episode_0043

Around 3 hours after the Jeju Island incident, in the afternoon, inside the multipurpose room on the first floor of the Awakening Association headquarters.

In that large, cream-colored space, dozens of B-class and above Awakened raiders who had arrived first in response to the nation’s call were huddled together.

“What the hell is going on? Suddenly a national disaster gate.”

“It must be the immaturity of the management bureau guys. Damn, I don’t have a good sense.”

“My friend was dispatched to Jeju Island and I can’t contact him right now. Has anyone heard about the situation in Jeju Island?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve been to Gate #51 and it’s small so you shouldn’t have any problems.”

They were in their mid to late 20s, sometimes up to their 40s. They were experienced players with a lot of experience, so to speak.

Even among those veterans, this incident was not an ordinary one. The crowd was divided into groups, with some confused, some complaining, some worried, and some trying to reassure.

In that somewhat disorganized and chaotic situation, Woojoo was sitting in a corner and talking quietly with his younger brother.

“I hope it’s not too dangerous, but it might be difficult?”

“Yeah. I can’t feel it now, but the wind I felt back then… .”

“Haa… I’m anxious.”

Woo-joo pressed his throbbing forehead as he watched his younger sister who was unable to continue speaking. She was also a veteran Awakened player who was clearly a B-class player and was soon to undergo an A-class evaluation.

Although the sisters were young and had probably been through fewer gate raids than the others who had been here for many years, they had the composure of having fought fierce battles many times. In terms of quality over quantity, they were no less than the others gathered here.

And the intuition that comes with that experience was strong.

A stinging and hot sensation, as if someone was scratching with their fingernails from the nape of their neck to their tailbone, was warning them of danger. It was the alarm bell ringing from the experiences engraved in their bodies.

It wasn’t just the universe, everyone gathered here was armed with the best equipment they could currently utilize.

Somehow, everyone seemed on edge and had anxious expressions on their faces.

“Hey, if you hit someone and pass them by, you should apologize. Do you want to die?”

“Hey, you might just brush past me a little bit, you’re really sensitive.”

“What?”

“Ah, be quiet. Are they the only ones using this?”

Anxiety gathers and forms an atmosphere, and some people, unable to bear the atmosphere, start quarrels with others for no reason. Some people, unable to get over it, end up getting quarreled with others.

“Quiet.”

The one who stopped them was a man who entered the multipurpose room last.

The man who came in receiving a report from a situation transmitter who appeared to be an employee of the management office was wearing a typical military uniform with a beret pulled down at an angle, unlike the others.

He must have been in his mid-30s. He was large in build, and the hair that was visible through his beret was neatly styled. His face, which looked thick and strong, had a long, diagonal scar.

“Don’t be noisy. This is real.”

“[Nulhaerang] It’s Song Chanseop… !”

“That youngest S-class Awakener? He broke through the A-class Gate alone?”

“This is my first time seeing the real thing.”

As the commotion continued, Song Chan-seop closed his mouth for a moment, wiggled his jaw muscles, and then kicked his feet vigorously.

Kwung! The sturdy granite floor cracked loudly, the sound echoing throughout the multipurpose room.

“Be quiet. As of now, I will arbitrarily call the people gathered here the number 1 suicide squad. I, Song Chan-seop, will be in charge. Before I convey the situation and preach the plan, if there is anyone who disagrees, please raise your hand.”

“… … .”

No one raised a hand. Only then did Song Chan-seop, who seemed satisfied with the internal situation that had been sorted out, let out a short snort and opened the report he had received from the broadcaster.

“As I said, this is the current situation. Jeju Island’s #51 Gate [Red Plains] has expanded due to the volcanic activity of Mt. Halla. Therefore, our first objective is to rescue the citizens of Jeju City who were unable to escape, and to eliminate the monsters that have flooded the city center. The people who are currently gathered will be dispatched to the scene first via [Warp] in about 30 minutes. If you have any questions, please raise your hand.”

One by one, hands went up.

“Are other S-class attack series awakened players also participating?”

“The first unit to be assembled will be led by this commander, and the second unit to be assembled later will be led by [Saul Abi], who is currently returning from overseas. [Heenari], who is preparing the [Multiple Space Jump] skill with the Management Bureau for [Warp], will also participate after completing all jumps.”

“Due to the sudden summons, the amount of potions I brought is insufficient. Can I receive them separately?”

“Exit the multipurpose room and go to the medical team on the right to expand the first aid supplies. However, as I said, we will be dispatched in 30 minutes, so prepare quickly and return here.”

“Will there be any compensation when this is over?”

“Of course. I have no intention of using those who have come to serve the country for free. Don’t worry, you will be rewarded according to your merits, whether it be to your [guild] or to an individual. If you are dissatisfied with the rewards you received later, tell me. After clarifying the pros and cons, I will either give you additional rewards or compensate you on a personal level as the commander.”

“They say it’s a national disaster, but what is the level of the gate that went out of control?”

“There has been no separate transmission yet. However, if the situation becomes dangerous, the commander will issue a retreat order at his discretion, so don’t worry about that.”

“Are there any other questions up to here?”

Song Chan-seop looked around the multipurpose room. Some people were hesitating as if they had something to say, while others were already busy organizing as if they had nothing more to say.

[Neulhaerang] nodded once and opened her mouth again.

“I know you feel somewhat confused and complicated. But it is a job to save people and eliminate dirty monsters from beyond the dimension. I don’t expect a sense of mission. However, approach the operation with the mindset of doing what you should do as a human being. Be strong. This is the path to save people.”

Song Chan-seop turned around. His boots made a rough sound as they stepped on the floor tiles. He sat down in the corner of the multipurpose room.

“We will be leaving in 30 minutes. So that everyone can finish their personal maintenance before then.”

-.-.-

Could it be because the participation of S-class Awakened players was so reassuring?

The atmosphere in the multipurpose room was somewhat more relaxed than before. Now, some people were moving around to show off their [guild] or expand their network by introducing themselves or reciting personal information.

In the midst of all that hustle and bustle, the only ones who remained motionless were my sister and Song Chan-seop, who sat upright.

The wide, spreading air broadened the field of vision and made people’s mouths lighter.

Someone also took interest in the sister who was not part of the group and stood far away.

“Look over there, it’s [Honeybaram].”

“That two-person independent sister party. I heard that you became the youngest A-class this time.”

“You’ve only been promoted to A-class for so long, and now you’ve even received a [title]? That’s amazing.”

It was a soft voice, but none of the people gathered here were so deaf that they could not hear it.

“Tsk, even so, they’re independent. They’re doing well among themselves without even a [guild].”

“The young ones will come and chat with us and become friendly, so don’t act all arrogant.”

“I heard that you’re not on good terms with the production department.”

In the midst of the slightly bland but exciting ‘winds’ mixed with admiration and surprise, I felt a ‘wind’ mixed with jealousy and envy that was trembling and clinging to the skin.

Eunha unconsciously grabbed the [wildflower] on her waist. Then, somehow, her heart felt at ease.

The universe’s eyes turned bright for a moment, but soon it turned its attention away with a snort.

What didn’t catch my attention was the other side.

“It’s noisy. If you have the time to judge others, you should at least do some personal maintenance.”

A heavy and serious voice rang in my ears. Song Chan-seop, who was standing with his back straight behind the noisy crowd, was scolding me.

A sharp gaze like that of the Diamond Age glared at them. A few who felt stung shrank their necks and looked away.

“Ugh… .”

“And if you think about it, I am also tied to the country, and am an independent person who has not joined a [guild]. Avoid treating people with prejudice.”

“… … .”

As the sound of the criticism died down, Song Chan-seop finally turned his attention away from them and turned to his sister.

The fluorescent light blocked the bear-like large body, casting a wide shadow.

“Don’t pay attention to those who use their tongue lightly. The strong are like a reigning tiger, they don’t meddle in gossip and they don’t use their bodies recklessly. Isn’t that right, [Hanibaram].”

His serious voice was reassuring. As he watched [Honey Wind], a small smile appeared on his lips, and the fierce scar on his face began to fade a little, revealing a softness between the heavy hardness.

but-

“Excuse me, it’s not me who got promoted to Class A. It’s my younger brother here.”

The problem was that his gaze was not directed at the galaxy, but at the universe. The universe smiled awkwardly, touching the tip of its hair as if embarrassed, and the galaxy puffed out its cheeks.

The feeling is firm and solid. But a cool and pleasant breeze blew through the cracks in the rocks. He is a good person. He is a good person-

“? Don’t joke around. This little, bland kid is [Hanibaram]?”

Something, I’m pissed! Galaxy opened her mouth, grumbling.

“It’s not a child! It’s not small! It goes where it should go and comes out where it should come out!”

“That’s like comparing a persimmon to a persimmon. Where in that hard, unripe body is there a soft, ripe side? And a child shouldn’t say such things.”

“Ouch! Iik!”

Eunha, who was stamping her feet, felt something strange. The tone of voice was as firm as a soldier, but the figure was as big as a bear, and the fierce yet kind eyes reminded her of someone.

Is this an illusion?

“It was a joke. Was it a little funny?”

“It wasn’t fun at all!”

“I see. At least I’m glad the tension has eased.”

A hand wearing a tough and sturdy leather glove was placed on Eunha’s head. Rubbing it gently, Song Chan-seop opened his mouth.

“Shoulder up. I guess this is your first time in a large-scale battle since you’re a two-person party. I understand.”

“… .”

“The concentration of mana flowing through his body is thick and clear. He is a talented person who will soon take the title of youngest S-class. It would be a shame to waste his talent here. Don’t push yourself too hard and follow along well.”

“… … Yes.”

Looking at [Neulhaerang] who was smiling like an uncle, Eunha somehow felt lost for words. When the girl just rolled her eyes and answered softly, Song Chanseop stopped his hand with a satisfied nod and walked to the center of the multipurpose room.

As Song Chan-seop arrived in the middle of the multipurpose room, the alarm on his wristwatch rang.

30 minutes have passed.

“Everyone, get ready! [Warp] will begin soon through the magic circle drawn in this room. In case of an unexpected situation, read each other’s mana patterns in advance so that you can ‘whisper’ at any time.”

Whisper was a slang term referring to [communication] or [telepathy] skills.

Among those who work in fixed parties, some use group channels by matching their mana patterns and frequencies, and among those who work individually, there are often those who block this by using [skills] that strengthen mental barriers with mana or block interference.

Just in case, they each displayed faint mana patterns on their bodies and tuned into each other’s frequencies so they could communicate without opening their mouths over a wider range.

Song Chan-seop himself also raised his mana and whispered to someone.

[Okay, let’s begin.]

[Yes. Good luck to you.]

As soon as [Heenari] answered his whisper, the orange mana filling the room began to glow. Flash! When he blinked, there was no one in the multipurpose room.