Chapter 67: To Suwon (4)

The second item of loot to examine.

This too, like the first one taken out, was one of the Wolf King’s spoils – a whistle.

[Name]: Wolf King’s Whistle

[Description]: Loot obtainable with a certain probability when subjugating the Champion monster, Wolf King

▷When the whistle is blown, it summons two phantom wolves. If used by a job with high animal affinity, it summons even more powerful wolves, and the number of wolves that can be summoned also increases.

“A whistle that summons wolves…”

He wasn’t sure how powerful the wolves would be, but they’d probably be weaker than the Collector or Phantom. Still, it might come in handy somewhere if he kept it.

Han-seong put the whistle in his pocket.

“Next to examine is…”

[Skillbook: Healing Potion]

[Skillbook: Lightning Speed]

Both were skillbooks dropped by the Wolf King.

The former was an Alchemist-exclusive skillbook.

There was no need to examine its detailed effects; he could just give it to Ji-hye. And the second skillbook wasn’t one Han-seong could learn either.

‘It’s an Assassin or Shadow Assassin exclusive skillbook.’

Since there was no immediate use for it, he decided to store it in his inventory. He could dispose of it through the auction house later or find another use for it.

Anyway, that was the end of the loot.

Or so he thought.

“Huh?”

There was one more unfamiliar skillbook.

When did I acquire this? He touched the skillbook with a curious feeling. And soon he was able to resolve his doubts.

[Skillbook: Dig]

[Loot from the Mud Giant]

The elite monster at Daejeon University, the Mud Giant.

It was the one he had subjugated as an example when persuading the vigilante group. Recalling this belated fact, Han-seong examined the skillbook with a curious expression.

-Digs the ground to create a hole.

▷Activation Time: Instant

▷Cooldown: 10 minutes

▷Class Restriction: Mage

▶Grade: 2nd Tier

A skill with a very simple effect.

Just a skill for digging the ground.

Is there any reason to acquire such a thing? Han-seong made a deflated expression. But only for a moment, his thoughts soon changed.

‘No, wait a minute.’

If used under an opponent’s feet during battle, it could be quite helpful, right? Especially when used against humans, it would be effective.

If someone suddenly falls into a hole while fighting intensely, they’d certainly be flustered in nine out of ten cases.

‘The cooldown is also incredibly short, and I don’t think I saw this in the shop either.’

Upon checking, his memory was correct.

Skillbook: Dig was not registered in either the shop or the auction house. If that’s the case, there’s no harm in learning it.

There are enough skill slots anyway.

[You have acquired Dig.]

[Acquisition Target: Remote Support Mage]

[The skill will be modified to fit the job.]

[Remote: Dig (Lv.5)]

-Creates a hole by digging up the ground at designated coordinates. The soil, sand, gravel, etc. that existed in that area are stored in the Mage’s isolation dimension and disappear after 24 hours.

▷Effective Range: Up to 5km

▷Excavation Range: 25m radius

▷Effective Depth: Up to 5m

▷Mana Cost: 50

‘Oh, not bad.’

It instantly creates a hole 50 meters in diameter and 5 meters deep with no activation time?

This level would be effective not just against people, but even when fighting elite-grade or higher monsters.

The moment the target falls into the hole, if you pour out skills you’ve prepared in advance, you can deal massive damage in a short time.

“This seems to be all the loot…”

Han-seong checked the cooldown time for the additional base skill. There was about 10 minutes left. There’s still a little more time before moving.

‘Then shall I organize my inventory a bit?’

While taking out the loot earlier, he noticed there was a lot of miscellaneous stuff. There were quite a few items he didn’t remember storing.

Han-seong dumped everything piled up in his inventory. A heap of items filled the living room. Most of them were things he had never stored.

‘…When did I put these in?’

Thirteen 1-star grade skillbooks.

Five 2-star grade skillbooks.

A large amount of combat rations and spare clothes, gold and jewels, rings and necklaces, and other accessories, etc. The moment he touched these items.

“Ah.”

Han-seong finally remembered.

Where these items came from.

[Kim Jin-woo (Lv.15)’s belongings]

[Shin Dae-cheol (Lv.18)’s belongings]

[Yeom Dong-hyeon (Lv.17)’s belongings]

The armed group he had annihilated two days ago.

These were the belongings of the militia.

After sweeping them away with Magic Spear, he had immediately gone to see his parents, so he hadn’t checked. It seems they were automatically stored in the inventory.

‘There’s nothing particularly useful.’

No Mage skillbooks, and the equipment doesn’t look that good either. The only thing salvaged was just the combat rations.

As he was silently swallowing his disappointment.

Suddenly a notification message appeared before his eyes. Along with an unexpected jackpot.

[Go Young-jin (Lv.20) and 984 others]

[Coins are being recovered from each person’s belongings]

[Total Coins Recovered: 271,358]

Ah, come to think of it, there were coins, right?

Judging by the amount, it seems each person had about 200 to 300 coins.

In the case of the militia leader Go Young-jin, he probably had more coins than that.

‘Quite a nice haul.’

Although the belongings were mostly a bust, he made considerable profit in coins. With this, Han-seong’s current coin holdings just exceeded 300,000 coins.

Han-seong organized the militia’s loot, storing only the necessary items in his inventory. While doing so, he discovered an item he had completely forgotten about.

[Egg of Gu Poison]

“Oh…”

An object that looked like a red rock.

It was the Egg of Gu Poison, loot obtained from defeating the elite monster Centipede Queen in the past.

He had completely forgotten about its existence, his mind preoccupied with finding his parents.

‘It’s fortunate I remembered even now.’

If he has leftover mana later, he should resume charging it. Although he’s not sure what will be born from it, it still means gaining a new subordinate.

As he was finishing his organization.

[Unique: Additional Base]

[Cooldown has been reset.]

The awaited notification appeared.

Han-seong closed his inventory, then muttered towards the empty air.

“Open Map.”

A vast map unfolded before his eyes.

Han-seong searched for a place to become the new base, and soon found a suitable location.

Near the west side of the airfield.

An apartment complex in Gwonseon-gu, Suwon City. The highest floor was only 15 stories, not as tall as expected, but it still seemed to be the tallest in the surrounding area.

[Additional Base, maximum retention limit reached]

▷Do you want to remove the existing additional base and create a new additional base at the designated coordinates?

But the moment he designated those coordinates.

An unfamiliar notification appeared. Looking at the content, it seemed he had to remove the Cheonan base to create a new base.

He wouldn’t have any business in Daejeon for a while. After pondering briefly, Han-seong approved the request. Immediately, the additional base skill activated.

[Activating skill.]

[A disposable Warp Gate has been installed.]

The familiar gate appearing right in front of him.

Han-seong pushed the Collector and Vampire Tree into the gate, then moved his wheelchair to follow them with the Phantom.

Some time later, the moment he entered the Suwon base.

As if welcoming his entry into the new base, a familiar notification message appeared.

[Notice: Entering Additional Base]

-The Blessing of Remote Support is activated.

Next to enter Han-seong’s view was an empty living room. Seeing the desolate scene without a single piece of furniture like beds or sofas, he clicked his tongue softly.

“This really is a perfectly empty house.”

Was it just bad luck that such a place was chosen?

That’s not it. From the results of precise observation earlier, not just this place, but all nearby houses were completely empty.

Han-seong examined the map.

“This is…”

And he realized something peculiar.

Unlike Cheonan, there wasn’t a single red dot in this area.

Within a 2km radius centered on Suwon Airfield, only blue dots existed. It seems they had already cleared out the surrounding zombies and monsters long ago.

‘Well, of course they would have.’

The number of survivors currently residing at the airfield had nearly doubled since he first saw it.

Almost 10,000 in number.

For that many people to eat and sleep, they would need a large amount of food and bedding. The lack of furniture in this house must be for the same reason.

“Ah, first…”

Let’s tell Ji-hye the location of the base.

Han-seong whispered the detailed address of the base to the Blood Imprint. Ji-hye said she would come right away, and he looked back at the map.

As he was observing the surroundings like that.

A square blue dot appeared on the map. It was Ji-hye. Soon after, the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs was heard, followed by a knock.

Knock knock!

“Mage, it’s me.”

Ji-hye whispering beyond the door.

Han-seong moved the Phantom to open the door for her.

Ji-hye, faced with the Phantom, stepped back with a surprised expression, but soon spotted Han-seong beyond it and smiled brightly.

“Mage!”

“It’s been a while, Ji-hye.”

“It really has. Even though it’s only been about a week, it feels like I haven’t seen you in ages.”

Well, a lot has happened during that time.

For both Ji-hye and himself. After finishing their happy reunion greetings, Han-seong brought the knife he had taken out earlier to the tip of his finger.

“Shall we take care of this first?”

“I’d be glad to!”

Ji-hye kneeling down.

Han-seong applied pressure to the knife, cutting his finger. With a stinging pain, drops of blood flowed out, and Ji-hye put the finger in her mouth.

An ice-cold tongue wrapped around his finger, and soon he felt the blood being sucked. But suddenly Ji-hye tried to say something.

“Mmph, ahmm mmm.”

What are you saying?

I can’t understand.

“Spit out the finger and speak.”

“Phew. Not much blood came out!”

“Hm? What do you mean…”

“Unlike before, I only got to lick a couple of drops. The wound suddenly healed.”

It’s true. Though he had clearly just stabbed it with a knife, the finger was now perfectly fine without a single wound.

That’s when a likely reason came to mind.

The Wolf King’s heart.

Thanks to absorbing it, his regeneration and recovery abilities had increased, causing the wound to heal quickly.

Having grasped the situation, Han-seong looked at Ji-hye, who was making a sad face, and grabbed the knife again.

“Wait. I’ll give you more.”

“Ah, yes!”

Ji-hye’s face lit up again.

Some time later.

Only after wounding all the fingers on his right hand was he finally able to quench Ji-hye’s thirst.

“Whew, now I feel like I can live.”

Ji-hye smiling with satisfaction.

Then her eyes suddenly widened. As if she had just remembered something she had forgotten.

“That’s right. I looked into what you told me about your sister, and well…”

Ji-hye trailed off.

Her expression darkening slightly. Having roughly guessed the situation, Han-seong let out a dry sigh.

“She wasn’t on the list, was she.”

“No, I’m sorry.”

Han-seong shook his head.

It wasn’t something for her to apologize for.

“But she was on the visitor list.”

“Hm? What’s that?”

“We keep a record of everyone who has ever visited the airfield.”

Visitor list. According to Ji-hye, this was a list cataloging the personal information of everyone who had set foot in the airfield at least once.

“The airfield is largely divided into two areas.”

The quarantine zone. And the shelter.

First, the quarantine zone is where survivors who have just arrived at the airfield stay.

Survivors stay in this area for three days, undergoing simple physical and psychological examinations.

“There might be people among the visitors who were bitten by zombies or infected with diseases, you see.”

A perfectly understandable method.

After passing all examinations, they can finally leave the quarantine zone and reside in the shelter.

Listening to Ji-hye’s story, Han-seong mentioned the visitor list she had just talked about.

“So if there’s a record on the visitor list but not on the resident list, that means…”

“It means they stayed in the quarantine zone but didn’t make it into the shelter. The reason isn’t written down though.”

Ji-hye sighed.

Meanwhile, Han-seong silently looked at the map.

‘Anyway, the conclusion is…’

It means Yuna is not at the airfield.

In the end, it means he has to pound the pavement just like he did in Daejeon. Should we start by carefully examining Seryu University first?

As he was quietly formulating a search plan.

Ji-hye’s words broke through his thoughts.

“But I did find one clue.”

“Hm? A clue?”

“Looking at the visitor list, it seems your sister had companions at the time. The visit times matched, and so did the school and major.”

Seryu University, Veterinary Medicine Department.

It matches the information about Yuna he had heard from his parents.

Han-seong’s eyes widened.

“Then…”

“Yes, if we talk to those people, we should be able to find out about the situation at that time!”

Why Yuna couldn’t enter the shelter.

If lucky, they might even be able to find out where Yuna went.

“Before coming here, I asked them to look for her whereabouts. But since it’s late today, we should be able to meet them tomorrow morning.”

That much he could wait for.

Han-seong repeatedly thanked Ji-hye. Ji-hye smiled and said there was no need, but.

After the conversation about Yuna’s whereabouts concluded, Han-seong changed the subject.

“Then shall we talk about what we couldn’t earlier.”

“You mean about the conscription officer from Sejong?”

Han-seong nodded.

The Sejong Provisional Government and the Suwon Provisional Government.

Martial law and mobilization orders. And the incident regarding ‘Hwaseong’ mentioned at the end. He wanted to know about all the situations, and Ji-hye sighed.

“Phew, where should I start with this…”

“If it’s hard to explain, just tell me in chronological order. That would be easier for me to listen to as well.”

“…Alright. Then I’ll start from when I arrived at Suwon Airfield.”

About a week ago from now.

The morning of the day she arrived at Suwon Airfield with Ha-eun’s group after parting ways with Han-seong. Recalling the memories of that time, Ji-hye soon began her story.