episode_0573

From the inception of the Hunter Society to the present.

Renowned scientists in each field continued to research dungeons in their own way.

Some people want it, others don’t, but they have no choice.

Because everyone knows.

The fact that knowledge is power.

Rifts, dungeons, monsters.

At the same time, the mysterious power given to humans.

Knowing that we can only survive by understanding and utilizing them more deeply.

A crisis is an opportunity.

Did you say that if you want to die, you will live?

While the world is in danger, rapid progress has also been achieved.

Develop new drugs and new materials using herbs and minerals occasionally found in dungeons, and use magic stones that can be obtained by killing monsters as a new energy source.

Resources found in dungeons have become essential resources in modern society.

That’s why hunters’ salaries are so high compared to regular jobs.

Of course, not only benefits were discovered through research.

As well as the benefits, there are also dangerous factors.

An EX-level dungeon where you never know when it might explode.

Destroyed cities and casualties due to the occasional appearance of disaster-level monsters.

And even outlaws who seek to satisfy their own self-interest through transcendent power.

In this way, the hunter society continues.

Good and evil.

It is not easily biased towards either the beneficial or the harmful, but in a dangerous manner.

But I was still anxious.

The hunter’s survival rate and dungeon attack success rate have increased dramatically.

Various measuring devices that identify signs of cracks one step ahead, barriers to prepare for emergencies, etc.

Although they thoroughly prepared for the signs of disaster and the aftermath, they still could not find a way to prevent the disaster before it occurred.

why?

This is because, despite a long period of research, nothing has been revealed about the identity of cracks and dungeons.

By what principle did things begin to emerge on Earth?

For what purpose?

Where on earth does a dungeon exist?

Is it even a real place in the first place?

Environment, language, constituent materials, etc.

It was so different from the world we live in that it was difficult to know where to start, so much so that it took years to uncover even the smallest secret.

Because of this, I was very frustrated with the slow progress, but I was never impatient.

They were proud.

About the fact that the research so far has brought about great change in the world.

And I was confident.

Even though it may be slow, it is moving in the right direction.

Years, maybe even decades.

I am also motivated to see the end of this research.

But there was just one thing they overlooked.

[Emergency situation occurs.]

Whether the subject is human, nature, or something else.

The real disaster came without any signs or symptoms.

* * *

On top of a tall building.

People walking on the ground are extremely bored.

An expression that is tired of repetitive daily life.

They may have found it dull and boring, but the man watching thought differently.

“It’s peaceful.”

That was peace.

War, battle, murder, carnage, struggle, poverty, crisis, ordeal.

A boredom that can only be enjoyed by those who have taken a step or two back from them, if not very far.

If that is not peace, what else can you call it?

“Silly things.”

So the man felt sorry for them.

peace.

Some people enjoy something as if it were a given, something that they want for their whole life but can only obtain after death.

How dare you feel that it is not peace, but boredom.

“I feel nauseous.”

So much so that I can’t bear it.

They must know.

How many people have sacrificed and are sacrificing for the peace they enjoy?

How valuable and precious is the peace they enjoy now.

“You guys have to realize.”

The method of enlightenment is not that difficult.

All you have to do is take away the peace that you deceived by familiarity and deem insignificant.

Life at stake.

You will realize that the person next to you is dying mercilessly, that you will run away while watching, and that you will be able to slowly soothe your shortness of breath, wondering if even a sound of your breathing will escape in the rubble of the collapsed building, where you never know when you will be discovered.

How precious was everyday life back then.

How thankful I am for the dedication of those who face this fear every time.

That’s why.

I decided to plan and execute this project.

I chant softly into the earphone microphone in my ear.

“Are the preparations complete?”

“Yes. You can start at any time when you give the signal.”

All preparations are complete.

Although the process was quite difficult, that is a story of the past.

The more difficult it was, the more perfect the preparation became.

So I am confident.

This disaster will never be prevented without causing any damage.

It won’t end until they realize something.

No, I won’t let it end.

Never.

I pledge once more and issue orders to those spread out across Seoul.

“Start.”

That one word was enough.

To bring disaster to this world.

People waiting on the rooftops of high-rise buildings in various parts of Seoul are pointing huge guns at them.

“Firing.”

At the command, the huge gun muzzle flashes fire and fires a huge bullet.

Pow!

pop!

Puff puff poop!

It wasn’t trivial things like bullets or missiles.

The name of the fired bullet is Calling Signal.

It was a mechanical device that forcibly summoned cracks waiting to manifest throughout the world.

* * *

“Move quickly!”

Association employees rush to meet a sudden emergency.

You walk between them, get into a prepared car, and have the situation explained to you.

“Currently, cracks have been created throughout Seoul. The number currently reported is 51. Considering that reports have continued to come in since then, it is unclear how many more there will be.”

My head feels dizzy.

51 throughout Seoul.

There are still endless reports there?

No, better than that.

“Why didn’t anyone know until then? Whenever a crack is created, there are clear signs.”

Before a crack is created, the concentration of surrounding magic increases exponentially.

There are numerous machines installed throughout Seoul to measure these concentrations.

So I was curious.

What did you do until the crack was created, and now you’re rushing to do it?

Then, the employee in charge of the explanation wiped the sweat from his forehead and said something shocking.

“Well, that… , it is said that this crack did not show any signs.”

“… … ?”

“In all, the magic concentration increased only after the cracks grew to a level visible to the naked eye.”

“That… , Is it possible?”

A man shaking his head with a dark expression.

“I don’t know. It was said that this was the first time such a case had occurred, and all related departments, including the association and observation center, were turned upside down.”

“Huh.”

What on earth is going on?

The fact that the cracks appeared in wave form was a major crisis in itself, but it was not unprecedented.

Once in America.

And once in China and Argentina.

Lastly, twice to Japan and the UK.

There was a time when the entire country was thrown into great confusion due to cracks that suddenly appeared in droves.

Thanks to this, although we suffered great damage, we did not suffer damage that would shake the foundation of the country.

This is because we knew in advance about the formation of cracks through the measuring device and prepared quickly.

But the wave that occurred in Korea was clearly strange.

Dozens of cracks and break events appeared while fooling even the measuring instruments.

We may not know, but it is obvious that we will suffer greater damage than the countries that preceded us.

“Aaagh!”

“Ugh!”

“ too, run away… !”

“Don’t push! Argh!”

The sight of the loons unfolding beyond the running window.

The monster has not appeared yet.

A crack opens, and the world becomes a mess with only the sounds of animals coming from there.

You can’t just pass by when you see that.

Open the door of a running car.

“Just keep running. I’ll follow along while organizing the surroundings.”

“Ah, yes… !”

Throw yourself out.

Before my entire body is crushed by the fast-passing road, I recite the starter word.

「Fly.」

Whiuuuung

A body rising from the spot.

Fly up and check the situation.

“Baby! Where is my baby!”

“Ah, move forward quickly!”

“Ahh! I told you not to push!”

A mess.

Nothing else comes to mind other than that word.

Selfish actions to survive only for oneself and not for others.

I don’t feel sorry for them or view them as selfish.

Isn’t that obvious?

The desire to survive in the fear of death.

“Grandma, hurry this way!”

“The baby is here with me!”

“Ah, thank you! Thank you!”

People who cherish others as much as themselves, even in the face of death.

It’s just that they are noble.

There are two ways to resolve this messy situation.

Eliminate the source of fear.

Or force order into them.

“First of all, the first one won’t be possible.”

It is impossible for any country to deal with dozens of cracks at once.

Then the only thing left is the latter.

It uses its vast magical power to knead the surrounding land.

Coo coo coo coo… !

Soon, huge walls rise up and divide the main street into several paths.

The aisle is wide enough for one person to enter and exit comfortably.

After extending such a passageway to the shelter, add one more thing.

Immediately relieved.

[iced coffee. Can you hear me well?]

He uses his magic power to raise his voice and show off his presence to them.

[This is S-class hunter Kim Do-jin.]

A means to quell overwhelming fear, and hope.

“Ki, Kim Do-jin Hunter… !”

“It’s real!”

“We survived!”

“Kim Do-jin Hunter! Please get rid of them quickly!”

A flood of support and demands.

speak to them

[Yes, everything will be cleared out soon, so please follow that road and move to the shelter. There is no problem if you walk slowly, so don’t push or rush the person in front of you.]

Add a little warning here.

[If there is someone who behaves unruly, I will keep an eye on them and punish them, so please follow what I say.]

I see some faces turning white.

Ah, it’s thrilling.

If Son Si-woo had said something like this, there would have been an uproar as soon as the situation was over.

This is so convenient.

“Now that this part has been sorted out… .”

I turn my back to those who calmly walk down the aisle one after another without disobeying me.

The confusion has only partially been resolved, but it is still widespread.

Moreover, the sound of monsters walking beyond the crack is getting closer and closer.

“How… .”

Quickly turn your head and think of the best response.

Then, suddenly, I got curious, so I looked out the window of a running car and asked an employee of the association.

“The activation of the barrier near the crack seems to be delayed. Is something going on?”

“Yes? Oh, that… , please wait a moment.”

Barrier.

In that case, damage could be minimized until the hunters who received the summons order arrive at each area.

It was right then.

Tiring!

Message arrived on the employee’s smartphone.

Upon confirming this, his face becomes filled with astonishment.

“K, it’s a big deal.”

“No, something big is happening here… .”

“Barrier… , it says it is not activated… !”

“… … !”

It was a really big deal.