Chapter 7

Fortunately, the wound doesn't seem too deep, so it should be fine just leaving it.

"Just wash it, and it should be fine."

"But it might get worse... When the sun comes up, go out and try to find something."

"Yes. What about this wolf?"

The white wolf was sitting calmly in its spot.

Even sitting, it's bigger than Miss Soojin.

'It's completely like a dog.'

A large, scary dog with sharp teeth.

"Probably when the level goes up, the summon will be canceled and can be resummoned. That's how it was in the game I used to play..."

Miss Soojin said in a low voice.

"Why are you embarrassed about playing games? For now, just put it in the research facility. Since it's still a bit before sunrise, rest and move later."

"Yes. Thank you. Really."

'Phew. Did calisthenics on a moonlit night.'

Still, there was a satisfying gain.

I glanced at the now fortified tower and went into the container to lie down.

* * *

"Mr. Jinwoo."

Miss Soojin's voice came from outside the container.

"Ahem. Yes, yes. I'm coming."

I cleared my hoarse voice and hurried outside.

Miss Soojin pointed to the research facility with a bright smile.

"Have some food. I prepared it from the warehouse."

"Oh. Thank you."

'I did well to bring in the villagers.'

Although it's packaged food, it's been a while since someone prepared a meal for me.

When I entered the research facility, a bowl of beef soup was on the table.

"Ah. Good."

It seems the food retains its state when stored.

Although it's not a hot soup, it's still edible.

The white wolf had taken a spot next to the sofa and was lying down.

"He's very peaceful."

"He's gentle. More than I thought. And cute."

"Gentle...?"

The large, sharp teeth I saw up close in the early morning.

Miss Soojin's concept of cuteness seems a bit off.

"Does he eat?"

"He doesn't seem to need it. It's treated like a game summon."

"Convenient. Feeding and cleaning up after him would be a hassle."

At that moment, a new message appeared on the status window.

The mission message said to seal a specific portal.

'An orc village? Do you know where it is?'

There's no signboard above the portal, and how would I know which is an orc settlement?

"Why?"

Miss Soojin asked, seeing my stiff face.

"A mission. It says to destroy an orc village and seal the portal."

"What's the orc village portal?"

"That's the problem. Don't you have a mission?"

"A mission? Where does it show up?"

"Look carefully to the side of the status window."

Miss Soojin looked at the air and clapped her hands.

"Oh! I have one too! It says to increase intimacy with the summon."

"What a peaceful mission."

'Why am I the only one like this?'

Improving intimacy with the tower.

Using the hygiene facilities five times.

How good are these missions?

An orc village...

It was daunting.

To seal a portal without any clues.

I sighed and put my hand in my pocket, feeling something.

A white business card.

It has the phone number of Officer Kim from the National Intelligence Service.

'If the world is like this anyway...'

With the world in chaos, it's not bad to build a relationship with a place that gathers awakened individuals to fight monsters.

'For now, I'll drop some hints and find out where orcs appear.'

I regretted being a bit brusque last time.

I cleared my throat and called Officer Kim.

"Hello? Do you remember me? I'm Seo Jinwoo."

– Oh, you?

A slightly surprised voice came through.

Did he not expect me to call first?

"I'm going to seal a monster portal for you."

– What?

The voice on the other end of the phone was filled with shock at my casual statement.

Search and rescue

"Can I borrow a car?"

A sigh came through the phone.

"Seo Jinwoo, do you think this is a neighborhood errand service?"

"Inside the portal. Aren't you curious?"

"What, what?"

"I'm going to seal the portal. Can you lend me a car?"

"Wait a moment."

The casual tone suddenly turned formal, and the call was cut off.

'I need to show my presence early on.'

They're forming a government organization by gathering awakened individuals.

If I cooperate actively early on, I can have a comfortable life later.

'This is the time to become a founding hero.'

No one knows when all this will end.

To survive and plan for the future, I need to build a reputation early.

'Besides, these are a problem too.'

I sighed as I looked around the new facilities.

This place is officially farmland.

In other words, these buildings are all illegal structures.

Even if the world is in chaos now, there could be problems with illegal construction later.

That's when a solid network and reputation will be needed.

Vroom.

Screech.

A black van skidded to a stop on the road.

Officer Kim and a man in a suit got out.

"Wow, what's that?"

Officer Kim looked at the tower with a dazed expression.

"You came quickly. It's a good thing you were close."

It's about a 10-minute drive from Seocho Station to the National Intelligence Service.

"Mr. Seo Jinwoo, is what you said on the phone true?"

"Yes. But I'd like to hear a clear answer about the various conveniences and benefits the director mentioned."

Officer Kim nodded.

"Alright. But we haven't fully confirmed your abilities yet. Let's talk again after this operation."

It's a reasonable proposal.

I took out the GoPro I received from the director.

"Can I film the inside with this?"

"There's one more condition. This guy is also an awakened individual. Officer Kim. Introduce yourself."

"My name is Kim Cheolsu."

The man next to him nodded slightly and introduced himself.

He had a very ordinary face, the kind you often see on the subway during rush hour.

"Kim Cheolsu... Is that a pseudonym?"

Kim Cheolsu remained silent.

Officer Kim continued, tapping away on his phone.

"Would you mind going in with Officer Kim? And for safety, two more security personnel will accompany you."

"Alright. But I need a few things prepared before I return."

"What?"

"First, prepare various types of food, from vegetables to meat. Also, prepare several sets of standard-sized adult clothing."

"Food? Clothes?"

Officer Kim looked around and nodded.

"In this desolate area, you might need them. If the operation is successful, we'll provide whatever you need."

"Oh! About the portal. Can you find out where orcs appear?"

"Orcs?"

Officer Kim tilted his head.

"Yes. Orcs, orcs! Don't you know what they are?"

"I know what they are, but why specifically where orcs appear?"

Officer Kim continued to ask questions, tapping away on his phone.

'Hmm. Should I tell the truth?'

If there are awakened individuals among the staff, there's no need to hide information they'll eventually know.

"It's my awakened individual mission. To seal the orc village portal."

"Seal? Mission?"

Officer Kim looked up from his phone and at me.

"Yes. Awakened individuals receive unique missions, and completing them improves their abilities. Surely the intelligence agency knows this."

Officer Kim put his phone in his pocket.

"You seem willing to cooperate. I appreciate your honesty. We'll do our best to assist you."

'So they knew about missions too.'

"Find the nearest orc portal to Seocho Station."

After a moment, Officer Kim shouted.

"Hey, you idiot. It's urgent! Search the reports, whether from the police, fire department, or military!"

Officer Kim hung up with a satisfied look.

"A portal appeared at Yangjae Station intersection at 03:00 this morning. Orcs are coming out."

'Close.'

It's a perfect distance.

I searched Yangjae Station on internet forums for cross-verification.

Is the green muscle orc at Yangjae Station real?

– Are all the monsters in front of the village in every online game this strong? Burger King is in ruins. A portal seems to have appeared in the early morning.

┗ They've even set up camp in the underground passage.

┗ What are the soldiers doing? Why aren't they killing them quickly?

┗ What am I supposed to do if this blocks my way to work?

┗ Is it really time to go to work in this situation? Haha.

┗ I'm so frustrated. I'm supposed to become a regular employee next month.

┗ The military is in chaos. They probably went to other places first.

┗ If there's an awakened individual, they should go and deal with it. I need to go to work.

┗ What a villain for going to work. Haha.

┗ Really. Haha.

┗ I awakened as a bug yesterday. Is it possible to seduce an orc?

┗ Next time, whatever.

Where to go is decided.

"Wait a moment. I'll be right back."

I opened the research facility door slightly and approached Miss Soojin.

"I'm going to Yangjae Station. The orc village is there."

"Let's go together!"

"How can I take this with me?"

I pointed to the white wolf.

If I take it, I'll become an internet sensation overnight.

Miss Soojin nodded in understanding.

"True, that's right..."

"Miss Soojin, please guard this place. Just in case."

"Should I just stay next to the tower?"

"Yes."

"Got it!"

I put a frying pan in my bag.

"Sorry for the delay. Let's go."

We got in the car and headed for Yangjae Station.

* * *

The car entered Yangjae Citizen's Forest.

"Why are we here? We still have a bit to go."

"We need to attach security personnel."

Officer Kim entered the management office building with a familiar movement.

Two sturdy men in special tactical gear came up from the basement, carrying weapon cases.

Click, click.

The tactical team members equipped various weapons, including MP-5s and K2s.

I was curious.

"But, aren't they not awakened individuals? I'm not sure if ordinary people can enter the portal."

"They can enter."

Kim Cheolsu answered brusquely.

"Can enter? How?"

"We've already tested it. They entered but couldn't return. The tactical team members are still there."

'Couldn't return? Ah, mission!'

I recalled the Seocho Station portal experience.

The way back disappeared as soon as I entered.

I completed the mission and automatically exited the portal.

'Without an awakened individual, there's no mission, and no portal?'

This needs to be confirmed later.

If so, I could get trapped if I enter a portal without a mission.

After the preparations, Officer Kim took the wheel.

We all got in the car, and I asked the tactical team member next to me.

"Which portal did your colleagues enter?"

"Last night... They entered the orc portal that appeared in Seocho."

'Orc portal...'

"Ah... That's unfortunate."

The already awkward atmosphere became even more somber.

"At least let's introduce ourselves... I'm Seo Jinwoo."

"I'm Team Leader Lee Jangho."

"I'm Kim Seungwoo."

"We'll be arriving soon. Everyone, get ready."

The destroyed Yangjae Station intersection came into view.

As written on the internet, the orcs had entered the underground passage, and the portal on the ground was shining alone.

"Awoke individual, are there any precautions?"

Team Leader Lee Jangho looked at the portal with a tense expression.

"You might be surprised by the sudden change in the environment when you enter."

"Environment?"

"Yes. In my case, I entered a goblin portal. It was a very hot and humid jungle."

Team Leader Lee Jangho nodded and equipped his gear.

I attached the GoPro to the helmet I received.

"Let's go. Good luck."

With Officer Kim's brief send-off, we slowly entered the portal.

* * *

A quiet mountain village appeared.

This time, it wasn't hot and humid.

The lush forest was bathed in warm sunlight.

'As expected.'

I sighed in relief.

I wasn't attacked immediately upon entry, and a mission appeared, so I can solve it and return.

Kim Cheolsu looked at the air with a stiff expression.

"Why?"

"I also received a mission. To seal the orc village portal."

"Didn't you have one before?"

"No."

'Good information.'

If one person has a mission, it seems to be shared among awakened individuals.

'What happens if an awakened individual without a mission enters?'

If a mission is generated upon entry, it's possible to earn points by sealing easy portals.

'I need to test this later.'

If I get trapped here by bad luck, it would be a big problem.

"Where are we going?"

The tactical team members loaded their guns.

"I don't know. There's no friendly navigation telling me which direction to go. But it's probably nearby, like before."

The tactical team members nodded and took the lead.

"Since it's a village, it won't be on the mountain. Let's search while descending."

We carefully made our way through the forest, setting a direction.

It was a silent forest.

There should be birds and animals, but there were none.

The only sound was the rustling of leaves in the occasional breeze.

"Mr. Kim Cheolsu, what was the last content you experienced?"

"What do you mean?"

"Awakening. I saw on the internet that a bald uncle's hair grew while watching a romance."

"That's a bit hard to say."

"But we're going to fight together, can't you tell me?"

"Mr. Seo Jinwoo, what did you awaken to?"

When Kim Cheolsu asked, the tactical team members also showed interest, glancing over.

"I awakened while playing a game."