hadn’t seen since the Collector. In other words, it meant he could create a Replica of the Phantom.

‘Come to think of it, the body is intact too…’

Should I try making a Replica after a long time?

After all, increasing the number of Replicas means adding to his forces. And now he could somewhat handle the massive amount of mana needed for creation.

The deliberation didn’t take long.

Han-seong sent the Collector to retrieve the Phantom’s body. Then after throwing the body in a corner of the living room, he immediately began preparations for creation.

[Replica: Living Armor-Phantom]

Now all that’s left is to steadily supply mana until the Replica is completed.

Having finished his task, Han-seong examined the other loot item during the cooldown time for Detection and Precise Observation.

[Skillbook: Soul Link]

-Links the souls of the master and minion to share. The master can use the minion’s owned skills at up to 50% of their original power.

-Conversely, the minion can also use the master’s skills at up to 20% power.

▷Applicable Targets: Golem, Homunculus, Replica

▷Duration: Constant

▷Sharing Limit: 1

▶Class Restriction: Common

“This is…”

It looks quite good?

Not only was the ability to use the Replica’s skills appealing, but the fact that the Replica could use his skills also seemed very good.

‘Of course, it won’t receive the Blessing of Remote Support outside the base.’

Still, it’s usable.

For example, it meant that after dispatching the Collector switched to manual mode to Daejeon, it could use skills Han-seong possessed.

Although the power would be reduced to 20%, it’s better than not being able to use skills at all. Han-seong acquired the skill without hesitation.

Some time later.

[Notice]: Cooldown Reset

▷Remote: Detection

▷Unique: Precise Observation

A notification arrived that he could use Detection and Precise Observation again.

Han-seong unfolded the map once more.

And he recalled places where his parents might be, one by one in his mind.

‘Let’s start by searching my great-uncle’s place.’

His great-uncle lives in Secheon-dong.

And Han-seong’s parents used to stay at his great-uncle’s house about seven out of ten times whenever they went down to Daejeon.

‘It’s information from 10 years ago so it’s not certain, but.’

This method is the best option for now. So Han-seong pinpointed the coordinates of his great-uncle’s house.

There were about five blue dots within a 100-meter radius.

[Remote: Detection]

Han-seong immediately activated the skill.

To find his family’s whereabouts.

The next morning.

Han-seong woke up with a groggy face.

After staring blankly for a moment, he shook his head vigorously. Then looking at his disheveled appearance reflected in the mirror, he muttered:

“…When did I fall asleep?”

Han-seong closed his eyes and recalled what had happened yesterday. He had searched every possible place where his parents might be until late into the night.

Starting with his great-uncle’s house.

The place where his maternal grandmother’s grave was, neighborhoods where his aunts lived, the bakery his mother often visited, the fishing spot his father used to go to, and so on.

‘But…’

To conclude, his family wasn’t anywhere. However, it’s too early to be disappointed. After all, his search for family has only just begun.

After slapping his cheeks hard with his palms, Han-seong looked at the map unfolded in the air.

“Alright. Let’s search again.”

His first target was Daejeon City Hall. It had the highest population density per area in all of Daejeon.

Han-seong carefully examined the information of the people that appeared before him.

“Phew.”

But this time too, he couldn’t find his family.

He sighed and looked at the clock.

‘30 minutes left.’

The cooldown time for Detection.

Afterwards, he thoroughly searched the area around City Hall through Precise Observation, but the result was fruitless.

As a feeling of despair was washing over him.

A message appeared before his eyes.

[Replica completed.]

[Living Armor-Phantom]

A notification that the Replica he had been working on since yesterday was completed. Han-seong, who had nothing particular to do, turned his wheelchair to check the Phantom’s information.

[Replica: Living Armor-Phantom (Lv.43)]

▷Grade: Elite

▶Mode: Manual / Automatic

▶Skills: Possession, Telekinesis, Soul Absorption, High-Speed Movement, Telepathy, Minion-Living Armor

Information not much different from the Collector.

Han-seong examined the skills possessed by the Phantom one by one. While doing so, he discovered one skill that particularly caught his eye.

『Telepathy: Designate a specific object or target to transmit voice. Or convey exactly what the target has spoken aloud.』

“It can transmit speech?”

So does that mean it can repeat exactly what I say remotely? With a hopeful heart, Han-seong activated the Phantom’s skill.

[Skill: ‘Telepathy’ activated]

After completing all preparations.

Han-seong opened his mouth with a trembling feeling.

“Is this how it works…?”

The Phantom repeating his words exactly.

Han-seong’s eyes widened in surprise.

Although there was a delay of about 1 to 2 seconds, this level seemed sufficient for real-time conversation through the Phantom.

‘This should work fine as a representative, right?’

With Ji-hye, who originally served as the representative, currently absent, it seems suitable to replace her role. Especially since real-time conversation is possible.

However, there was a problem.

The Phantom’s appearance was grotesque enough to evoke revulsion. After pondering, Han-seong soon found a solution.

‘It might be fine if we dress it up a bit.’

Unlike the Collector, the Phantom has a human-like body shape.

In other words, if it’s covered from head to toe in clothes, it might look human.

Han-seong entered the auction house. A while later, the clothes he purchased fell onto the living room floor.

Thud! Thud thud thud!

A leather jacket and leather pants.

Brown boots and black gloves. A yellow muffler and a full-face motorcycle helmet. He controlled the Collector to dress the Phantom in these clothes.

The result was very satisfactory.

“Wow, it really looks human.”

This was thanks to covering all body parts with clothes, gloves, and helmet. When moved in manual mode, its movements were almost indistinguishable from a human’s.

Han-seong smiled with satisfaction.

Just then.

“Hm? Wait a minute…”

He had dressed it up thinking of assigning it the role of representative, but wouldn’t it be better to just dispatch the Phantom itself to Daejeon?

It’s capable of solo combat, and if Soul Link is activated, it can even use Han-seong’s skills.

Or it could join a survivor group in Daejeon and inquire about his family’s whereabouts.

‘This really seems like a good idea.’

Of course, he would continue searching for his family on the map, but if he controls the Phantom as well, he might be able to find his family faster.

Han-seong quickly made up his mind.

To dispatch the Phantom to Daejeon.

[Remote: Soul Link (Activated)]

First, he established a Soul Link with the Phantom.

Next, he took out a wallet from deep inside his backpack and opened it. Inside were an ID card and an old photograph.

A day from 10 years ago.

A family photo taken with his parents before the accident that paralyzed his lower body. Han-seong looked at the photo with longing eyes.

He put the ID card and photo into the Phantom’s leather jacket pocket. To show the photo when meeting survivors in Daejeon and find clues.

‘And one more thing.’

He also put the Return Stone, obtained as loot from the Ghost Queen Wasp in the past, into the Phantom’s pocket.

So that it could return to the base immediately if it found his family.

After finishing all preparations like that.

[Switching to Manual Mode]

The Living Armor-Phantom, newly made into a Replica, left the Cheonan base and headed towards Daejeon.